Many of the people that I have talked to recently who are facing or are in the midst of an involuntary job change admit that they have mixed emotions about their situation. On the one hand, they often have disliked their work for a while, but just stayed with it. On the other hand, they are also very scared because of what the transition means. For many people, a job change is a significant event and even when the original job was no longer a satisfying one, it can still be a hard change to cope with.
If you are making an involuntary job change, there are a few things I would encourage you to keep in mind. The first is that such a forced change can cause an unexpected emotional upheaval or roller coaster. Just the uncertainty of what will come often brings an unsettled feeling. Beyond the obvious financial concerns, a significant aspect of our sense of self may be shaken. You may wonder - 'Who am I if I am not doing ______ work?' 'How do I greet people who ask, "What do you do?" or 'Who will hire me at this age?' These can be very challenging questions to consider.
I would encourage you to remember there are other questions you can consider in these circumstances. For example, 'What can I do now that I have this opportunity to redirect my life?' or 'What did I want to do when I was younger that I haven't done?' or 'What dreams have emerged at this stage of my life?' Although these can also be 'scary' questions, they can lead to more productive thinking. Involuntary, and voluntary, job losses can be complicated transitions to cope with and many people need external supports to assist them in working through the transition. There is no shame in seeking the help you need.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) 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 (DCC). Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email message to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What Is Keeping You From Following Your Dream?
As I meet with people I sometimes ask if they have 'dreamed of' becoming something or doing something that they have not yet done. Often the answer is 'yes', followed by a sigh or a chuckle. Other people seem to feel they don't even remember their 'dream job'. If you fall into either of those categories, my question to you is: What is keeping you from following your dreams?
Now, some people admit their last 'dream job' or 'dream activity' was so long ago that it is no longer appropriate. So you may want to disregard those dreams. But think about those other things you wanted to do. I encourage you to make a list of those dreams. Spend some time thinking, then writing them down, then dreaming some more. Come up with your new (or old) list of dreams.
Once you have created your list, then you can go through it to see if there are any dreams that fit together or could be combined. Some people prioritize their list so they can determine where to start. Wherever you want to start, start with a blank sheet of paper and across the top write out one of your dreams. Then start writing down things you would need to do to make that dream a reality. On a separate sheet of paper, write down any obstacles that may keep you from achieving your dreams. For each item you list as an obstacle, see if you can identify ways around it, through it, or over it. If you need some help with that part, you may want to ask some friends to brainstorm with you. The idea is to figure out how you can actualize your dreams and be prepared for any obtacles that may try to prevent it.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email message to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Now, some people admit their last 'dream job' or 'dream activity' was so long ago that it is no longer appropriate. So you may want to disregard those dreams. But think about those other things you wanted to do. I encourage you to make a list of those dreams. Spend some time thinking, then writing them down, then dreaming some more. Come up with your new (or old) list of dreams.
Once you have created your list, then you can go through it to see if there are any dreams that fit together or could be combined. Some people prioritize their list so they can determine where to start. Wherever you want to start, start with a blank sheet of paper and across the top write out one of your dreams. Then start writing down things you would need to do to make that dream a reality. On a separate sheet of paper, write down any obstacles that may keep you from achieving your dreams. For each item you list as an obstacle, see if you can identify ways around it, through it, or over it. If you need some help with that part, you may want to ask some friends to brainstorm with you. The idea is to figure out how you can actualize your dreams and be prepared for any obtacles that may try to prevent it.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email message to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Planning to graduate? Prepare now for a job search
If you are completing your education and planning to graduate soon, it is not too early to begin preparations for a job search. Obviously, you need to have at least a basic version of your resume and a draft of a cover letter. You can then adjust both documents based on the job you are interested in/applying for. You should be contacting people to serve as references for you. You will need to create a list of references with their contact information.
In addition to the written preparations, you should also think about your wardrobe. You will need a decent suit to wear to interviews and a few different shirts or blouses to wear with your suit. Although a strict business suit may not be required, you should be able to dress a little better than you would if you were already working where you have an interview. Women should wear a conservative blouse - so that it is not too revealing. Your jewelry should be modest, if you wear jewelry. Men should have a nice shirt and tie that is not too wild. Of course you need a nice pair of shoes that are polished. You should plan to wear shoes that are not too flashy and are comfortable to walk in.
Unless you need to carry samples of your work, e.g. for design or art students, you would not necessarily need a briefcase, although that can be a nice touch. You do need a portfolio type notebook where you can write your questions and other information you need for the interview and carry an extra copy of your resume, your work history, reference sheet, etc. It should also include pens and blank paper in case you want to write something down.
As you get closer to interview time, you will want to check your personal appearance. Some of the haircuts and hair dos worn today may not be appropriate for a working professional. If you have body parts pierced or tattoos, you should consider whether it is appropriate to have those visible during an interview. You should also typically limit yourself to no more than one pair of earrings.
The idea is that you should present yourself to potential employers as a capable, competent professional - as if you were already working in your desired field. Some smaller companies have a more relaxed work environment than many large corporations, but you are generally better off to go conservative. It is usually better to be a little overdressed than to appear too casual in an interview. Of course, there are some exceptions - depending on the industry in which you will be interviewing, but for the most part, it is better to take a conservative approach.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice, providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her Web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
to contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
In addition to the written preparations, you should also think about your wardrobe. You will need a decent suit to wear to interviews and a few different shirts or blouses to wear with your suit. Although a strict business suit may not be required, you should be able to dress a little better than you would if you were already working where you have an interview. Women should wear a conservative blouse - so that it is not too revealing. Your jewelry should be modest, if you wear jewelry. Men should have a nice shirt and tie that is not too wild. Of course you need a nice pair of shoes that are polished. You should plan to wear shoes that are not too flashy and are comfortable to walk in.
Unless you need to carry samples of your work, e.g. for design or art students, you would not necessarily need a briefcase, although that can be a nice touch. You do need a portfolio type notebook where you can write your questions and other information you need for the interview and carry an extra copy of your resume, your work history, reference sheet, etc. It should also include pens and blank paper in case you want to write something down.
As you get closer to interview time, you will want to check your personal appearance. Some of the haircuts and hair dos worn today may not be appropriate for a working professional. If you have body parts pierced or tattoos, you should consider whether it is appropriate to have those visible during an interview. You should also typically limit yourself to no more than one pair of earrings.
The idea is that you should present yourself to potential employers as a capable, competent professional - as if you were already working in your desired field. Some smaller companies have a more relaxed work environment than many large corporations, but you are generally better off to go conservative. It is usually better to be a little overdressed than to appear too casual in an interview. Of course, there are some exceptions - depending on the industry in which you will be interviewing, but for the most part, it is better to take a conservative approach.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice, providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her Web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
to contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Time To Apply To Colleges
ANNOUNCEMENT: High school Seniors who plan to enroll in college in the fall who have not already applied for college admission, now is the time to do so. Many colleges are already in a position of selecting those individuals who will receive major financial assistance for their college education, but for most programs, there are still opportunities to be considered for admission.
Although, in general, colleges will review applications and consider candidates for admission into the summer, some of the highly competitive programs may be closing their admissions very soon. So, this should signal the time to begin some action. Also, please be aware that in many cases admission is a two-tiered process. There is admission to a college or university, but there may be a second layer of admission - to get into a particular program. For example, Architecture, Engineering, individual music programs, some computer majors, and others, will require the applicant to meet another group of admissions criteria, beyond what is required to be admitted to the institution. If the student has not done so, now is the time to meet with a guidance counselor to talk about applying for college.
Although some colleges admit all first year students to a general program, many of them require students to declare a specific major at the time they apply for admission. That means that the student should have a pretty good idea of what they plan to study in college and in most cases, that means they need a career-related goal. It is not always an easy decision, but one that students are often required to make.
Many of the high school counselors have access to career-related assessments that may assist the student in identifying a career direction and can offer other resources to assist in the process. Ideally, the student will be able to identify a major that would provide a good foundation - at least in that first year - for a number of different career directions. Additional assistance is available, if needed.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, providing coaching and counseling or 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 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Although, in general, colleges will review applications and consider candidates for admission into the summer, some of the highly competitive programs may be closing their admissions very soon. So, this should signal the time to begin some action. Also, please be aware that in many cases admission is a two-tiered process. There is admission to a college or university, but there may be a second layer of admission - to get into a particular program. For example, Architecture, Engineering, individual music programs, some computer majors, and others, will require the applicant to meet another group of admissions criteria, beyond what is required to be admitted to the institution. If the student has not done so, now is the time to meet with a guidance counselor to talk about applying for college.
Although some colleges admit all first year students to a general program, many of them require students to declare a specific major at the time they apply for admission. That means that the student should have a pretty good idea of what they plan to study in college and in most cases, that means they need a career-related goal. It is not always an easy decision, but one that students are often required to make.
Many of the high school counselors have access to career-related assessments that may assist the student in identifying a career direction and can offer other resources to assist in the process. Ideally, the student will be able to identify a major that would provide a good foundation - at least in that first year - for a number of different career directions. Additional assistance is available, if needed.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, providing coaching and counseling or 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 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Career Management in Today's World
Today's world requires a more proactive approach to your career decision-making and planning. The most effective people make decisions based on data and you need data to help you in making your career decisions. Begin with information about yourself - keep in mind the kinds of activities which interest you, the skills you enjoy using, your personal traits and strengths, and other factors that impact your satisfaction with your work and work setting.
You will also need data about the world of work so that you make your decisions based on reliable information and not just your hunch or guesses. Your particular circumstances will determine some of the kinds of information you need; but you will want to have knowledge of the kinds of activities involved in an occupation you are considering, as well as the education or training requirements preferred or required. You may also want to know about the kinds of companies that hire people to do that kind of work and whether or not the occupation is expected to grow, decline, or remain stable over the next several years. Most people also want to know where a particular occupation may lead - potential advancement or other opportunities or career directions.
After you have gathered your information about yourself and the world of work, you will look for areas of overlap and start there to make your decisions. After you have made a decision, you will need to develop your plan to achieve your career goals. With some planning and follow-through, your career goals will become realities.
Mary Ann Davis, 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.
You will also need data about the world of work so that you make your decisions based on reliable information and not just your hunch or guesses. Your particular circumstances will determine some of the kinds of information you need; but you will want to have knowledge of the kinds of activities involved in an occupation you are considering, as well as the education or training requirements preferred or required. You may also want to know about the kinds of companies that hire people to do that kind of work and whether or not the occupation is expected to grow, decline, or remain stable over the next several years. Most people also want to know where a particular occupation may lead - potential advancement or other opportunities or career directions.
After you have gathered your information about yourself and the world of work, you will look for areas of overlap and start there to make your decisions. After you have made a decision, you will need to develop your plan to achieve your career goals. With some planning and follow-through, your career goals will become realities.
Mary Ann Davis, 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.
Use Winter to Prepare for a Spring Job Search
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.
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.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Have You Often Thought of Owning Your Own Business?
Do you have an entrepreneurial dream? Many people think of being an entrepreneur but dismiss the thought for one reason or another. If owning a business has been your dream perhaps now is the time to seriously consider self-employment; in today's job market, it can be an attractive option. Career and job research indicates there are fewer jobs being created or available in major corporations and the majority of new jobs will be in medium or small companies, including privately owned small businesses.
But before you make a decision about owning a business, it is wise to do some reasearch - just as you should before making any career decision. Not only should you research the type of enterprise you are interested in and how you could enter and compete in that industry, you need to determine if you have the characteristics, traits, and skills needed to handle running a small business. You also need to look realistically at your financial situation. Most new ventures need time to begin to generate more income than expenses.
Many people decide to start their enterprise while they are employed, full or part time, which allows them some time to grow the business before they are dependent on the income from the business. Most new ventures need time before they realize true profits. Other people develop a business from a hobby and stay with it as a means of adding satisfaction to their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about running a small business you may want to look for classes or seminars that would give you information and suggestions about being an entrepreneur. There are other resources available throughout the community for those who are thinking of becoming a business owner; including the Small Business Development Center and the Service Corps Of Retired Executives.
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.
Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com. To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
But before you make a decision about owning a business, it is wise to do some reasearch - just as you should before making any career decision. Not only should you research the type of enterprise you are interested in and how you could enter and compete in that industry, you need to determine if you have the characteristics, traits, and skills needed to handle running a small business. You also need to look realistically at your financial situation. Most new ventures need time to begin to generate more income than expenses.
Many people decide to start their enterprise while they are employed, full or part time, which allows them some time to grow the business before they are dependent on the income from the business. Most new ventures need time before they realize true profits. Other people develop a business from a hobby and stay with it as a means of adding satisfaction to their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about running a small business you may want to look for classes or seminars that would give you information and suggestions about being an entrepreneur. There are other resources available throughout the community for those who are thinking of becoming a business owner; including the Small Business Development Center and the Service Corps Of Retired Executives.
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.
Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com. To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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