Career and job search strategy is a matter of back to basics
Clients come to me with a wide variety of concerns. Family matters, the boss, work pressures and a host of other matters can create tension and unhappiness, which can, if not addressed, lead to more serious issues.
We have seen time and time again the demise of firms, industries and technologies, and economic downturns with devastating impact on tens of thousands of families. Yet with all of that, most people have exhibited a remarkable ability to adapt and survive, finding within themselves the strength and determination to move forward. Some do very, very well. Others have not done as well.
As a professional community we have every right to be proud of our performance. I even think we sometimes take for granted our collective will to succeed and the energy we pour into building new careers, or picking up the pieces of a career that has been temporarily sidelined.
As a counselor, I am continually striving to understand what is going on in the employment field, to better advise clients. But I also need to understand the forces that impact employment in general. Frequently, clients have no idea that interesting opportunities are available in seemingly unrelated areas, areas in which the client’s skill levels are readily transferable either directly or with a little training. In fact, as we have seen industries pass their peak and new industries emerge, most people figure this out on their own.
When considering the entire set of job search challenges, the list is actually quite short. With many clients, perhaps most, their weaknesses in succeeding with a search is generally due to a poor career choice, poor job search tactics or a lack of motivation.
It is not my intention to minimize the often complex and discouraging barriers people encounter as they move forward. Nor do I ignore the long and often frustrating efforts required before finally succeeding. What I do insist is looking for a job, or finding the right career is not rocket science. Rather, it is the consistent and persistent application of a set of simple steps, applied with skill and determination that ultimately wins the day.
The first, a good career choice, is ignored by too many people. Being both successful and unhappy is not a job requirement, but so many people get so little satisfaction from their success, one might think they go hand-in-hand. We can all understand when an individual is both unhappy and unsuccessful, often moving from job to job seeking a position that would bring a measure of happiness and a sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, too many have embarked on careers for which they are unsuited by temperament, values, element of risk (too much or too little), or a host of other factors, and succeed very well. Yet they are miserable, and don’t know why.
When it finally dawns that a new start with a new career choice is necessary, that revelation can have an enormous impact on morale and motivation. My personal job satisfaction increases when clients see that a new beginning is very viable and start building toward a new set of goals.
The second factor, job search tactics, is the most straightforward. Good resumes, good networking techniques, good interviewing skills and other job search tactics require both a little art and a little science. Most require thoughtful planning, an objective view of your accomplishments, an informed view of what firms are looking for beyond the specific skills of the job, and a willingness to do the homework and take the time to develop professional job search tools. Slapping together a resume and throwing it at Monster.com in the hope that it will stick, just doesn’t work.
The final factor, motivation, can be the simplest or the most complex. Finding a new career choice can be an immense motivator. Frequently I encounter individuals who feel guilty because they are successful and productive with a favorable economic situation, but are nevertheless miserable. They don’t want to rock the boat, but have to make a change. I well understand. When family circumstances are involved a career change can be a very big and even a traumatic decision.
For others, lack of motivation could be related to a long string of unsuccessful efforts. I have consistently preached that giving up is not an option. Those that succeed, succeed because they don’t give up.
Make sure the tools you are using and your approach is viable. Don’t ignore the possibility these difficulties stem from poor presentation, not a lack of value as a person or a professional.
Finally, we have that very small group of people who lack motivation and have always lacked motivation. They have skated through with family help or luck or help from others but are now faced with a stark choice. This is the most vexing and difficult group with whom to communicate. Often the parents or a significant other are the driving force for change.
For this group I have no answer. We say life is what we make of it and in the absence of a calamity, each of us is the captain of his own ship. Where we choose to steer it is up to us.
Article written by: Judit Price, http://www.careercampaign.com
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
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March 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Tina Russell