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Changing Careers Is More Than Just Changing Jobs
by Tammie Chestnut If you are a true careerist, you've read articles on interviewing and job search techniques, accepting a job offer, writing a resume and the list goes on and on. All of which I'm sure was very insightful, however, you have a different kind of problem. You are either just starting a career, seeking a career change, furthering your education or worst, stuck in a career that you hate. Well this article is for you. There is nothing worse than not knowing what career you want than actually being in a job, day in and day out that you hate. How do people end up in these situations? Don't you know going in that you will eventually hate the job and loose morale over time? Don't you know that a very likeable job can easily become a career that you hate? Let's talk about the difference between a career and a job for a moment. Both have similar meanings but are actually quite different when you analyze them from a different perspectives. Some of the similarities are obvious, a steady paycheck, a purpose, contribution to society and improved self-worth and esteem. Now the differences on the other hand, are a little bit more complicated than money and having a place in society. Your vocational choice determines how you see yourself futuristically and how you will find your way to the right career track. Now, let me just state right away that in the overall scheme of things, there really isn't any such thing as the 'perfect job'. In fact, the term 'job' seems to indicate a temporary function or something that changes daily whereas a career is more permanent with a more professional feel to it. Basically, a job is work no matter how many ways you slice it and eventually can become burdensome and even unrewarding. The trick is to find what you enjoy doing, turn it into a career and have fun. When the need arises, move on to something more fulfilling for you or more simply, change careers. People who find themselves in unsatisfying roles are often there because they never took the time to discover their most pertinent desires, nor have they calculated their skills and abilities. Often times people end up in a career field because someone they respect, like a mother or father thought they would be good at it or their role model does it for a living. They never stop to evaluate what they really want to do for themselves. Do you know what kind of career you want to pursue? You are more likely to enjoy a career that matches your interests, goals, and abilities. Do you want a career where you earn lots of money? Do you want to have many responsibilities? The career you look for will depend on what you want from a job. THE NEW TREND Hopping from career to career isn't uncommon these days; it's almost becoming quite routine. Jobs in the United States now last an average of 4.2 years. The average person accomplishes six to eight job hunts in a lifetime and makes three career/job changes. Everyone is changing careers these days. Teachers become real estate agents. Stock brokers buy fast-food franchises. Middle managers learn to write software programs and sell them to their previous employers. The list is endless, and for good reason. There's no excuse for sticking with a career that you no longer enjoy, aren't good at anymore or has been taken away from you. Frequent job turnover sometimes can be attributed to company layoffs, but many people simple become dissatisfied or even miserable. The massive restructuring of corporate America has hastened this trend. Entire layers of management--as well as whole departments--are being eliminated without a second thought, tossing committed employees at all levels into a shaky job market. Some people are so eager to find new corporate homes, they're squeezing themselves into restrictive job requirements just to earn paychecks. What's worst, if you don't know what you want, someone may come along and sell you a job that could potentially destroy your self-esteem and put you off track for years. But many more are putting a positive spin on the situation. They see this as a chance to launch more meaningful, exciting and potentially challenging careers. Yet choosing which career to try next is rarely easy, whether you're 25 or 65. Some people have second jobs that can be expanded to fill their now- available time. But most are at loose ends. Fortunately, selecting a new career direction isn't difficult once you understand the process. MATCH YOUR PERSONALITY While researching potential new careers and employers is critical, it's even more important to make sure the career is a natural match with your personality. Most of us would like to be famous entrepreneurs, but few have the ability to take risks and live with uncertainty without looking back. A job as CEO of a major company might sound ideal, but what if that position requires constant travel, separating you from your family for weeks on end? Would you still be willing to make this commitment, even if the money and benefits are great? There are many ways to determine whether you have the right personality for a particular job. Some people spend time in the position on a part-time or temporary basis just to develop a feel for its pace. It's important to do your homework and identify the strongest and most enjoyable skills. The point is to find work that rouses passion and fully uses your aptitudes and abilities. Many simply have a gut feel for what they enjoy doing based on duties they've enjoying handling in the past. Whatever the case, take your time and develop a career plan, assess your skills and interests and determine clear career goals. ACHIEVING SUCCESS Once you've adopted career survival traits such as selfesteem, perseverance,persistence and self-confidence, you can effectively target jobs you'd enjoy tackling. You'll also be able to convince hiring managers that you're wellsuited to handle the position, even if you've never before performed its required functions. If you have the proper attitude and self-confidence, you'll find that companies are willing to take a chance with individuals with less skills for the required work. Throughout our work experiences, all of us are likely to look for work that we feel we were born to do. We sense there is a particular calling or talent meant for us alone, one that will fulfill our innermost need or self-worth. We all want our work to have significance, to be a gratifying experience that helps us grow into a enlightened and caring person. But, so many of us get lost on the career path, without hope for ever finding the right direction. If you are in that situation or even find yourself considering a career change after reading this article, reflect carefully on your current situation and ask yourself a few questions: · What contribution am I making? What contribution would I like to make? · What will be the value of the hours and years I'm spending when I look back on my life? · In what ways is my work helping people around me? · Do I consider my work a 'career' or a 'job'? A career change is a personal matter and involves goals focused on your strongest assets that can be utilized to find the work that is most meaningful and rewarding to you. If you believe you can do the work required in a new career, you will probably be very successful. Even if you are not 100 percent qualified, but are willing to learn and do what it takes to obtain the necessary skills, you will undoubtedly find the career path that is right for you. Tammie Chestnut is the President of The Resume Shop, a full service professional resume preparation and desktop publishing company. For additional self-marketing and career advancement tips surf to www.resumeshop.com or you can reach Tammie at 407-6410 or by e-mail at tammie@resumeshop.com