Get ready the change is coming.. job opportunities
The financial meltdown, the recession, job and employment realignment, public sector cutbacks, disasters, changes in local, state and federal government serves and elected officials. Our hopes had been dashed but things are turning around. This is a time to look at your skill sets and expertise, your accomplishments, your personal values, your network and make a plan to move forward.
SKILL SETS/EXPERTISE
What are your professional skill and degrees you have. Take an inventory of your skill sets and expertise, as well as understand your personality type and core values. I recommend 3 instruments to help you in this process; SkillScan Professional Pack Card Sort, MBTI II, and the Strong Interest Inventory, or Holland Assessment Tool, each of these 3 instruments can help you better understand your-self. Don’t forget to update your computer skills. Check out your local library for on line programs, tutorials, and books to support you in this quest. All state career office offer classes either fee or non fee to help you update your computer skills, additionally, local high schools through their community education function provide cheap classes and if you wish to spend more be sure to look at local colleges and universities.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Determine your accomplishments through reviewing your job description, and performance evaluations. What have you been doing the last 6 to 9 months at work? What KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) have you used? Did you reach your work goals and your employer’s goals? Make a list of your personal and professional accomplishments? By reviewing this information you can then prepare a more up to date resume, develop a 30 second marketing pitch, be prepared for your performance evaluation, brief yourself for interviews, and be able to determine areas of improvement. Use the PAR (P=Problem A=Action R=Results) format in developing your accomplishment statements. Identify an issue or problem, the steps or procedures you took to rectify or correct it and the outcome. Accomplishments illustrate your work and are used to communicate more concrete information to an employer. This simple formula can be used to help you identify and quantify/qualify your accomplishments:
RESUME
In preparing a resume you need to be specific about what job you are applying for. Some examples might be Public Relations Specialist or Communications Specialist. Your Qualifications Summary should follow and include a clear description of key professional job accomplishments. This might include the following accomplishment statements: “Directed in-house writing team that delivered 20 technical publications”, or hold an “MA in Journalism, BA in English and Economics with a Certificate in Publishing and Editing”. In the body of the resume under your current position you should include the genre of published materials such as Annual Report, White Papers, Government Grant Applications and Company Handbook..
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www.monster.com, www.jobfinder.com, www.jobhuntersbible.com, www.PRNewswire.com, www.Edgar-Online.com, www.womenforhire.com, www.aarp.org, or www.retirementJobs.com. These web sites will provide you with keywords, job descriptions, specific phrases, job requirements, list of professional associations, and current salary levels, as well as templates to look at. Additionally, check out your local library. The reference librarian will provide you with career periodicals, job search and resume how to books, as well as other career reference materials.
My local library, www.belmont.lib.ma.us.org has information for both the resident card-carrying library user, the web surfer, and a library visitor. This includes books on resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, job search, and career descriptions. Additionally, each state has a state operated One Stop Career Center which provides free job search information, resume preparation and interviewing skills workshops, as well as career counseling and job placement. Colleges, universities, adult educational centers, and NGOs provide similar services either for small fee or free. Don’t forget the benefit of attending a class or workshop that provides career information. Don’t just depend on web sites. These classes may be offered at a community center, high school, library, and NGOs in your geographical area. Check out your college Alumni Services Department and Career Services Office, often there are events and programs focused on Networking, Interviewing, and Career Development. Look at the best www.harvard.edu, www.uvm.edu, and www.du.edu, www.suffolk.edu to name just a few that I check.
RESUME WRITERS
I refer folks to the following resume service organizations to identify a professional resume writer: www.nrwa.com (National Resume Writer’s Association), and www.parw.com (Professional Association of Resume Writers). Find a career counselor in the New England area through www.careercounselorsne.org (Career Counselors Consortium Northeast). Check out the other key resources that provide a listing of career counselors and career coaches, and career assistance. These includes a formal listing of career counselors that are members of the American Counseling Association www.ncda.org National Career Development Association, and a primary career coaching and resume writing group www.careermanagementalliance.com Career Management Alliance. Another career information portal that specifically lists career counselors with up to date articles on career related materials, job search items and career counseling is www.careernetwork.org The Career Planning and Adult Development Network. If you don’t know who to talk to about a career coach or career counselor, then ask a friend. Also check out the Better Business Bureau.
ON-LINE APPLICATIONS
When applying on line, remember your application will only be reviewed for that position. Companies and employers no longer roll over applications for consideration for other openings. This is a result of tracking applicant systems and federal regulations. Be aware that still today even with the advanced technology people still get jobs through networking. Most of the jobs you will be considered for are through a direct or indirect link to the employer. Also be sure to go directly to the company, organization, web site. Besides the major portals such as www.indeed.com, www.craigslist.com, www.simplyhired.comwww.idealist.com, www.careerbuilder.com, www.jobcentral.com www.monster.com, www.womenforhire.com, www.aarp.org, check out some local sites in your community, such as www.wickedlocal.com, www.newenglandjobs.org, www.hireculture.org.
You need to look from within and that would include checking our web sites for internal openings, speaking with HR, reviewing vendor contacts, competitors, customers, and networking sources.
NETWORKING
People find jobs through knowing someone. 70% of the jobs people get are a result of a connection to someone else. Your network helps you move forward. If face-to-face networking is difficult for you, use an indirect method such as www.facebook.com, www.linkdin.com, or your own preferred social networking tool. Remember it is important to get out there. I can’t stress enough the value of the connecting with other network sources: Alumni Groups, Associations, Non-profit Affiliates, Boards, Committees and Councils, Social Networking Sites, Religious Affiliates, Political Affiliates and name many more. Network with professional groups and attend networking events, and career fairs, and
VOLUNTEER
www.windisnetworking.com, www.womenforhire.com, www.volunteermatch.org. Attend association meetings (www.ipl.org lists associations), conferences, family parties, churches, religious events, programs, courses, and committees. Develop a team of advisors to help you through this job search process. Check out my format for a 30 second pitch for you to follow.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Attend courses, workshops, internal training, lectures, and professional conferences this fall/winter to sharpen your professional talents. You can take classes at a Community College, University, Technical School, local Adult Educational Center and even some internet courses can give you a leg up. Often the college or university you had graduated from offers on line courses. I recommend that you thoroughly check out the programs authenticity of school on line. www.rileyguide.com, www.bls.gov, www.onetcenter.org, www.acinet.org, www.khake.com, www.careervoyages.gov, offer information about career paths, training, and education requirements, Visit your library for Videos, CD ROMs, books, and look at these web sites www.worldwidelearn.com, www.tutorials.com, www.aitechtraining.com Make sure the classes you attend add value to your “sell”. Don’t waste time or money on non-essential courses. Volunteer for lateral assignments within your company or organization. Obtain experience through an internship, community service, volunteer work, NGO board work, or project.
Offer to give a presentation on a specific topic of interest or value to a group. Stay current and keep abreast of current issues, developments, trends, and happenings in your field. Read current journals, look at fields specific Web sites. Challenge yourself to write an article for the local newspaper.
SELF PRESERVATION
A positive attitude goes far. Brush up on your outlook on life. Exercise, develop a hobby, meditate, walk, give to others, state an affirmative every day, and develop a positive viewpoint and smile.
Career Choices www.yourcareerchoices.com can help you find your path and direction during this Fall and Winter season.. My focus is on helping you to understanding yourself through identifying your options, making a plan and moving forward. I offer Career Counseling and Coaching either by phone or in person. E-mail me to set up an appointment at info@yourcareerchoices.com or call me on my cell at 617-489-6609. Office hours have changed so leave a message and I will get back to you.
Look forward to speaking with you,
