I hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing and healthy, happy holiday season! It's been a while, hasn't it? I've been hibernating. It's so cold in Michigan, much colder than even seasonal for this time of year – and we're just now kicking into the 'real winter months'. Sigh. If only the High School Senior were done, and the housing market better, I'd be looking for work in the sunbelt someplace.
Anyway, the last time we 'chatted', I had applied for a position with an ex-boss's company. I still haven't heard anything from him or his Human Resources department, so I'm going to send him an email asking if they filled the position. I'm ambivalent about the position itself, but I do feel like I've been left hanging – and that's definitely NOT the kind of company I want to work for.
Since I've taken the holidays off and told myself that I would kick up the effort in January (darned calendar!) I attended an orientation with a professional outplacement center. In my case, three months worth of career counseling and resource assistance were part of my severance package (and usually, an employer will provide some level to laid-off employees), but if you're going it on your own, you want to deal with a reputable firm – you can find one through the Association of Career Firms International – the trade organization for companies specializing in career management.
This AARP article (yes, that AARP) also has some excellent tips and links.
So, following the advice I learned at that orientation, I've been focusing on really buckling down and getting my act together for this whole job search thing.
- Figure out what I want to do – ideally a couple of things, because, as we all know, the economy is not being very kind these days. So far, I'm considering working through a consulting firm (great for contacts), going into business for myself (as a consultant – much more difficult), or getting my teaching certificate. (Actually, I'll probably still get certified, I'd love to go back to teaching High School/College kids). There's still the option of going back into the corporate world as well.
- Research! What's the market like in your areas of interest? What will it take to get that certificate? Use the library and the internet. Check out database subscriptions. D&B Million Dollar Database can help you find companies (and most importantly, contacts within those companies) in any industry. You can narrow your search by location, company size, or a multitude of other categories.
- Get your resume ready. I just heard the collective groan, and believe me, I understand! I hadn't had to create a resume in over 16 years. Here's a hint – get a good resume book to help (or check one out at the library) and draft, revise, draft, revise, over and over again. Have friends that know you look at it. Think about creating a functional resume rather than a chronological resume if you're thinking of a career change.
- Then comes the hard part. (Like all of that wasn't hard enough already? I hear you asking.) Call some companies that you'd like to work for. See if you can set up an informational meeting with someone. KNOW your stuff, though. Be prepared to go in and ask questions, and sell yourself.
These are not hour-long exercises. This is an ongoing process, and what I get out of it will determine how happy I am in what I choose to do with the rest of my life. As I go through these steps, I'm learning about myself.
I am making choices that may very well determine what my future holds. I'm asking myself questions – What did I like about my last company? What didn't I like? What can I not live without? What was the happiest day I ever had at work? The answers I'm coming up with are pointing me to a different answer than I would have had 60 days ago when I shut down my computer and handed in my badge.
Which is a lovely surprise all by itself.
Ree can be found blogging at My Life as a Hotfessional, where you can hear about the rest of the craziness in her life, including what it's like living with a retired husband, two sons, a dog and two cats. Stop by for a visit!
Loading ...
I'm a bit too close to retirement age to begin thinking about career changes, but if I were going to do something like that, I would follow my own advice – Make sure that whatever it is you do do, it's something you LOVE doing – because there's little worse than having to get up every morning for a job you hate.
That's exactly it. Sometimes it's hard to define what it is you "love" though. I mean, I'm quite comfortable and confident speaking in front of groups, but I don't think I'd love being in the public all the time. And I love to knit and crochet, but I am simply not accomplished enough at either to make a living at it.