Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Job hunt stalled? A little preparation goes a long way

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Have you ever watched any of the popular shows that demonstrate how to make a recipe or bake something? Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray – they make it all look so easy. And, you can do it in 5 minutes or less. Presto – out comes a fully baked cake from the oven. Of course, any type of cooking or baking is a lot easier if someone first selects, cuts, chops and measures out the ingredients and cleans up for you after it is done.

I was thinking about this the other day. I have recently done a lot of entertaining (including all my own shopping, chopping and cooking), and I happened to have some extra cut up onions. Once I realized I had a “start” to dinner, it was so easy for me to get cooking. A sauce was brewing in no time at all – and no tears!

I know that job seekers who are able to “get everything ready” for their search feel the same way – that it isn’t so hard getting going once all of the “ingredients” are lined up (such as a resume, online profile and a plan). Of course, comparing a job hunt to making dinner is a stretch, but the concept is sound: getting things ready, having everything in order makes getting started easier.

If you are a job seeker (or soon-to-be job seeker) without everything in order (or maybe you don’t know where to start), Encore.org offers many terrific resources. Their mission revolves around helping people transition to jobs in the nonprofit world and the public sector, so this is a *must use* resource for anyone thinking of making that change.

I blogged about Encore.org’s “Get Started Guide,” and shared their quote from Herminia Ibarra, author of Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, (with regard to a career change) “Doing comes first, knowing second…It’s a transition, not a transaction.” (From Part One of the Guide.)

So – if you are thinking of a change, but don’t know where to get started – get doing!

Part Two of Encore.org’s Guide helps job seekers begin to answer the question, “What do I need to know about job hunting these days?” It offers a number of great resources for anyone considering making a change to a career that will help you contribute to a better world. Visit the site to download it for free!

Be sure to take a look at the stories of people who have made a transition to a career focused on helping others and you may just be inspired to take that road yourself!

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No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by bunchofpants

Job Change – Is it the other inevitable?

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Here we thought that only death and taxes were inevitable.  Looks like “change” is peering her head around that same corner, and I don’t mean the change that the politicians keep bantering about.  I mean the real, honest-to-goodness, things are going to change around here kind of change that happens at work.

Some are suggesting that some of the very tenants of our work world are likely to change as baby boomers retire and our system adjusts.  That may be years down the road, but talk of recession and lots of pink slips make talk about change a definite here and now topic.

How can you prepare for change?  Some thoughts…

 1.  Keep your head out of the sand.  You don’t want to engage in unsavory gossip, but make it your business to know the skinny in your area and the company at large.  Touch in with professionals in competing companies as well so you’ll have a finger on the pulse of your industry.

2. Make yourself vital.  Volunteer for projects.  Don’t complain.  Become an expert in a niche market.  Specialize in something useful and leverage your services when change comes around the bend.

3. Keep your eye on the prize.  What are your goals?  Plans?  Do you hope to move up the ladder in your company?  Move on to another industry?  If you don’t have plans, change will come and hit you in the face.  I don’t have to tell you that most people who are hit in the face aren’t going to be lucky enough to have much say in the directions they go.  Don’ t let that be you. 

Keppie Careers will help you prepare for your next career step.  We offer resume writing, career coaching, and an array of services to help you make the best change possible…www.keppiecareers.com