|
 |
|
Career Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love
Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make career changes should be applauded for their courage. The courage to live closer to their authentic selves. The courage to put aside all the negativity we hear about the economy. The courage to face their own fears. Most people will change careers 5-10 times in their lifetimes. Not just jobs ? but whole new careers. At the same time, we're not taught how to go about this in the best way ?how to evaluate what careers fit us best ? how to choose work that makes our heart sing! If you are considering a career change, here are some tips to get you started: 1. Know thyself. Give yourself time to really get in touch with yourself. What do you value most in your work? What skills do you really love doing? What natural talents and gifts do you have that you must use to serve others? 2. Go on an exploration. Be curious. Ask lots of folks about their work. Make a list of everything you've ever considered doing ?even if it seems outlandish. Then make a list of questions you'd like to get answered about those careers. This website can give you some good information about skills needed, education requirements and salary ranges for many careers: http://online.onetcenter.org/ As you get your questions answered, start making commitments about what you WILL have in your next career. Narrow down your choices until you've settled on one to target. 3. Go after it! Put together a job search campaign. Make a list of at least 5 different strategies you'll use to go after your best work. These can include networking, making a list of contacts to call, online job seeking on specialized job boards, online seeking of specific companies' job postings, sending targeted letters to organizations you'd like to work for even if they don't have jobs posted. Set weekly and daily goals and get a support partner to help keep you accountable to reaching your goals. Changing careers takes good strategies, courage and support. And it can be the most rewarding thing you've ever done. Congratulations on taking this first step! ©Ann Ronan, Ph.D. 2004 About The Author Ann Ronan, Ph.D., Certified Career Coach and author, works with professionals in career transition. If you'd like more tips, strategies and support check out the 90 Day Career Change Is Not For Wimps eCourse delivered to you by daily emails with weekly telephone support calls ? www.authenticlifeinstitute.com/CareerChange.htm ann@authenticlifeinstitute.com
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Change Career Horses in Mid-Stream You'll get wet but the reward just might be a more fulfilling ride! Necessary Psychological Skills When Working in the Executive Protection Field The "hard" skills necessary for an executive protection specialist (EPS) and/or personal protection specialist (PPS) are often perceived as being that of a policeman or (elite) soldier. Though there can be certain similarities i.e. the use of handguns, hand-to-hand combat and the ability to control a vehicle, most people having worked both in executive protection and either of the latter careers, will deny that the skills are parallel. They may look alike but the methodology of each skill differs from segment to segment. Counteroffers: Should I Stay or Should I Go? If "resignation" is the word that strikes fear into all employers, then "counteroffer" is the one that strikes fear into an employee's heart. "What should I do? They've matched my offer?" Sweeping Up Worms With the opening of a new venture and numerous reporters arriving in an hour, it felt like one of those "chickens with heads off" days. We were close, but not ready. So like locusts to a wheat field, a swarm of people were devouring the last minute details. Then, it rained. With rain, came worms, hundreds washing onto the entrance sidewalk. When I returned to the area, I found a manager, several department supervisors and a director outside with brooms, sweeping up worms. No one asked them to sweep worms. But, with guests arriving shortly and no one else available, they found brooms and started sweeping. The 10 Biggest Career Change Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them Career change is no walk in the park. Why Culinary Education If you are thinking about a career in culinary arts then studying in a culinary school is a must. You may be a great cook but you will never become expert learning culinary arts yourself. Further taking up a job as a chef in a good restaurant demands a professional qualification, which comes only after attending a regular culinary school. Identity Theft and Your Online Job Search While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole new world of opportunity for identity thieves. A Career in Image Consulting You might have seen them while watching TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or What Not to Wear. Or you might have heard that Martha Stewart needed them to give her advice on how to look sympathetic to a jury. Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters There are definitely things that you can do to avoid minor mishaps which could ultimately blow an interview. Become familiar with these 7 potential interview disasters so you can prevent them from obstructing your path to that ideal job. The Computer-Friendly Resume The evolution of technology is changing the traditional methods for job searching and recruiting. More and more companies are now relying on computers to initiate the process of hiring and are filling their database with candidates with skills that are easily searchable. Traditionally, submitted resumes were first received and sorted by humans. What else, right? But now, for many firms, this step has been handed over to their computers. What A Former Stay At Home Mom Knows About Creating A Stunning Resume That You Dont Recently I was asked to touch up a friend's resume. Her challenge was simple. She was a stay-at-home mom who had not worked in four years. A difficult task however, with the information in this section, I generated a listing of skills she did not know she had. Here is a partial list. (Organized, patient, detail oriented, energetic, ability to multitask, works well under pressure and capable of meeting deadlines) Now ask yourself, what company would not want their new employee to showcase these skills? Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity, gain a promotion, or close a sale, you have two main goals with the networking interaction: Moving From A Weekend Hobby To Career In The Arts Building a career as an artist takes hard work. Because the field attracts so many talented people, jobs in this field remain competitive. If you major in an art program at the university level, the focus is not on business, but in studio art, graphic design or humanities. So it's wonderful that you learn about how to perfect your skills in art ? you need these skills. And, if you want to work for someone else, this education may be all you need to succeed. But many artists and creative professionals wish to sell their work independently from home. There maybe a looming gap in the education you receive in art class and I believe it is about basic business. Why Choose A Professionally Written Resume? Good question, considering that nowadays you can find many useful resources to help you write your own resume (including many located at http://www.impressive-resumes.com). Cover Letter Warning: Watch Out For the BIG BAD WORD! Dear Job-Seeker: The Interviewable Resume It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote on his resume was "Available." We'll probably never know if that is true. But it raises an interesting question. How much information is too much and how much is too little when dealing with resume copy? Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers "Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search. We're very happy that Robert has accepted the position. He will be a great addition to our organization". At this point, while most would consider the placement complete from both the candidate and employer's side, I would put forth that you are not quite at the finish line just yet. 20 Questions That Helped Me Take A Leap Of Faith And Change Careers When I was working more than 45 hours a week in a job with a two hour commute each day, the challenge of a new husband, new step children, two beagle dogs and maintaining a home was more than a stretch! Something had to give, and unfortunately I was the one starting to not be able to hold it together! The 4 Job Search Facts You Need To Know! Are you harboring bitterness or anger towards your current or past employer? Pre-Interview Web Research You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared to discuss your strengths, your accomplishments, your willingness to work hard and learn quickly, and your ability to fit seamlessly into the employer's needs. But... you don't know anything about the employer. You may not even be sure what kind of industry they are in. Do some quick homework before your interview and you may glean a basic understanding of their business that can set you apart from other candidates.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2008 |
