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How Can I Get My Career Back On Track?
Q: I really need to get it together this year because my credentials are as weak as my track record and I find it hard to get employers interested in me. I have little response when I send out my resume, and I haven't even had an interview in a while. I thought of getting my resume professionally written and I wouldn't mind paying for a career counselor to tell me what I should do. I want to take charge of my life this year. Do you have any ideas on what I should be doing to get employers to give me a chance?
ALISON ANSWERS: It's great that you want to make positive change this year and are gearing up to take charge of your own life. You realize that you've got some issues to overcome if you want to be competitive in the job market. You need to make a plan to figure out where, why and how you may have derailed your career in the past. Then, you'll be able to take the necessary actions to correct those problems and move ahead. But...(isn't there always a "but?")...you can't let someone else do your thinking for you! Professionals can sometimes be helpful in moving your career forward more efficiently, but no one knows you better than you do and there isn't a person on the face of the planet who can and should work harder for your success than you! Before you can move ahead you have to think through your next moves on your own. This type of hard work cannot be pawned off on a stranger. Here's a good way to start moving forward:
1. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM:
Start by considering your past to go forward. Ask yourself: "Why is my track record weak and why has my career derailed in the past?"
To help you answer this question, make a list of all the jobs you have held. Next to each item jot down:
* what attracted you to the job
* why you left
* what aspects of the job you liked best/least
* what skills you used and enjoyed/didn't enjoy
* areas where you excelled/could have done better
Look carefully at the list. Do you see a pattern in the jobs you have had? If you do you'll be able to make better choices and change things for the better. There are many reasons why you might have sabotaged your success in the past. Your list will help you figure out what you need to do to correct the problems, if you accept responsibility where it is due and take charge of fixing them! If you have been fired or quit a number of jobs you might be able to justify a few jobs that really were awful due to circumstances you couldn't control, but not every job! Have your job expectations been unreasonable? Have you displayed a bad attitude or poor interpersonal skills? Were you always professional and efficient or were there times when you just weren't motivated or skillful enough to be successful? Have you continually made poor choices and accepted jobs that were unsuitable for you? Be honest! Blaming someone or something else for the problems won't help you get closer to success.
2. MAKE A NEW PLAN:
Now that you have considered the past. Think about the present. You must have a clear idea of what you want to do, and what you have to offer if you want to move forward, otherwise how can you make good, relevant choices? Consider your skills. What kinds of skills do you already have? Which of those do you like to use best? What kinds of jobs use those types of skills? If it is apparent that you need additional training to do the kind of work you really want to do, find out what it will cost to get the training you need, and how long the process will take. In some cases you might get on-the-job training as part of a more junior position. You can "earn and you learn." If you still have trouble analyzing your skills and re-defining your career path after you've tried on your own, you might consider a few sessions with a career counselor. Make sure that you are clear what your goals are and get references before you hire any professional.
Meanwhile, look through the classifieds and take note of the technical skills that are most commonly required. Computer skills, for example, are a requirement for many jobs. If you've never used a computer before you will be less competitive from the get-go. You don't have to be a computer whiz, perhaps a short, introductory class will be enough to get you started.
As you've discovered, career investigations can be a lonely process with a lot of hard work involved, but no one can do this for you. Continue to believe in your abilities and you can and will reach your goals. Most importantly, you will have the empowering feelings of confidence and satisfaction that you get from meeting a challenge and conquering it by yourself!
3. GET COMPETITIVE!
Once you've done the above, there are many ways you can "get the knack" be competitive, and "get back on track." Here are just a few tactics to get you started:
Take a long, critical look at your resume. Make sure you are clearly representing your talents and experience, especially if it isn't netting the results you want. If you are switching gears and need additional training, see my comments above. I don't suggest paying someone else to create a resume for you, but if you are having a great deal of trouble with expressing yourself or your writing skills are very weak, write the first draft and give it to someone else to make suggestion and edit it for you. This can be a mentor or a paid professional. Again, make sure that you are clear what your goals are and get references before you hire anyone.
If you haven't had an interview in a while, you may broadcast a lack of confidence. If you look and feel healthy and confident, you will be more competitive in the job market! Make sure you take care of your health and exercise each week, instead of just sitting at home, worrying. Exercise actually produces a chemical reaction in your body which elevates your mood, relieves stress and increases your energy level. You might also consider a mini-image make-over to ensure that what employers see, when they look at you, is generally professional, pleasing and appropriate.
To be truly competitive, you must be a superior personal marketer. Practice your interview skills, especially if they're a bit rusty. Enlist the help of trusted friends, your job hunt success team, or mentors. Ask them to role-play with you by "interviewing" you with the types of questions you're most likely to get in interviews. Let them critique your performance.
4. INTERVIEW SAVVY 101:
On interviews, pay close attention to your body language. Actions often speak louder than words, so don't let your body language indicate that you are tired, lazy, bored, or scared out of your wits. Here are some basic "body language" pointers:
* Sit as naturally as you can and lean slightly towards the interviewer. Don't slump in your chair or sit strait as a poker without moving a muscle.
* Don't appear "closed" to others by folding your arms or wrapping them around your body
* A natural smile is your best expression you can use. It is a friendly gesture that also makes you feel good! But don't overdo it. Uncontrollable grinning or giggling is a sign of extreme nervousness
* Poor eye contact it gives the impression that you are dishonest, disinterested, or that you are very uneasy being around other people. Good eye contact is important to convey interest, sincerity, and honesty, but don't fix your gaze so hard that you look like you are blatantly staring.
* Look comfortable, but avoid doing anything "personal" while you are in public view. An interview is not the place to unbutton your collar, adjust your clothes, or off kick off your shoes. Other activities best left for the lavatory are: applying lipstick, combing hair, filing or clipping nails, or pulling up sagging pantyhose.
Getting "the knack" won't happen overnight, but if you feel discouraged at times, consider joining a job hunting success team or starting one of your own. For many, the positive, empowering effect of participating in a group is enough to help them through the tough times in this process. If your track record hasn't been the greatest, you may have to work harder, and look for a job a bit longer, than people whose skills, resumes, and references are in better shape, but you can get back on track this year. There's no time like the present to get started!
Alison Blackman Dunham, aka. "Advice Sister Alison, " is a life & career expert, online advisor, freelance writer, and creator of The Advice Sisters online publications. "The Advice Sisters®" are credited with bringing the advice genre, online. If you are seeking advice of any kind, this website is the right place! If you have a question, dilemma or problem that requires personal attention, consult Alison privately. Also check out The Advice Sisters Features Page with the latest additions to the site. Read the Advice Sisters Blog and enjoy the Bulletin Boards and Forums. For even more advice, inspiration and up-close-and-personal reviews, information and reports, get the free, bi-monthly AdviceSisters Enews by Email.