Job hunting for today and tomorrow

Times are tough, and there’s no escape from that observation.

You’re miserable in your job, you have wanted to make a change for a while, but….now?

No one knows how the international economic crisis will impact your chances for getting a better position, but we do know a few things:

• This is the time for problem-solvers to come forward,
• This is the time to be very organized about your resources,
• This is the time to stick with what you have while looking for something better,
• This is the time to support and encourage others in your network, because they’re scared, too,
• This is the time to read and prepare for tomorrow’s market, which will surely be different,
• This is the time to be patient in your job search, because employers are also uncertain about their resources,
• This is the time to be realistic, not frozen with fear.

If you would like to speak with a career counselor, you will find it helpful to present your goals, your fears, and your assessment of your  current work situation. A trained counselor or coach will remind you that job opportunities will continue to exist, that you can use your current position to enhance or increase your skills, and that you are a person with infinite possibilities.

You can visit my website, www.anneheadley.com, for a full description of what a career counselor does, reviews of some current books which might interest you, and for contact information. I would love to hear from you.

• 
  

Post-vacation thoughts on work attitudes

I’ve just returned from a vacation in Ireland. And as I unpack, tackle paperwork and phone messages that await me, I want to reflect on the attitudes of people I encountered – the kind that create the lasting memories.

• People in Ireland are intensely interested in the United States, particularly the presidential election. They asked our opinions, offered their own, and freely identified key issues.
• The Irish people are educated regarding our country. They know the location of most of the states being mention in election coverage.
• The people we met seemed baffled that our government survives crisis after crisis and does not fall. We do not recall our leaders after unpopular wars, bank failures, or ignored natural disasters.
• The curiosity they exhibit toward visitors leads to a high level of customer service. People willingly walked a block or so with us to make sure we were headed in the right direction. They explained strange/exotic menu items. And the welcome smiles we encountered in pubs were genuine and warm.

What does this suggest to us?

• We might all try exhibiting curiosity and courtesy to visitors, especially foreign ones.
• We might learn a bit more. I didn’t know Kerry from Donegal or UIster from Munster, although I do now.
• We can welcome the chance to meet people who are different, with differing views, history, and situations. Rather than feel threatened, we can use any opportunity to broaden our own world views.

Does this have anything to do with your job search? I think it does. If you think the next job will be a more comfortable fit, maybe you can think about widening your comfort zone. You can become more positive about learning new ways of doing things.

If career counseling can help you widen your horizons, please feel free to contact me through my website. You can visit www.anneheadley.com for email and telephone information. I look forward to meeting with you.

Career Risk-taking: the payoff

Last week I wrote about an upcoming radio appearance on The Career Clinic. I mentioned feeling nervous, albeit recognizing an opportunity to enhance my own skills. Thank you to so many who wrote to wish me well, some of whom listened and sent notes of congratulations. I am blessed with friends like you!

When you extend yourself, you meet some interesting people along the way. The payoff for me was reconnecting with Maureen Anderson, longtime facilitator and career expert. Have you listened for your daily career inspiration? I suggest you bookmark TheCareerClinic.com and check it frequently.

Maureen has written a new book called The Career Clinic: 8 Simple Rules for Finding Work You Love. In this book, she has compiled stories of fifty fascinating people, all of whom have taken career steps considered illogical, doomed, and downright impossible, and they are all happier for it.

The stories are organized according to eight threads common to five or six of the career changers. In coming postings, I will be presenting the eight rules, in expectation that they will inspire you to take courage, take charge, and take the plunge toward doing something you love to do.

The postings will begin at the end of October.