WHAT I SHOULD WANT VS. WHAT I WANT

“I was experiencing very low job satisfaction and to top things off I wasn’t seeing any job postings out there that excited me. I also felt guilty about not loving my job, which, on the outside, looks very successful. I knew a lot of people would want a position like mine, so I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t love it. I was having trouble pinpointing what it was about the job I did not like, and I was also having trouble visualizing my ideal situation. In other words, I felt pretty unhappy and trapped.

… Priscilla helped me to first of all, identify the dialogue in my head that was always telling me what I “should” be feeling or doing. There was a lot of that going on! Then she helped me understand some of the underlying reasons that kept me “stuck” in similar situations. Then we worked on finding what my strengths are and from there narrowed it down to one or two fields of interest. What I liked the most was that we always explored the underlying beliefs behind certain patterns of behaviours. I learned to give myself permission to dislike certain situations and to really allow myself to think about a career in much broader terms.

Now I have a much more clear idea of what my next ideal situation looks like. There is a lot less anxiety around a “job search” as now I look at it as a natural progression of talent, experience and connections developed over time. I understand that relationships are likely where opportunities will come from, so I will focus on building a strong network and connections. I also give myself permission to really think about what I want, not what I “should” want. I also think of career in much broader terms and began to see some strengths that I had forgotten (like creativity and music!) and try to incorporate them more into my life.  Finally, I am much more aware and in touch with my thought process, so I can spot when old fears and voices are approaching and am better able to keep them at bay. Thanks Priscilla!

Alex, Edmonton, AB

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY

I was in a sales position for about a year that was not 100% fulfilling. I was not sure if I did not want to do sales anymore or just did not like sales where I was working. The company culture was also stressful and far from the type of place that I was used to working in. The thought of going to work was draining and I felt like I needed a change BUT I was also aware of not wanting to just “change” for the sake of it. I wanted to make sure that when I changed jobs, it would be for something that I was excited about in the long term and that it was in an environment that was aligned with my values.

I had already had several career changes in the past so I had a lot of apprehension about changing once again and finding myself in the wrong position or working in a company that was not the right fit. 

The Dare to Dream Program allowed me to “dig deep” into myself: the approach gives you the tools to ask yourself the right questions, get some perspective on your current situation and understand where you want to go next.

It did take me a few months of self-reflection  and putting the tools to use to actually understand what changes I wanted. And then I was ready to “do the work” and implement those changes.

When I felt like I was ready for the change, I started the online job search support group which was the perfect amount of coaching needed to understand the tools that I needed to actively get on the right track.

I have a much better grasp on what steps I need to take to find that job that I love. I also am very clear on my professional strengths, skills and environments in which I will thrive. The work I did with Priscilla was necessary for me to start seeing what I truly want to do versus “what I should be doing”. And although it does require actively putting in the time to find that position, the fact that I know I am looking for the right opportunity, makes it feel very easy. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time in the search (which was very different in the past when I did a job search).

So THANK YOU Priscilla for sharing these programs with me!

Sandrine J., New York, NY, USA

READY FOR CHANGE

They say that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. I really do believe this, especially now. While I have enjoyed some success in my life and career, I have always struggled with finding purpose and contentment. I have been a wanderer, living a rather unfocused and often ungrateful life dwelling on the things that were wrong and drowning in the self-defeat of being a victim. In 2017, I decided I had had enough and set off in search of myself, looking high and low but always grasping at an ephemeral vision that never lingered long enough for me to truly see it. But I resolved to continue, albeit still very much in the fog. Along the way, I received an email from Concordia promoting a webinar with Priscilla that was dealing with exactly the sort of journey I had embarked upon. In the past, I had been rather skeptical and even dismissive of “self-help” style programs; these “gurus” were just hucksters out to make a quick buck on the misery of others. This time though, I thought I would give it a chance so I signed up and listened to the presentation. Priscilla was most assuredly NOT another huckster. She spoke with assurance and conviction and her words resonated deeply. I reached out to her afterwards to speak one on one and I immediately knew she could help me. I, the student, was ready.  In the weeks and months that followed, Priscilla challenged me to have a careful look at myself and to really pay attention to what was going on within. She taught me the value of positive thinking (which is NOT the cliché I thought it was but rather a very subtle and very powerful technique that takes continuous practice). She challenged me directly and called me out on self-defeating thought-patterns. She taught me to visualize what my life could be and to actually believe in the vision. While she often referred to revered works in the canon of self-improvement, she always made sure to present this wisdom holistically and always attached to action. I found myself reading some of the works she referred to and I found that viewing them through the lens of Priscilla’s program enriched the works themselves as much as the works enriched the program. In the weeks since the end of the program, I have continued to make great strides in advancing my life and LIVING it. I have more work to do but I now have a great toolkit to do it with. And I know that if I need a tune-up, Priscilla is only an email away. If you are searching for yourself and you are ready to put in the effort and truly invest yourself in becoming the best possible you, I unreservedly recommend working with Priscilla. She will help you channel the power that has always resided within. If you are ready, she is a great teacher.
A. Diodati

JOB SEARCH STRUGGLES

Despite the fact that I had two employment counsellors for almost 16 months, I did not know how to properly look for a job. Although I am well educated, I was struggling and was not aware how to open the closed door or overcome the barriers. I was sending 100s of resumes, but heard nothing. Most of the time I was told that I am over qualified. I was struggling and was stressed out. I didn’t know how to tackle the hidden job market and build a professional network. Thank God I met Priscilla!!! She took my hand and showed me the right path to walk, and the right way to find my dream job. I wish I had met Priscilla 3 years ago when I landed in Canada. I received very helpful insights regarding how to position myself during the Dream Career Job Search Program. How to achieve niche skills that are important in order to hunt for jobs within the hidden job market. Also, how to use the perfect vocabulary to write my resume and cover letter. When she reviewed my resume in one on one sessions, there were a number of mistakes and errors that neither me and my employment counsellors realised. After the resume review and suggestions, I have been feeling proud to send my resume or to show it to other people. Now, I do not feel I am over qualified. Since completing the program, I have been offered a position with Election Canada. This is a big achievement. Thank you Priscilla for your time and effort, you empowered me to enter the Canadian job market with confidence.
Soraya M., Ottawa, ON

DREAM CAREER JOB SEARCH

After working as an entrepreneur for about 3 years as a Coach, I decided I wanted to go back into the corporate world because I missed being part of a team. At the beginning of the job search process (during Covid-19), I was convinced it was going to be a long and hard journey and no one was going to hire me. When I joined Priscilla’s Job Search Support Group in mid-June 2020, I decided to have a one on one coaching session with her to get extra support and make sure I was clear on my vision and strategy. During this session, she shared with me one of her success stories where one of her clients had applied all of her tips and strategies and had experienced a successful job search. At that moment, I decided I would be her next client success story and just do everything she said. An opportunity came up that I was interested in and Priscilla saw that I was a perfect fit for the position. This increased my confidence and allowed me to pull on my past experiences to support my application and to start to believe that I was indeed the best candidate for the position. This was also catalyzed by Priscilla’s confidence in me and the ways in which she helped me prepare for the interview and the application. I was called back the day I sent in my resume! After 3 interviews and a lot of additional support from Priscilla, I am proud to say that I was hired as the Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategist for Invest Ottawa! I applied to 3 jobs total before I got an interview and I got hired within 3 months! Priscilla was the best cheerleader and asked questions that really helped me stretch my mind and prepare myself as the best candidate for the job that I always was, but didn’t realize until I worked with her.
Rita Valeriano, Ottawa, ON

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