Extensive thought should always be given to the expectations and ramifications of a career change. Whether you are an entry level professional or have been working for decades, a career change can result in major life changes. I heartily agree that you should love what you do, however, careful thought and planning will ensure a career change is the right step for your professional and personal life. The questions below address important factors to consider before starting your decision making process.
1. Why do you want to change careers? Is the change sought for money, status, economy, or maybe boredom, office conflicts, or it is a desire to work in a different profession? Money is always an issue and in some cases must be the deciding factor; often those individuals end up still unhappy with their careers. It is important to research factors such as job expectations, stress levels, hours you’ll spend on the job and the amount of expected travel to make sure your expectations are accurate. Lastly, examine your current options to see if there are any alternatives to making the change. Could you change your attitude on your current career? By setting new goals you may be able to improve your circumstances and positively manage career boredom or office politics.
2. Will this be the right job for you? Have you thought through what your day will be like? What skills you will be using? What will be expected of you in terms of activities and responsibilities? Thoroughly research what the atmosphere and work environment will be like as well as what the job entails. Is this how you want to spend one third of your life? A great tool to help identify your behavioral preferences is a behavioral assessment analysis such as the DISC Behavioral Profiling Assessment. Proven to be accurate more than 80-85% of the time, the DISC Assessment is very effective in discovering strengths and weaknesses in your preferred behavioral style. The results can be utilized to understand what types of work patterns, skills, and environments you prefer and are a great tool for learning how to communicate more effectively and for improving professional relationships.
3. How will the new job affect your family or personal life? A new career is not only a major change for you but can also mean changes for your family or personal life as well. Check to see what the average work week will consist of; will there be longer hours or more travel? What will you or your family be giving up and what will you be gaining from the change? Is it worth it? A balance in professional and personal life will help keep both areas of your life healthy and enjoyable.
4. What are your career expectations for growth potential and/or promotion? Look into the possibility for advancements and determine if there are areas for promotion, available opportunities to take on additional responsibility and potential to make more money in your new chosen profession. Changing careers often places you back at a lower seniority status. You may start with a decrease in income from what you are used to and if there are layoffs or cuts made you may be the first to go. Since this may be the case, make sure you have a sufficient nest egg set aside to handle unexpected changes.
5. What does the career change say to future employers about your commitment capabilities? Is this your first career change or is this something you have done before? If you have made similar changes in the past it may appear to an employer as a lack of dedication or focus on your part. Employers spend a great deal of time and resources hiring new employees and they expect their employees to be willing and able to a make long term commitment. Review your professional history and prepare positive interview responses regarding changes in past professions or positions. If this is your first career change prepare to show your career progression and always offer a positive spin on your past decisions – even if they positive outcomes you can still show what you learned and accomplishments you achieved along the way.
There are many more questions that can be asked of you before beginning a career change. For some, a change will improve quality of life and it will be easy to determine if it is the right decision. For others, these questions will hopefully provide insight and help in making an informed decision. Either way it is important to take the time to think about the reasons for wanting a change and affects a career change will have on you and those around you.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Three Easy Networking Steps to Your New Job
Networking is the new buzz word – it’s everywhere these days. It used to be known by catch phrases like, “It’s not what you know – but who you know” or being part of “The Good Ol’ Boys Club”. Business-focused networking today can really be a powerful career management tool but it takes time and effort to make it effective. There are many forms of networking some are very informal and others are strategically developed for optimal outcomes. Described below are three main strategies to launch your networking plan.
CONTACTING ALL THOSE YOU KNOW - The probably most obvious form of networking is done by going through your entire address book and business card collection. Set up an organized routine of systematically working through your list; communicating with friends, family, coworkers, colleagues, and acquaintances. Make sure to also include association members, church friends, people you volunteer with, and your children’s friends’ parents, coaches, and teachers on your contact list. Keep aware of opportune moments to mention you are looking for work, start with those in similar industry or field so they can keep their ears open and maybe make a few calls to others who can make a few calls to others – and so on – and so on - and so on…
Be honest with those who you don’t usually socialize with to let them know you’re interested in talking with them about your search for the perfect job. Invite them out for coffee or lunch, email if it is more convenient for them and explain what you are looking for and what you have to offer. This is when career tools such as an Online Resume come in handy. You can give them your card and write the web address of you resume on the back so they can easily pass along the site to other interested parties who can immediately see your qualifications and have your contact information waiting.
REFERRALS - My personal favorites are referrals. Working in a service oriented profession; every referral to me feels like a compliment or award. It means someone liked my work enough to tell others about it and positively pass my name on when someone is looking for assistance writing a resume or preparing for their job search or interview. Referrals like all networking, work like the “Amway Pyramid” it just keeps expanding and reaching further to more potential clients. The happier my clients are the more they will pass my name to others looking for help so I keep that in mind with every client or potential client I speak with.
In terms of looking for a job, referrals can be the strongest and fastest way to an interview. Contacts can do the selling of your qualifications for you and the employer will assume you can provide a high quality of work. So talk with your contacts and let them know you would appreciate them passing on your name to others. Keeping in touch with contacts using a newsletter, emails, phone calls or personal notes keep your name and service in their thoughts.
ONLINE NETWORKING – The newest form of networking is done by utilizing websites specifically designed to promote networking such as http://www.linkedin.com/, http://www.ryze.com/ or http://www.xing.com/. These are a great way of getting in touch with professionals you are interested in working with or for. There are smaller networks for individual industries such as http://www.nursegroups.com/ or http://www.teachersnetwork.org/. On sites like http://www.linkedin.com/ and http://www.craigslist.com/ you can even include your resume for employers to view. More social networking sites are gaining professional use such as http://www.myspace.com/ and http://www.classmates.com/. All these sites are free, easy to use and worth your time to cut and paste your resume or parts of it for viewers to see.
Remember that networking is an ongoing process, one that should be worked on daily. You will need to build a rapport with your contacts and make sure you reciprocate assistance when you can. Keep records or some type of spreadsheet to monitor contact visits, effectives and responsiveness, and any notes or tips gained from these contacts.
CONTACTING ALL THOSE YOU KNOW - The probably most obvious form of networking is done by going through your entire address book and business card collection. Set up an organized routine of systematically working through your list; communicating with friends, family, coworkers, colleagues, and acquaintances. Make sure to also include association members, church friends, people you volunteer with, and your children’s friends’ parents, coaches, and teachers on your contact list. Keep aware of opportune moments to mention you are looking for work, start with those in similar industry or field so they can keep their ears open and maybe make a few calls to others who can make a few calls to others – and so on – and so on - and so on…
Be honest with those who you don’t usually socialize with to let them know you’re interested in talking with them about your search for the perfect job. Invite them out for coffee or lunch, email if it is more convenient for them and explain what you are looking for and what you have to offer. This is when career tools such as an Online Resume come in handy. You can give them your card and write the web address of you resume on the back so they can easily pass along the site to other interested parties who can immediately see your qualifications and have your contact information waiting.
REFERRALS - My personal favorites are referrals. Working in a service oriented profession; every referral to me feels like a compliment or award. It means someone liked my work enough to tell others about it and positively pass my name on when someone is looking for assistance writing a resume or preparing for their job search or interview. Referrals like all networking, work like the “Amway Pyramid” it just keeps expanding and reaching further to more potential clients. The happier my clients are the more they will pass my name to others looking for help so I keep that in mind with every client or potential client I speak with.
In terms of looking for a job, referrals can be the strongest and fastest way to an interview. Contacts can do the selling of your qualifications for you and the employer will assume you can provide a high quality of work. So talk with your contacts and let them know you would appreciate them passing on your name to others. Keeping in touch with contacts using a newsletter, emails, phone calls or personal notes keep your name and service in their thoughts.
ONLINE NETWORKING – The newest form of networking is done by utilizing websites specifically designed to promote networking such as http://www.linkedin.com/, http://www.ryze.com/ or http://www.xing.com/. These are a great way of getting in touch with professionals you are interested in working with or for. There are smaller networks for individual industries such as http://www.nursegroups.com/ or http://www.teachersnetwork.org/. On sites like http://www.linkedin.com/ and http://www.craigslist.com/ you can even include your resume for employers to view. More social networking sites are gaining professional use such as http://www.myspace.com/ and http://www.classmates.com/. All these sites are free, easy to use and worth your time to cut and paste your resume or parts of it for viewers to see.
Remember that networking is an ongoing process, one that should be worked on daily. You will need to build a rapport with your contacts and make sure you reciprocate assistance when you can. Keep records or some type of spreadsheet to monitor contact visits, effectives and responsiveness, and any notes or tips gained from these contacts.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
DID YOU KNOW? - 10 Unusual and Effective Job Search Tips
Here is a list of not so common job search tips that you can use to your advantage to get noticed and be as productive as possible during your search. The important thing to remember is to conduct your job search like a job. Work at it every day, develop a plan and stick to it and don't forget to follow up on previous searches. Don't give up, hopefully the tips below will work for you.
1. Did you know Tuesday is the most productive day of the week? What does this mean to you as a job seeker? You can plan Tuesday as the day to network, to make appointments, reorganize job search files, or possibly re-touch on older leads. However you decide to spend your Tuesdays, make sure you take advantage of its’ natural productiveness in the work week.
2. Did you know that as many as 35% of employers are now using your credit report history as a means of judging personal responsibility, especially in occupations dealing directly with money? Something to think about and get in order before you begin your job search or at the least make sure you are aware of what others are finding when checking your credit history. Conducting a credit check on yourself might be a good idea.
3. Did you know you could research the current earnings rate for your new position using pay comparison Internet sites and increase your negotiating power by being prepared and aware? A couple of helpful sites to search and compare pay per job, industry, or location include www.salary.com, www.salarysearch.com or www.payscale.com.
4. Did you know 65 to 70% of jobs are gained through personal referrals or networking connections? So get networking! Make a long list of all your friends, family, past co-workers, bosses, work associates, teachers, and professors. Also include contacts from associations, church or volunteer activities, hobbies, and your children’s schools and activities. Once you have a strong list start making your way through them to let them know what type of job you are interested in.
5. Did you know only an average of 36% of those job hunters interviewed regularly send thank-you notes while 75% of employers appreciate or expect the notes? Not only is it polite but it is a great chance to touch on something specific you talked about during the interview that will help you be remembered.
6. Did you know that over 90% of employers seek their assistant’s opinion when interviewing and making hiring decisions? When calling or visiting in person for an interview make sure to be polite and friendly to the assistants and secretaries in the office. Their impression of you might just get you the job or get you passed by.
7. Did you know business cards are a great way to network? Using a plain and simple card or with a photo works best. They are another great way to be remembered and are a quick and inexpensive career tool. Business cards work especially well when you have your resume posted online and can include the website on your card.
8. Did you know having a mentor can also be another great way to network? I know from experience that having someone more experienced in your industry and field to discuss ideas and questions with can be really valuable. They are also a great networking source as well since they are familiar with your skills, experience, and current objectives and goals.
9. Did you know 60% of large companies do salary planning in the fall? What does this mean to you? First, it is a great time to ask for a raise! If you are already working for a large company a fall raise while budge planning is going on might be easier to work into a budget then at some other time of the year. Secondly, knowing the hiring managers mind is on budgets and hiring needs for the following year they will be more interested in resumes coming in that fit their needs because it might save them money to not include your hire into next years budget.
10. Did you also know that 40% of job cuts announced are in the fall? This may be a great time to have your resume updated and ready – just in case. You will be ahead of the rest of your coworkers with an updated resume if layoffs occur and you need to look for work.
1. Did you know Tuesday is the most productive day of the week? What does this mean to you as a job seeker? You can plan Tuesday as the day to network, to make appointments, reorganize job search files, or possibly re-touch on older leads. However you decide to spend your Tuesdays, make sure you take advantage of its’ natural productiveness in the work week.
2. Did you know that as many as 35% of employers are now using your credit report history as a means of judging personal responsibility, especially in occupations dealing directly with money? Something to think about and get in order before you begin your job search or at the least make sure you are aware of what others are finding when checking your credit history. Conducting a credit check on yourself might be a good idea.
3. Did you know you could research the current earnings rate for your new position using pay comparison Internet sites and increase your negotiating power by being prepared and aware? A couple of helpful sites to search and compare pay per job, industry, or location include www.salary.com, www.salarysearch.com or www.payscale.com.
4. Did you know 65 to 70% of jobs are gained through personal referrals or networking connections? So get networking! Make a long list of all your friends, family, past co-workers, bosses, work associates, teachers, and professors. Also include contacts from associations, church or volunteer activities, hobbies, and your children’s schools and activities. Once you have a strong list start making your way through them to let them know what type of job you are interested in.
5. Did you know only an average of 36% of those job hunters interviewed regularly send thank-you notes while 75% of employers appreciate or expect the notes? Not only is it polite but it is a great chance to touch on something specific you talked about during the interview that will help you be remembered.
6. Did you know that over 90% of employers seek their assistant’s opinion when interviewing and making hiring decisions? When calling or visiting in person for an interview make sure to be polite and friendly to the assistants and secretaries in the office. Their impression of you might just get you the job or get you passed by.
7. Did you know business cards are a great way to network? Using a plain and simple card or with a photo works best. They are another great way to be remembered and are a quick and inexpensive career tool. Business cards work especially well when you have your resume posted online and can include the website on your card.
8. Did you know having a mentor can also be another great way to network? I know from experience that having someone more experienced in your industry and field to discuss ideas and questions with can be really valuable. They are also a great networking source as well since they are familiar with your skills, experience, and current objectives and goals.
9. Did you know 60% of large companies do salary planning in the fall? What does this mean to you? First, it is a great time to ask for a raise! If you are already working for a large company a fall raise while budge planning is going on might be easier to work into a budget then at some other time of the year. Secondly, knowing the hiring managers mind is on budgets and hiring needs for the following year they will be more interested in resumes coming in that fit their needs because it might save them money to not include your hire into next years budget.
10. Did you also know that 40% of job cuts announced are in the fall? This may be a great time to have your resume updated and ready – just in case. You will be ahead of the rest of your coworkers with an updated resume if layoffs occur and you need to look for work.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Get the Interview Advantage With Research! Research! Research!
I have noticed with many clients that I coach on interview preparation that most are not familiar with the companies they are interested in working for. This makes it very difficult for the clients to adequately prepare for a position they know little about. In order to decide on a move that will benefit your long-term career plans and immediate position gratification, research is your best course of action.
Going to an interview without doing your research puts you at a clear disadvantage. Why - because it can be used as a perfect opportunity to impress your interviewer or as a way to build rapport at the onset of the interview. It can leverage your salary negotiations by letting the employer know that you are aware of their corporate pay scale and what the job position is really worth to them.
In larger companies, the person who writes the ad for the position is usually not related to the department or unit in need of additional staff. The description may not be as accurate or effectively written as it should be and by researching the facility you can be prepared when communicating with your possible future employer.
After accepting the new position you will spend a large part of everyday with the people in your area or department. Have you checked into the atmosphere or culture of the company? What is the general employee attitude towards the company? Many resources for larger companies are available on the Internet that provides yearly ratings on the best industries, jobs, and companies.
Sites providing a ranking of size and likability of the companies can be found at http://www.fortune.com/. For listings on first-rate jobs within the U.S. Government try http://www.bestplacetowork.org/. Individual states and many larger cities develop lists that are posted on their sites boasting their best companies including http://www.columbus.about.com/. For smaller sized companies the http://www.greatplacestowork.com/ may be helpful.
Another way to discovering more about the companies you are interested in is by looking up articles written on the company of interest or the desired industry. It is a great way to learn more about the company written by others than the company on all areas of the company structure, future plans, and successes, and their competitors which can be new companies to look into for possible employment.
A few other areas that require in-depth research to get a true understanding and feel for the company you are intending to interview are the corporate culture, hiring practices, and even hours expected to work. It will help to be familiar and in agreement with the work environment or the philosophy of the company. It would be a waste of your time and that of the company for you to go through the process of getting your resume read, being asked to interview, prepare and interview for the position, and finally accept and start the job only to find out six months down the line that you agree or feel comfortable working with the existing management practices or company policies.
Take the time to do your research before you agree to an interview. During the interview look for signs of the atmosphere or ask questions if still unsure. You deserve to work in an environment that is a great fit, where you will feel comfortable to work to fulfill your potential and where you agree with the goals and objectives of the company. Research is key in finding just the right job for you.
Going to an interview without doing your research puts you at a clear disadvantage. Why - because it can be used as a perfect opportunity to impress your interviewer or as a way to build rapport at the onset of the interview. It can leverage your salary negotiations by letting the employer know that you are aware of their corporate pay scale and what the job position is really worth to them.
In larger companies, the person who writes the ad for the position is usually not related to the department or unit in need of additional staff. The description may not be as accurate or effectively written as it should be and by researching the facility you can be prepared when communicating with your possible future employer.
After accepting the new position you will spend a large part of everyday with the people in your area or department. Have you checked into the atmosphere or culture of the company? What is the general employee attitude towards the company? Many resources for larger companies are available on the Internet that provides yearly ratings on the best industries, jobs, and companies.
Sites providing a ranking of size and likability of the companies can be found at http://www.fortune.com/. For listings on first-rate jobs within the U.S. Government try http://www.bestplacetowork.org/. Individual states and many larger cities develop lists that are posted on their sites boasting their best companies including http://www.columbus.about.com/. For smaller sized companies the http://www.greatplacestowork.com/ may be helpful.
Another way to discovering more about the companies you are interested in is by looking up articles written on the company of interest or the desired industry. It is a great way to learn more about the company written by others than the company on all areas of the company structure, future plans, and successes, and their competitors which can be new companies to look into for possible employment.
A few other areas that require in-depth research to get a true understanding and feel for the company you are intending to interview are the corporate culture, hiring practices, and even hours expected to work. It will help to be familiar and in agreement with the work environment or the philosophy of the company. It would be a waste of your time and that of the company for you to go through the process of getting your resume read, being asked to interview, prepare and interview for the position, and finally accept and start the job only to find out six months down the line that you agree or feel comfortable working with the existing management practices or company policies.
Take the time to do your research before you agree to an interview. During the interview look for signs of the atmosphere or ask questions if still unsure. You deserve to work in an environment that is a great fit, where you will feel comfortable to work to fulfill your potential and where you agree with the goals and objectives of the company. Research is key in finding just the right job for you.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Job Market Strategies for New Graduates
It’s that time of the year again when colleges let out and newly graduated young adults receive their diplomas. They will enjoy a well deserved, long hot summer and then realize “I’ve graduated - now what? I don’t know what to do next!” A little daunted with the realization that now they need to find a job and put their four or five years of hard academic work into practice. The sad thing for these graduates is that they are already about a year behind.
Ideally, the best time for graduates to start looking for an entry level job is before you graduate. College Career Centers are very helpful when properly utilized. They offer counseling and other career tools, career fair opportunities and internship availabilities. The internships are invaluable beginning for soon-to-be graduates and often a requirement for many degrees. Nearly 60% of interns are asked to stay on permanently after graduation and at the very least; the internship can act as a great reference when getting into the real world after graduation.
For those who were enjoying being in the moment and now are a little in the past – what do you do? First, realize that you need to decide on which career direction you are interested. What is your current career objective? Not sure? Don’t worry many graduates aren’t – instead of procrastinating or doing nothing – chose a path and get started! You can always change your mind and steer yourself in another direction later but you’ll never know what you do like if you don’t find out what you don’t like.
Completing a Career Assessment Evaluation through a reputable program such as D.I.S.C. Assessments might be a valuable investment. These assessments provide information on your behavioral strengths and weaknesses. They determine what type of work environment, skills, and tasks you are most suited for and enjoy.
Career coaching is very effective in helping graduates narrow the possible career paths. They offer a variety of tools to help you understand which industries, fields, and work environments best fit you. They provide extensive information on job searching, interview preparation, salary negotiations, industry information and more.
Next is your gathering of career tools. I would of course recommend an experienced certified resume writer, one who is willing to assist you as you make your way through the preparation process. A well focused resume is the most powerful tool you can have, so your career objective at this point is a must! If your resume writer doesn’t provide additional services in job market strategies they are usually a pretty good source for where to find the services you will need such as interview or career coaching, resume distribution and a posting services. Although these additional services will cost you initially, you will save yourself time and frustration plus with the coaching you will receive pivotal information that will give you an edge or advantage over other applicants during an interview.
The job market is a competitive place but a great career is worth working for! Take the time to do it right and be prepared so you won’t have to settle for a job as you begin your career!
Congratulations Graduates!!
Ideally, the best time for graduates to start looking for an entry level job is before you graduate. College Career Centers are very helpful when properly utilized. They offer counseling and other career tools, career fair opportunities and internship availabilities. The internships are invaluable beginning for soon-to-be graduates and often a requirement for many degrees. Nearly 60% of interns are asked to stay on permanently after graduation and at the very least; the internship can act as a great reference when getting into the real world after graduation.
For those who were enjoying being in the moment and now are a little in the past – what do you do? First, realize that you need to decide on which career direction you are interested. What is your current career objective? Not sure? Don’t worry many graduates aren’t – instead of procrastinating or doing nothing – chose a path and get started! You can always change your mind and steer yourself in another direction later but you’ll never know what you do like if you don’t find out what you don’t like.
Completing a Career Assessment Evaluation through a reputable program such as D.I.S.C. Assessments might be a valuable investment. These assessments provide information on your behavioral strengths and weaknesses. They determine what type of work environment, skills, and tasks you are most suited for and enjoy.
Career coaching is very effective in helping graduates narrow the possible career paths. They offer a variety of tools to help you understand which industries, fields, and work environments best fit you. They provide extensive information on job searching, interview preparation, salary negotiations, industry information and more.
Next is your gathering of career tools. I would of course recommend an experienced certified resume writer, one who is willing to assist you as you make your way through the preparation process. A well focused resume is the most powerful tool you can have, so your career objective at this point is a must! If your resume writer doesn’t provide additional services in job market strategies they are usually a pretty good source for where to find the services you will need such as interview or career coaching, resume distribution and a posting services. Although these additional services will cost you initially, you will save yourself time and frustration plus with the coaching you will receive pivotal information that will give you an edge or advantage over other applicants during an interview.
The job market is a competitive place but a great career is worth working for! Take the time to do it right and be prepared so you won’t have to settle for a job as you begin your career!
Congratulations Graduates!!
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