You will graduate soon. How can you sell yourself compared to a more experienced applicant? Stress how your education can be used in the firm. Emphasize a strong academic background. Discuss your work desire and drive by emphasizing part-time jobs. Mention extra-curricular activities and any group leadership position. Hobbies may relate to industry needs. Include items that have a positive and direct bearing on your qualifications.
Stress things such as problem solving skills, ability to learn quickly, integrity, reliability, human relation skills, determination, and aggressiveness. Be prepared to give actual examples of the traits you say you have. Every effort should be made to sell your potential.
Dissatisfied with your Job
Things haven't been going too well. The boss is on you all the time or doesn't pay any attention to you. The only type of thanks you get is having your assigned parking spot moved to the other end of the plant. Your last raise was just a token. Big things have been promised but they never happen. You've considered all the difficulties - you're ready to act.
You are certainly not alone if you have these feelings. Just about everyone - including your boss - has had some of these experiences.
Are you ready for a job change? A change means: new people, new procedures, possibly an entry level position, lower fringe benefits, a housing change, moving, and new schools for the children. Could you change the cause of your dissatisfaction?
Changing jobs involves some risk. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Consider your abilities, needs, and values. If your answers strongly suggest a change you probably would be wise to change or attempt a change. Reasons for making a job change include:
- Promotions are unavailable or difficult to obtain. Few positions open up and there is an excess of qualified employees. Salary increases and promotions go to friends and relatives of management.
- Assignments lack challenge; company ignores or fails to ask for ideas. Poor managers avoid risk and creativity in order not to affect those higher up. Management is unfair; promises are broken.
- Job performance is not reviewed regularly. Salary is low for your ability and achievements; few increases. No opportunity for a bonus based on company sales and profits.
- Boss is incompetent; procrastinates; shows weak leadership; limited notice of performance; refuses to give authority with responsibility. Communication is poor, misused, or almost missing.
- Industry is becoming obsolete. Little or no planning is being done for growth.
The desire to change jobs at mid-life has become a fact. People desire change because abilities, skills, interests, and life style have changed. Many people in specialized areas find themselves in a contracting industry with no immediate market for their job skills.
A successful major change means that your current skills can be transferred. If you haven't planned, it is almost impossible to obtain a job at the same level of income and responsibility. A major change also means losing rewards of seniority and experience. A minor change would produce a smaller loss of former material gains.
Determining what change to make requires a careful self-appraisal of talents and considering where you can sell them. If your skills are old, update your training. Courses in business, typing, accounting, science, auto repair, and maintenance crafts could be helpful.
To find rewarding jobs in different fields you must strongly stress that skills and experience can be transferred This means learning about the firms in which you seek employment. Explain how you will fit in and give examples. Remember, a successful career change requires planning to lower the risks. Do your studying and planning while still employed.
Looking While Employed
This can be difficult! If you work during the days, how can you arrange time off without management becoming suspicious? With rotation shifts or a shift change, day time contacts are easy. If you lie about being sick - or a relative is dying - in time you could be exposed and terminated! A telephone call may arrange an interview in the evening, just after work, or the weekend. A letter or resume may bring response.
Ask that prospective employers do not contact your current employer.
Fired or Laid Off
You just got the pink slip. Shock sets in. A job loss can be a brutal shock - to yourself and your family. A job loss is one of the most stressful experiences that a person can have. More stressful experiences are - death of a spouse, divorce, separation, jail, death of close relative, injury/illness, and marriage. The only good thing in a job loss is that you now know where you stand - outside. It is time for a fresh start.
However, it could have been worse; they could have kept you. If there are no problems about quality/ quantity of work or personality difficulties, the reason for termination is usually internal reorganization, company politics, or simple belt-tightening. If such is the case you are better outside of the firm; you would have little future in spite of your abilities. In time, you will grow because of a job loss.
It is the wise person who is reading this guide while employed. Anticipate a potential dismissal - act and plan before the company acts. Be prepared!
