Making the decision to change careers is definitely a stressful process. Changes are made for many different reasons; job dissatisfaction, economy fluctuations, income, and lack of advancement are all incentives to make career changes. Once the decision has been made, measures should be taken to make the transition a smooth, lucrative and rewarding experience. Below are five points to consider before ever leaving your current job. Proper assessment of each point will help you facilitate an enjoyable transition.

THOROUGH CAREER CHANGE EVALUATION – Search inward and outward to find the reasons for the desire to change careers. Some decisions are made easily and for very practical and clear reasons. Those still unsure should search to understand why they want to change careers. What are they trying to leave behind and what are they looking for? Are you looking for changes in your industry, field, position or all three?

Determine if this new career choice is the right job and fit for you before you give notice? Have you looked into requirements for the position, the growth potential, or what skills you will be regularly using? Have you anticipated how the career change will affect your family and personal life? Realistic understanding of your new career will help to ensure satisfaction of the job once you have obtained it. After evaluating your options and deciding that a career change is the right decision – you can be confident in moving forward and giving full attention to your new career search.

DOCUMENTATION PREPARATION – Before giving notice and jumping into your new career, get all your ducks in a row. This includes all career documents beginning with your resume, cover letter, thank you letter and reference list. Your new documents should showcase your transferable skills relevant to your new career choice. Your cover letter should also include transferable skills and provide examples of how you can contribute to a new company. All documents should emphasize the skills and accomplishments applicable to your new career.

References can be a deal maker or breaker and are something valuable to invest time in. Always ask permission before including anyone on your reference sheet. Provide an outline if possible for what should and should not be included in the reference. Groom your contacts by providing skill sets, accomplishments and examples that would be appropriate affirmations for the desired position.

PRACTICAL PLANNING – What will it take to be successful in your new career? It is crucial you are aware and prepared for what is expected of you. Do you need to become certified in something, complete a degree, or pursue a masters program? Talk with others in the position and build your network in your new field. Find out the pitfalls to be aware of and discover the best ways to get noticed and ahead.

DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH – A career change within the same industry can be used to your advantage. You already have an in-depth understanding of the industry and this can be an added value highlighted on your resume, cover letter and during interviews. Existing contacts within the industry can and should be relied upon for networking. The majority of jobs found (some say as high as 80%) involve some form of networking. Networking within the same industry may be a bit tricky if you don’t want your current employer to know you are searching for a new position.

Careers sought outside of your current industry will take a little more work for network development, however joining associations, utilizing LinkedIn and other online networking sites can help. Having a flexible time frame is optimal because you would then be able to select the best fitting job instead of feeling pressure to take the first job that meets most of your requirements.

DON’T BURN BRIDGES WHEN LEAVING YOUR CURRENT JOB – Make every attempt to leave your current position on a positive note. A helpful reference will be much easier to acquire from a boss, department head or coworker that enjoyed working with you and respected your work. Depending on your new career you may easily be back in contact with your old employer or former company. You may even be able to find contacts for your new career through someone at your current employment.

Try Something New to Take the Insanity out of Your Job Search

I’ve gone to the same mall area shopping for Christmas presents three times in the last couple of weeks. Each time I have gone, I come home less and less satisfied with the amount of purchases I made. I just can’t seem to find what I am looking for at the stores available in that location. With just a week left until Christmas and with more than a few presents left to purchase, I decided to change my game plan.

What is the old Einstein saying; “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Well I decided to stir things up, not go insane and try and new shopping venue.

Wow! Was I excited to find new stores that had new ideas and gifts I had been looking for! I even went in to some of the same stores as the other location but they had a different variety of items to choose from and again was successful.

When the day of shopping was through, I had successfully crossed off every item on my list. I drove home thinking of how thankful I was to not have decided to give my usual stomping ground another try. Some times you’ve got to move away from routine to find the best deals.

Before you go insane in your job search, make sure to shake up your routine every once in a while. Take stock in the results of your efforts. If something isn’t working for you – try something new. Just because your friend was wildly successful on a specific LinkedIn group or networking event doesn’t mean you will immediately get the same results. Take hold of what Einstein said and try something else.

For example, if you are only working with job boards get involved in online groups in LinkedIn or one of the really great job search groups on Ning or Yahoo Groups. If you tend to visit more than network at networking groups try a new one, and develop a new elevator speech that accentuates your strengths and personal brand. Check out industry associations, newspapers, groups, or volunteer somewhere but try something new.

The most important thing to remember is to be creative and open to new ideas or suggestions, find what works for you and keep moving forward. Even with the Holiday season in full swing, now is still a good time to be setting up new year meetings and filling that pipeline with contacts and networking activities that target and work towards your goals. Keep your goals close and review them often to keep you focused and motivated. Save yourself the grief of driving yourself crazy by not trying new strategies, techniques, activities or groups to help you find the job you deserve.

For anyone who has enjoys listening to the heart felt harmonies, guitar or piano inspirations of Diamond Rio, you’ll truly enjoy their new book, Beautiful Mess – The Story of Diamond Rio. I have to reveal here, that I am a huge fan of their music – they turned me on to country music in the early 90’s with Meet in the Middle. I remember after I finally heard the name of the band I ran out and got their first CD and most of their following CD’s as well.

So much of this book sent me back in time as it talked about their songs and it let me get a peek at the lives and loved ones that made their band so strong. I loved the individual biography sections for each member. It really gives readers a true understanding of who the men of Diamond Rio are and what made them such determined and talented individuals.

The wrap up brought the group back together as a whole and let us in on the tragedies and challenges they faced and how they got through and overcame them by staying together. The book shares the about the charities that are most precious to Diamond Rio and what they have done to make a difference for these organizations. Now with the group back together and stronger than ever, they are ready to move forward – and I can’t wait!

I applaud the band for staying true to their gifts and not falling prey to many of the vices that come with fame and fortune. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves country music, Diamond Rio, or biographies. I look forward to their future work, especially their potential in the Christian genre – something I’ve been waiting for and expecting.

I used to love the old Patty Loveless song, “…life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same…” Remember that song? I often find myself humming that song when I think about how life isn’t meant to stay the same. It is about how we respond and react to change. Seeing change and lots of it – in the economy and job market these days reinforces for me, that life is about change and the choices we make while change is happening.

This leads me then to think about job seekers and the different choices they make that directly lead to the success or lack of success in their job search. I talk daily with job seekers and it is easy to spot those that will find jobs quicker than others.

Success isn’t about their education or professional experience or even who they know. It is about their attitude and the choices they are making.

I love working with the client who is excited to complete work on their resume and is actively strategizing, researching and networking while we work on the resume. Their outlook is strong and positive and motivation is high. There isn’t any blame discussed and carried around like I see many candidates doing. The only thing that blame does is hold back job seekers from being productive.

They choose to hold on to the ill feelings of blame and resentment – complaining to anyone who will listen. It tells me and anyone else within ear shot that this candidate is carrying lots of baggage and treading water instead of moving forward with change and opportunity.

Instead of blaming past employers, past employees, economics, job market, government, family or anyone else they can think of, stay focused on what you can change and what you have control over. Some people naturally see the glass half empty, some learned to think this way. For those that do think this way – practice looking for the good in everything. It will help in your job search and in enjoying life in general.

Having a positive attitude while job searching will be reflected in how you address contacts, hiring managers, recruiters and those asking for your help and may determine the outcome of your search. Choose wisely and work at keeping your focus on present happenings and future goals, not on blaming the past for your current situation.

Shine on job seekers!!

Thursday’s Review

Finished a great book a few days ago and wanted to share it with you. It is an inspiring book written by an ex-corporate junkie that found and fell in love with being an entrepreneur. In her new book Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pam Slim has given readers an easy read that is packed with real, practical content.

Pam Slim provides an awareness for the reader of what to expect emotionally and steps to take as they plan their departure from corporate stress and trappings toward independence and the freedom to begin their own business. This book really highlights the stress and feelings felt at each step and how to practically deal with them as they arise with dozens of examples, including many personal ones to cement the understanding. There are also many resources to help get you through each stage.

For the entrepreneur, Escape from Cubicle Nation also focuses on the vital importance of life balance and keeping happiness and personal life at the forefront of each decision. If you don’t have a balance you won’t be truly happy with your decisions – know matter what they are. But, she doesn’t hold back on the effort that will be involved with the decision, it isn’t one that should be made hastily.

The book provides great ideas to help you determine your own unique direction and passion and then walks through the business side of building a business plan, website, marketing strategies and more. Having gone through many of the stages and steps in the book as a business owner myself, I love that she prepares the reader for things they wouldn’t even know about until they were hit broadside with it during their own transformation.

If you are in the process or even just dreaming of taking the leap to owning your own business, I strongly recommend reading Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pam Slim. This book gives a real look at the process, pitfalls and paradise found in owning your own business.

Monday’s PMA

Refreshed after a long, fun weekend I am hoping job seekers will jump back on the band wagon and recommit to working daily on their job search. If what you are doing isn’t working…change what you are doing.

Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

I’ve been focusing on this quote for the last few weeks as I work to improve my efficiency while expanding my customer service. I am trying to take notice of how I do things, in what order and what the results are. If certain processes or routines are taking too much time, I am working to rearrange things to improve my performance.

Working on so many resumes involving quality, six sigma, lean management etc. must be wearing off on me. Focusing on the processes in my own business will free up time to write more resumes, take on additional coaching clients, write more articles, work on my marketing, or just give me a little extra free time. The same holds true with job seekers.

If you’ve been spending an hour a day on the same 3 job boards with little or no results…you need to change things up a bit. Check out new sites. Check into different industries or fields. Maybe join a few new networking groups, speaking groups, economic clubs, industry association groups, or other professional groups that meet in your area.

Or try something a little more social. Google your town or read the newspaper to find out what is happening in your town that will help you meet new contacts. It could be job fairs, chamber or school board meetings, volunteer projects, Friday night music in the park, or church activities. Be creative, positive, curious and bold, and try something new! See what works and what doesn’t.

Track your time and actions for a week. How repetitive are your actions? What are the results? By being more organized with your time you can be more productive in your job search and learn what is working and what isn’t. Try a little lean management to get your job search revved up and to find ways to spend your time more wisely.

Shine On!

Monday’s PMA

This weekend and even this morning catching up with friends on Twitter, the topic of conversation varied but all focused on change. Change taking place in our personal lives and around the world in our professional lives every day. Talking with many on the changes in their lives, some were all for it while others were trying to control it, but all were noticing it.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.  ~Victor Frankl

It is much easier to accept change and work with it than to avoid, deny, or fight change, but it usually takes a bit of fighting with it before accepting the challenge to change our selves – our thoughts. You don’t have to like the change occurring, but at least realize it is happening with or without your permission or approval.

You do still have control though. The control you have is to understand you have a choice in accepting and reacting to the change. You can fight it, be angry and get nothing accomplished or you can decide you will figure out how to use this change to get the most out of the situation.

In the case of a job loss, so many people are being laid off at the same time that it seems like know one has a choice. But individually you’ve got a lot of say in how you respond to your job loss. Most walk around in shock, disbelief or denial for a while, decide to take an extended vacation and then eventually get into the job search mode. Even once they’ve decided to look for a job, the effort – honestly, is pretty weak.

Then there are those that immediately accept this change. They don’t waste time in realizing there is no changing the lay off decision, but decide they have a choice on how to proceed. They use this privilege of choice, to make the most of their new situation and look at it as an opportunity.

These are the job seekers that find the jobs. Right now, it might take a little longer than say 2 or 3 years ago, but the motivated job seekers are still the ones landing the good jobs. Their attitude is louder than their words, because it reveals their drive and their confidence level. It is this go-getter attitude that will get their resume ready quickly, get in them touch with old contacts and help them make new ones daily, develop a plan, network often,  land interviews and get them the job.

So, your choice is to pick yourself and you attitude up and go find what you are looking for or sit back and watch others achieve their goals. I know what I would do…how bout you?

 Tuesday’s Tips

More and more companies are making it mandatory to submit online job applications. Even if you have been introduced to the right person and have already provided them with a dynamite resume you still may be asked to apply online. Although new technology is making the process much more user friendly, it is still easy to make a mistake that just might boot your resume out without you realizing it. Tips for a successful online application submission include:

1.  Keep in mind that many of the applications only allow you to have a specific amount of time to complete the online application. This is a problem if you have to go and look for documents or if it just takes you a long time to input all your information. A hint for this is to download and if possible print out the application. This allows you to fill out the application and prepare what you are going to say at your own pace and before actually heading to the company website. Once you have everything you need you can go to the application area and cut and paste all the answers, saving you time and reducing the chance for errors.

If you are able to include the cover letter in the application – do so! Your cover letter is your personality, passion and your voice. Many times there will even be a designated place that allows for the cover letter, which means they want to see yours. The same goes for the reference area, if there is a space or section for your reference contacts they are asking to see your list so be sure to include it.

2.  Learn the right way to download your resume. Many applications will ask you to cut and paste your documents, in an application friendly version or format. When you change your resume from a presentation style resume completed in .doc format to a simpler form they are called electronic, scannable, and ASCII documents. Usually these documents have been saved as rich (.rich) or text (.txt) documents and have all the bells and whistles removed. Some application programs won’t allow attachments and documents must be cut and pasted, these altered resumes will work effectively for this purpose.

3.  Another important thing to remember is while you are applying online to save every page of the application if there is a save button on each page. Some application builders will empty the information when you forward to the next page if you haven’t saved it. It should say in the instructions of the application if you are able to save page by page and if you can leave the site and return later to finish the application.

4.  Each application form is different. Read the instruction completely for each one you fill out and answer all questions. Don’t leave anything blank. It sends a negative message that you don’t have the ability to finish something, follow directions or use the computer competently. If there are extra areas to answer – answer them. Sometimes employers want to learn a little something about you outside of your skills. They might be looking for the way you use your free time, how you feel about certain issues or just looking for something that is extraordinary about you but wouldn’t fit anyplace else on the application form.

5. Online submissions can be advantageous for both the employer and the candidate. Employers have less paper shuffling and can keep information organized and prefer to compare candidates using a collective database. Some companies will no longer accept hard copies of resumes so learning to apply online the right way is in your best interest. With the removal of the presentation (.doc) formatting, the resume offers only the content to notice and nothing else to distract the manager.

For the candidate it is a matter of convenience, a job seeker can apply after work hours or on the weekend and fill it out correctly when they have the time to do it. It evens the playing field of by having your abilities and skills looked at instead of who you know. With that being said, I would still count on a personal contacts to get your name and resume in front of the right person. A referral helps the candidate get noticed and automatically helps the hiring manager by providing a candidate that someone from the company is vouching for.

The way I start out my blog week, professional week, and personal week is with gratitude and a positive attitude. It can be hard to do and even takes practice and a lot of determination but it is worth it. It really helps direct my week and makes it much more productive.

Here’s what I know and focus on. Today I am thankful my family is healthy, new clients continue to call for my help every day, that I am able to help new clients every day work on their professional goals that help their personal and professional life flourish, and my son comes home for the summer in just 5 days.

When areas of my life aren’t going so well – and there usually are areas that aren’t, I focus on the things that are going well and ask God to take care of the rest. It keeps me sane and helps me to stay productive so that I am able to take care of the things I can and live, for the most part, a happy life.

I hope that you are able to stay focused on your career goals and stay positive during your job search. As I know I’ve said before, confidence and a positive attitude is heard on the phone as well as seen in person. Make sure you exude both when talking to recruiters, hiring managers and potential contacts. If you don’t believe you – neither will they.

So – focus your thoughts on the positive things you know about yourself. Focus on things like, your value, your past contributions, your work ethics, your educational background, your experience, your achievements and your uniqueness. Shine bright so others will see what you have to offer – attract attention with your positive potential and watch how good things and opportunities are attracted to you. Have a great Monday and week job seekers!

Thursday’s Review 

I’m sure we can all agree that we need some encouragement and understanding of the opportunities that come with major changes in environments. So, in keeping with this thought I decided to investigate the top industries and positions that job seekers looking for change or just getting started can hopefully check out to see if one of these industries could be a viable career choice for you.

 New graduates out there, keep in mind the future is where you need to be looking, not the present. See what industries are hot and focus on starting your search in those areas.

According to an expert in the area of careers Marty Nemko, Contributing columnist for Kiplinger.com, in his March 2009 updated article, 13 Hot Jobs in Hard Times here is his list:

Accounting

Education

Entertainment Industry

Utilities

Repairers

Energy Industry

Health Care

Senior Services

Law Enforcement

The Clergy

Repossession, Foreclosure, and Debt collection Industries

Government Work

I also checked out the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) the government provides as part of its annual statistics. For the 2008-2009 year this is what they’ve come up with for the 30 Fastest Growing Occupations:

Network systems and data communications

Personal and home care aides

Home health aides

Computer software engineers,

Veterinary technologists and technicians

Personal financial advisors

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance

Medical assistants

Veterinarians

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder Counselors

Skin Care Specialists

Financial Analysts

Social and human service assistants

Gaming surveillance officers and gaming

Moderate-term on-the-Investigators

Physical Therapists Assistant

Pharmacy Technicians

Forensic Science Technicians

Dental Hygienists

Mental Health and substance abuse social workers

Mental Health Counselors

Marriage and Family Therapy

Dental Assistant

Computer systems analysts

Database Administrators

Computer software engineers, systems Software

Gaming and sports book writers and runners

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

Manicurists and pedicurists

Physical therapists

Physicians Assistant

What this means to you as a job seeker is that if you are completely up in the air on what direction you want to look to find a new career, this is a good start. As I’ve discussed in other articles, doing what interests you and what you are good at also have to be deciding factors. However, if you’ve got experience, education, or a desire do what it takes to find a career that is sustainable I would look into these industries and jobs and see what areas are worth taking a closer look.

Opportunity seems to still be hiding for some but take a closer look and you’ll see it’s getting easier to find every day! Shine On Job Hunters!