Get That 50,000-Mile Check-Up
 
See a Counselor Once a Year To Guide Your Career

Some people, like Tom Lewis featured in our cover story, make propitious moves early in their careers. But many people fall into the wrong career at the outset. Young people think that they'll find out what they want to do by taking a job, trying it out, and then moving on to try something else. We meet them ten years later—unhappily trying to sort out what they should do with their lives.

 Chances are, your career could be even better than it is. Even Tom realized that he needed guidance at a certain point. In today's volatile market, more people receive regular career coaching. I have had some clients for a dozen or more years—many of whom have never left their places of employment but have moved ahead by managing their careers better. Think about regular coaching for yourself.

The Virtual Branch of
The Five O'Clock Club:
Right in Your Living Room

 When I began the Five O'Clock Club, I envisioned "a Club in every living room" so everyone—even people in small towns—would have access to our help. In such nurturing surroundings, and guided by employee advocates, job hunters would learn our methods, realize their career goals, and enjoy a more fulfilled life.

 This had been the "impossible dream"—until now. Because of our Virtual Branch, the Five O'Clock Club program, process and counselors are now accessible to everyone, but with greater convenience. In fact, through our Virtual Branch, Clubs are now being "run" in dozens of living rooms from Maine to Hawaii.

 Career consulting is an easy-entry field: anyone can get in. But not every career consultant can be associated with The Five O'Clock Club.  Those associated with the Club are employee advocates. This network of employee counselor/ advocates furthers our goal of providing the most effective programs at the most affordable prices. As employee advocates, our counselors empower job hunters by teaching people how to succeed in today's workplace. And as employee advocates, they guide people toward goals some may not even know they had.

 It is our goal to be known in every city and town as an organization that cares—one that helps people find jobs. The process is thorough. Virtual Branch members receive 16 taped Five O'Clock Club presentations and listen to one lecture per week in their home or car.

 The weekly small group strategy sessions are held by teleconference with a senior Five O'Clock Club consultant. As at our physical branches, members are assigned to a group of their peers. Members find it exciting and interesting to be on a conference call with peers from other geographic areas—with the added convenience of talking from their homes, or anywhere else.

 Finally, each small group has a private message board on www.fiveoclockclub.com so small group members can exchange resumes, cover letters and Personal Marketing Plans.

 So make sure you keep your career in order—wherever you are!

 Kate Wendleton 

 President and Editor-in-Chief