Linda Rolie ’77 Authors Layoff Survival Guide for Job Hunters
Linda Rolie ’77 received her bachelor’s degree from the UO in Community Health Education and went on to receive her master’s in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College. She opened her own business Career Counseling Services in 2001. Rolie’s book “Getting Back to Work” was published in August 2009. UOAA staff Lauren Peters ’05 asked Rolie about her time at the UO, her career path and her experience as a career counseling professional.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your major and what you learned from your degree at the UO?
The undergraduate degree I earned was a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education, currently Human Physiology. My degree included a secondary teaching certificate. The education was rich in health sciences, including human anatomy (cadavers), human physiology, chemical substances (drugs in society), statistics, bacteriology, pathophysiology, human development, and a component of public health to list a few.
Q. Outside the classroom, I see that you were involved in Alpha Phi sorority. How has this involvement affected your career (leadership, ability to network, experience, etc)?
Alpha Phi Sorority provided an excellent leadership opportunity in a VP/Pledge Trainer position developing skills in relationship building, management, writing, policies/procedures, events coordination, facilitation, public speaking, and more. The position responsibilities helped me gain confidence as well as qualification statements on my resume. This position, combined with the networking contacts, helped me land the first job I applied for after graduation.
Q: How did your degree in Community Health Education prepare you?
This degree included a secondary teaching certificate and launched my first career as a high school heath education teacher (I wasn't planning on teaching but needed a job). The teaching background, combined with health sciences, allowed me to transition and acquire employment with a national workers compensation insurance company where I was hired to develop a vocational rehabilitation program assisting injured workers return to work. The Community Health Education program provided an excellent background for understanding medically-related fields and terminology in health care, and I soon became proficient speaking with physicians and claims managers in identifying and coordinating suitable re-employment options.
Q: What was your career path like after college? Did you go into the health profession?
In my second job, the insurance company offered to reimburse me for half of the tuition for graduate level counseling classes as applicable for assisting people with disabilities acquire employment. This opportunity led to completing a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark College. At age 28 with a masters degree and a new job as a vocational rehabilitation consultant for a private rehab firm, I wanted to explore one of my career dreams to work in a college environment. I accepted several part-time instructor positions teaching psychology at Mt. Hood and Clackamas community colleges as well as the first career counselor at Portland State University. All too soon, I realized that I was stretched too thin with three jobs and had to make some choices thus I stayed with the most practical one for me -voc rehab.
After about 10 years of experience with a variety of vocational rehabilitation firms, I was beginning to want to open my own vocational rehabilitation firm. One day I explored office rentals and the word got back to my boss who quickly terminated my employment. I had to either cut bait or fish. I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and launched Rolie Re-entry Services, Inc. With almost 10 years of self-employment and a total of 20 years of voc rehab experience, I was ready for a new professional challenge at the same time legislative changes and attrition was reducing case referrals. "But what career change?" was my dilemma. To keep paying the bills after closing my company, I accepted what I refer to in my book as a 'transitional bridge job." Not my dream job, but good enough for the interim.
Q: When did you begin career counseling and why?
In 2001, after 5 million people lost their jobs (including myself), I had to answer the question, "What do I really want to do for work?" The remnant that remained is that I understand the challenges people experience in career transition and career crisis. I decided to re-package myself and opened my current business, Career Counseling Services. I wanted to attract high functioning professional-level career changers impacted by layoff, or, voluntarily seeking new professional growth opportunities. This led to one of my business niches, "outplacement" services, where companies hire me to help impacted employees as a result of layoff acquire new employment including my "Getting Back to Work" program in workshop format for job seekers.
Q. I know you’ve just written a book called “GETTING BACK TO WORK: Everything You Need to Bounce Back and Get a Job After a Layoff.” What was the inspiration and why did you decide to write the book?
I decided to write this book to expedite the transitional process of job seekers in career transition. Losing a job can be devastating-financially, professionally, and emotionally. I felt there was not a comprehensive book that addressed the full range of issues facing the newly unemployed and rebuilding a dream career. The book is a layoff survival guide for today's job hunters--what everyone needs to know about losing employment, getting inspired and motivated, and getting hired. After almost nine years in the writing, it contains much of what I know about successful job hunting from my 30 year career history. McGraw-Hill acquired the self-published version in April and rushed it to the shelves August, 2009.
Q. What is the most challenging thing about being self employed? And what are its advantages?
The uncertainty and tolerance for risk can be challenging emotionally and financially. There are periods of highs and lows and feasts and famines. I value the autonomy in decision-making and flexibility in my schedule.
Q. What is the most enjoyable thing about your job and helping people find the right career?
I love helping people gain a greater sense of confidence in themselves. I am an expert resume writer and consider each document a unique piece of art that accurately reflects the applicant in the best light. I enjoy helping job seekers identify a realistic career goal, get a solid plan of action, improve interview skills, negotiate salary and benefits, and acquire satisfying employment. After all, their success is my success! If I don't produce accountable results, I won't stay in business. I am proud that my clients are usually quick studies and their job placement rate is over 90% at or above their former salary.
Q. It’s a tough economy with jobs limited due to budget cutbacks, position qualifications increasing, and the unemployment rate at about 12.2% for Oregon and 9.8% nationally. What can job seekers do to make themselves stand out from the pack? And what’s your advice for finding the desirable jobs that aren’t posted on craigslist, monster, etc?
These are very good questions and many other frequently asked questions are ALL answered in my new book, GETTING BACK to WORK - Everything You Need to Bounce Back and Get a Job After a Layoff. And, it is very affordable for such a big book, available at Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Borders or Amazon.com For more information about the book (Table of Contents and Chapter 1), visit www.lindarolie.com.
Q. What are your suggestions for those who have just begun their job search after being let go?
Don’t panic. A well deserved break is necessary to assess what you are looking for in your next job. Do not just take the first job that is thrown at you. Stay calm and look for the right job. Reach out to anyone you’ve ever done business or rubbed elbows with. Use your LinkedIn connections. Ask questions.
Don’t let the fear and isolation stop you. Don’t sit behind the computer all day long. Expect that employers aren’t going to call you back. You’ve got to call them and follow up.
Q. Any advice for fellow UO alumni who are in the middle of the job search process or are looking to change careers?
Call me for an introductory consult. Remember, I've sat where you sit.
Q. What is your advice for young alumni who are just entering the workforce?
Move in with your parents if you have to (to save money). Getting a job in the field where you eventually want to be will help you in the long run. Look at where you see yourself in five years and work backward from there. When applying for a job, be sure to find out who the hiring manager is. Send your cover letter, application and recommendations (character references if you don’t have work experience) directly to the hiring manager.
Q. Can you describe the services you offer and how you could help someone with his/her job search?
You can email me and request my "Needs Checklist" or find it on my website, www.CareerCounselingServices.com. This helps prioritize what you may need and helps manage expectations. Everything from counseling to career development.
Q. Do you have any special memories about the UO?
It was the best time of my life. I had a wonderful experience all around. I remember the river, the roses in the park, Skinner Butte, walking to campus and my time with Alpha Phi sorority.
Linda Rolie can be reached at 541.482.2337 or rolie@careercounselingservices.com.