Starting a new career chapter can feel overwhelming. First you have to look behind you and decide, “Was my past or current job fulfilling?” “Was I stuck in a rut due to a sense of financial security, or fear of stepping into the unknown, or was I good at what I did?”
here are some basic things everyone needs to look at while looking for that “new” path. A practical checklist of things we all should keep in mind:
1) What are your natural skill sets?: These are the passions and personality traits that drive your normal day-to-day existence.
A) Do you like to cook and are you good at it? – Private chief, nutritionists, catering.
B) Do you have a low gag reflex and shrug at the sight of vomit or blood? Nurse.
C) Do you have a knack for catching spelling and grammatical errors (not me)? – Copy write editor, proofer.
D) Are you patient and compassionate? – Speech or occupational therapist. Teacher of any kind.
E) Got the gift of gab and keen listening skills? – New Hire Trainer, or sales may be your calling.
All these are good indicators of where you should be guiding your job hunt. Focusing on these natural skills will help you excel greater than any book smarts. It will always keep you passionate for your work because you will have that inherit skill set that gives you the leg up.
2) Degrees/ education/ hands on experience: Review what your expertise is in. Make sure you really understand your job market and where the jobs are at for that particular career. If you are a graphic designer in a saturated market/ industry look to another part of town or even state lines. Who know where they may need your service. Another option is, figure out another field that you may be able to cross over into. Do not limit yourself, such as automobile catalogs. I guarantee you there are also cabinet companies that need good graphic designers. Not as glamorous but if you have the right attitude it could be just as fulfilling.
3) We all have varied reasons for taking or keeping jobs we may not be so thrilled about. I, for example, do not have kids at this moment in my life. I only have to look out for little ol’ me. I can take bigger risks because my risks only affect me. If you do have a family to care for or even if you are solo, know your budget for living expenses. What do you need Net to maintain a healthy and happy life for you or your family? I don’t mean find a job so you can keep the Benz and eat sushi every night. What I mean is, can you pay your rent or mortgage, credit card bills, utilities, insurance, etc.?
If you have a job and are making a lateral move then you can be pickier in these situations. If you are unemployed you may need to shed some un-needed expenses. Don’t let stubbornness or ego block you from getting your foot in the door of a prospective new career. Please note, I do not suggest settling for the first offer either. Know your needs but just be realistic.
All in all, there are so many options out there. Getting a job all comes down to persistence, making yourself valuable and your skills updated to the current job market, being patient, how far you cast your net and how open you are to change.
It may seem like a dark tunnel ahead but the end of one Chapter is always the beginning of another.
Here is a fun Web Site with tests to get yourself started on the search.....
http://www.skillset.org/careers/getting_in/skills/article_5025_1.asp
