Today, we’d like you to meet Karen Litzinger, founder of Litzinger Career Consulting.
She’s the author of Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs of the Job Search.
Karen got the idea for this book 7 and 1/2 years ago during a meditation session. The idea kept tugging at her and wouldn’t leave her alone. (Sometimes, books do that. Nagging at you incessantly: “Write me. C’mon. Please. Write meeee.”)
It’s been a long journey to bring this book into the world. She’s exhilarated that it’s done!
Enjoy Karen’s story. Please join us in congratulating her on this beautiful achievement.
Karen, your book is done! Huge congrats! Tell everyone what it’s about.
My book is called Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs of the Job Search.
It’s not a typical job search book about resumes, interviews, and career decision-making because there are thousands of those books in the marketplace already.
Instead, my book helps jobseekers cope with challenges like anxiety, procrastination, and rejection.
Through this book, I want to normalize what the job seeker is facing and feeling and then give strategies to cope with emotions and to find hope and resilience.
Plenty of people dream about writing book but never get around to doing it. What motivated you to get it done?
My main motivation to do the book was because it was given to me in a meditation, so I knew it was mine to do. I realized I had been reading inspiration books (and giving them as gifts) for years. But none were written on this topic.
Honestly, I just wanted to be done so it wasn’t hanging over my head any longer! Because I don’t have children, I view this book as a legacy piece and that motivated me, as well.
What was the most joyful part of the process? And what was difficult for you?
The most joyful part was definitely the book launch which I coordinated to be the day before my birthday.
I read an excerpt from the book and played a song for people to dance to. The topic of the excerpt and song was: “yes!” So, I encouraged people to say “yes” to what they want to do, and I thanked them for saying “yes” to come to the book launch.
The hardest part was the actual publication process which always felt overwhelming. That’s why I was so thrilled when someone referred me to Get It Done, so that I could hire the team to do editing, design, publishing, distribution—all the steps that felt daunting to me.
Now that your book is complete, what kind of ripple effect do you hope this book creates?
I hope this book reaches many jobseekers to give emotional support during the inevitable ups and downs of the job search that affect even the most confident people.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
If you’re dreaming of writing a book, then you naturally have something to say.
Most people downplay their capabilities, whether at work or otherwise. We might think everyone around us has it all together, but likely that isn’t the case.
If you are inspired, then do it! Think about if you would feel regret by not following through. If you don’t allow yourself to think about and act on your dream, it will never happen.
Thank you for sharing your book journey, Karen.
Please join us in congratulating Karen. Go support her work. Visit her website, check out her services, and order her book for yourself or someone you love.
As Karen reminds us, “you naturally have something to say.” Go say it. Whether it’s through a book, newsletter, podcast, keynote talk, conversation, essay, or some other format, go share your words with the world.
There is someone out there who needs to hear whatever you have to say.