Business & Tech

The Job Search: A Q&A with Anne Headley, Career Counselor

University Park resident Anne Headley talks about the job market.

University Park resident Anne Headley runs a career counseling business out of her home. Headley, who holds a master's in women studies from George Washington University, was first attracted to the field of counseling in the 1970s.

She helps people locally who are struggling with unemployment or looking for a career change and have even helped a few people abroad.

Riverdale Park – University Park Patch: What made you want to get into career counseling?

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Anne Headley: After receiving my master's I was concerned with the position of women in society. It was the 70s and women were entering the workforce; it was an exciting time and I got caught up with counseling.

Patch: What type of people do you counsel?

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Headley: Many of my clients are already employed but aren't happy. They are hoping to position themselves to make a move. I advise people that they should keep the paycheck that's coming to them. Until they are ready to move they should take a course or two at the local community college, get involved with something else, like a hobby.  I've noticed that with the recession people have become more patient.

Patch: How are people reacting to the lack of jobs?

Headley: People are becoming more accepting of grabbing a temporary job. I guess before the recession people used to worry about looking like a derelict, but now no one's going to care if you have various jobs and do what you have to do.

Patch: Have you seen this sort of job slump before?

Headley: I've seen it before to a degree. When President Ronald Reagan was elected there was this huge fear of job loss, we thought it was the end of the world. Economists and statisticians have told me that full-time permanent jobs are the last to be added to a budget.  But people are frustrated because they interview for a job and it goes well, but then they don't get hired. Every time someone gets picked up for a three-month job, I'm happy.

Patch: What's your advice for those that are job hunting?

Headley: Leave your anger at home. The job search can be a frustrating experience but you need to fake it until you make it. It's a humbling experience.

For more information about Headley or her career counseling visit her website. She is currently collecting information and strategies on how people can leave a job professionally.


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