Millions of people go to work every day at jobs they hate. Hopefully, you’re not one of them. But if you are, you know the negative effect it has on your personal life. Perhaps it’s time to do some real soul-searching. It is time to identify your true purpose so you can get on the road to your career happiness.
The first step in finding a new career is to knowing yourself. Whether you are a first year student interested in learning how majors relate to careers, a senior contemplating graduate school or an alumnus considering a career change, it is crucial that you first identify your interests, values, skills and personality preferences in order to make a well–informed decision. Whether you have been in the work force before or have never been, you must know this: no matter your training, no matter your skills, no matter what area you’re in, you are your most important commodity. The most valuable gift you have to give is yourself.
If you think you have no job skills – think again. If you were a stay-at-home mom or dad, think about the schedules you have maintained. Your responsibilities include CEO of the household, raising children, be a moderator, cheerleader, caregiver, teacher, chef, housekeeper, personal shopper, and much more. So don’t cut yourself short, you have skills. Make sure to list these skills in your resume.
Many people don’t realize that they must change their attitude when putting themselves out there. There’s a difference between making phone calls and going to interviews thinking “I’m looking for a job” versus “I’m here to do the work you need to have done”. When you’re looking to get a job, you’re expecting someone to give something to you, so you focus on impressing them. Yes, it’s important to make a good impression, but it’s even more important to demonstrate your desire and ability to help. Everything that you write and say should be preceded silently by the statement “This is how I can help your business succeed.” Secondly, many people search for jobs, then try to see how they can tweak the way they present their own skills and experiences to fit the job description. Instead, try something different. Instead of this top-down approach, start from the bottom up by making a list of all of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and industries need them most (ask around for advice if you need to) and find businesses that will benefit from having you and your skills around. You might find that you get more satisfaction and enjoyment out of a career that wasn’t even on your radar to begin with.
Whether you’re looking for your very first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market after an extended absence, finding a new career requires two main tasks: setting and following through on your goals and using the latest tools to enter the job market. Assuming you’ve chosen career objectives and are currently searching, the information herein offers several ways to actually get a new career – not just a job.
Need help? Contact me: info@michelesfakianos.com. Through coaching, I can help you to think through your future path.