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Careers-Changing Jobs: The Fantasy of the Ideal JobMost people would agree that the concept of a job today is vastly different from that of 20 years ago. Organisations are changing at speed, technology has changed the face and pace of work, and globalisation is pushing every business to examine it's operations in a totally different context. How do we, the people that work within this changing environment, manage our own needs and wants? Over the last 10 years I have had contact with many individuals searching for their place in the working world. For many, a growing sense of dissatisfaction with their work, or a general feeling that things aren't as they should be, has left them with two questions to answer - "Why am I here?", and "What would I really love to do for a job?". What is an Ideal Job? The concept of the ideal job is, I believe, fraught with danger. As long as we believe that there is a single job that will make us truly happy, then we are immediately limiting our actions and beliefs in searching for it. We set ourselves up for failure with expectations that the answer will "come" to us, or that a job needs to be perfect. The truth is that there is rarely a single outcome in the search for the ideal job. A career is only a part of a lifestyle - a lifestyle encompasses all aspects of our life. Those who consider their career in isolation of their desired lifestyle may end up making less than ideal job-related choices. So is it really about planning a career, or is it more about planning a lifestyle, of which work/career is one component? A clearly structured process will help you to define the parameters of work that are important for you, rather than specific jobs. For example: - preferred industries - work type (full or part time etc) - working hours - travel - level of autonomy or team work - desired income - responsibility - skills you want to use - location and so on. Once you are clear on your parameters, perhaps have even prioitised them for their importance to you, you can evaluate your career options against them. With this approach, the weight of expectation is lifted, the burden of finding the "one and only right answer" is gone. You have the freedom to consider a large number of roles knowing that you will make a choice based on your personal criteria. At the end of the day, career decisions are about making choices not finding right and wrong answers. Give yourself parameters, and put the power of choice firmly in your hands - where it belongs. Megan Tough - published writer, coach, facilitator and speaker - works with people to create outstandingly satisfying and truly successful professional lives. Make more money - have more fun! To learn more and to sign up for more FREE tips and articles like these, visit http://www.megantough.com |  | | | RELATED ARTICLES Thankk-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career There is one little practice that is vital to generating the interest of potential employers. It is critical, but very few job seekers actually do it. Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk? Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other."), this is a formal part of your interview! Don?t Be Too Passionate About Your Work Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing thousands of dollars to get me back on track. However, I must say she was ethical in her approach and suggested I get a medical check up to rule out any physical or mental-health issues. 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I remember the first time I was asked for my CV, I had no idea what they wanted and I couldn't seem to be able to find out, no one I knew, knew what at CV was either. Thank goodness there is the Internet now where information is easy to find! A CV is basically an international resume. CV (Curriculum Vitae) or international resume will differ from your regular run of the mill resume that you are used to writing. For example each country has different guidelines that they like to work within. Finding out these guidelines will take you much further in your international job hunt. Adapting To Change In A Changing World Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your existing skill in the last six months to one year? How To Write A Resume, Avoid These Resume Mistakes HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #1 18 Career Enhancement Caveats Core value investing in your career How to Create a Great Electronic Resume After creating the perfect resume, you then need todistribute it. You'll likely be sending some professionallyprinted hard copies, especially to "A list" companies ororganizations you've set your sights on. But just as likely,you'll be distributing other copies electronically. Supplement Your Skills and Improve Your Work Position It is often said that the majority of people are but a few checks away from homelessness. Without a consistent income, this may be a true statement.Some ability to multi-task can get you through a temporary employment down-spell. If You Think You Cant Change Course... Youre Right  An Unexpected Career Direction My starting point was how to draw on 25 years of experience in which I have helped thousands of people to their own career success, and make this knowledge freely available to anyone and everyone who could use it. I believe that if people are given the right information and helped to reach their own conclusions; they can make an outstanding success of their careers. I wasn't planning on writing much about business start-up or self-employment yet as I got busy with this project something happened. Are You Bored By What You Do? Is your working life in the doldrums? Do you feel stuck in a rut? Uncertain about the future? Depressed by what you can see ahead? Still looking for a job that will fully engage your interest? |
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