This winter, plan to do something different: prepare the ground now for your spring planting. I am not referring to your garden, but to your potential job change. Winter Si the perfect time to do some readying. Explore occupations you have considered or just read about different industries and their growth areas.
A few of the more popular and easy to access Internet sites include O*NET at http://www.onetcenter.org which is sort of the online version of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). O*NET has information on hundreds of popular job titles with a brief piece of information about each one. The Occupational Outlook Handbook OOH) also contains information about occupational clusters. You can read detailed information about hundreds of occupational clusters at www.bls.gov. Find out about the kinds of work involved, the educational background or training needed, the kinds of industries or organizations that hire people to do that kind of work, and more. You can even find information about average salaries in the U.S. in those occupations listed. Both the DOT and OOH are also available at most libraries in the Reference Section.
In addition to learning more about the world of work, you should reflect on your personal career-related preferences so that you are clear on the kinds of activities you enjoy doing, the skills you enjoy and want to use or need to learn, and other personal factors that relate to your potential satisfaction with your career direction. Of course, if you would like to complete some formal or informal assessments to identify or clarify your career-related interests, activities, values, and other personal traits, that service is available.
Although you may not want to start a new job campaign right now, winter is the perfect time to create a well-developed plan for your next change. You should also update your resume, if it has been a while since you dusted it off or updated it. That way, when the trees begin to bud and the early spring flowers bloom, and you are more energized; you can take full advantage of those days by taking action to achieve your new goals.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice; providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is certified as a Distance Credentialed Counselor.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x 3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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