Make it specific
I talked to a career changer this week. After working 20 years for a large public company, she was laid off. I asked her, "What is your ideal next job? Can you tell me a job that you would accept immediately and feel passionately that you cannot wait to get started?"
She did not have a specific answer for me. She told me about what kind of work that she would like, what her past skills are and how she might put them to use for her next job. Her resume was well written and documented job accomplished in a professional way. Nevertheless, the resume was not targeted for her ideal NEXT job. It was like reading the credits on a movie that has just ended.
I argue that the career-changer who has a specific job in mind, a vision of the ideal next career, is far more likely to get a fantastic outcome than a person who is seeking a broad range of positions. Don't make a job search unfocused. If you are in transition, build a resume around the ideal job - or two or three best jobs. Show the employer that you are prepared for the career that you are passionate about. Imagine how effective you will be if you direct all your attention to reaching a specific goal.
Want to talk about your career change? I would like to hear from you.
She did not have a specific answer for me. She told me about what kind of work that she would like, what her past skills are and how she might put them to use for her next job. Her resume was well written and documented job accomplished in a professional way. Nevertheless, the resume was not targeted for her ideal NEXT job. It was like reading the credits on a movie that has just ended.
I argue that the career-changer who has a specific job in mind, a vision of the ideal next career, is far more likely to get a fantastic outcome than a person who is seeking a broad range of positions. Don't make a job search unfocused. If you are in transition, build a resume around the ideal job - or two or three best jobs. Show the employer that you are prepared for the career that you are passionate about. Imagine how effective you will be if you direct all your attention to reaching a specific goal.
Want to talk about your career change? I would like to hear from you.
Posted by Steve Broe at 11/4/2009 10:15 PM 
Categories: Change, Career, work
Tags: Steve Broe Career Impact Coaching
Categories: Change, Career, work
Tags: Steve Broe Career Impact Coaching
Steve. Fist time at your blog. Nice design. And informative posts. During our crisis last year, I thought of giving up clarinet and starting over. Tough for a musician to think new career. Didn't have to change, but still in back of my mind. Always wanted to be "a postman or work in a greenhouse" since I was a kid. Perhaps some deep truth/validity to that statement. Thanks for your Twitter friendship.
David
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