I Didn't Know That! Essential Advice For Finding Better Jobs And Changing Careers

By Terry Pile

Looking for a better job or new career but don’t know where to start? I didn’t know that! Essential advice for finding better jobs and changing careers will kick-start your motivation and provide direction to change your job status.

Finding satisfying employment has never been easy, but it has become increasingly difficult in the digital age where key word resumes and on-line applications are the norm. I didn’t know that is a collection of essays offering strategic advice and thoughtful planning for a successful job finding campaign.

Divided into five sections, Chapter I focuses on goal-setting and personal branding. Chapter II offers advice on how to maximize you job search tools with more effective resumes, cover letters and follow-up. Chapter III suggests alternate strategies to applying for jobs on-line, including social networking, using recruiters and attending job fairs. Not really sure you want a traditional 9 to 5 job? Chapter IV covers options such as part-time and self-employment and unconventional careers. The final chapter is a collection of articles that covers a range of subjects from telecommuting, to job retraining, to making the most of being a “trailing spouse.”

I didn’t know that! is filled with advice from veteran counselor, Terry Pile, hiring managers, human resource professionals and successful job seekers and career changers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Pile
• Release date: Oct 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989803823

Terry Pile

Career counseling is Terry’s third career. She has been a successful teacher, marketing executive and career coach. Now she uses her transferable skills to teach people how to market themselves to obtain satisfying employment through her books, articles and interviews. She is currently the author and publisher of career resources at BiblioPile Press. Terry started her private practice, Career Advisors, in 2000. She has extensive experience in government, corporate, non-profit and entrepreneurial settings. She has the breadth and depth of knowledge of career methodologies at many levels having worked with C-level executives to X-offenders. Terry has a master’s degree in education from Indiana University, a certificate in career development from the University of Washington and is certified by the Center for Credentialing and Education as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). In addition, Terry is the author of Changing Careers after 40, Playing the Job-finding Game: A Rule Book for Ex-offenders, Preparing for Retirement and numerous other books and articles on career issues.. Visit her website at www.BibliioPilePress.com.

Book preview

Introduction

Are you looking for your first job or a new job after several years? Clueless as to where to start? If you were lucky, you may have been the beneficiary of job- finding classes in high school or college. But if you are like most people, employment counseling eluded you and you're not sure where to begin.

Finding meaningful employment requires strategic thinking and careful planning. You won't find it if you devote all your time responding to job postings on the Internet. Some job search strategies are timeless, like having a resume, researching employers and networking with contacts. However, how you create a resume, conduct research and approach networking has changed dramatically with the explosion of technology. Having up-to-date knowledge of the job market and how it works will give you an advantage over most of your competition and keep you from wasting valuable time in the job-finding game.

I have been a career counselor for more than a decade and a writer since I was a child. Therefore, it seemed natural to me to assist people in their career pursuits through my writing. Over the years, I have published countless articles for newspapers, newsletters and blogs to help job seekers increase their chances for meaningful employment. As I looked back on those articles, I realized that much of the advice is still timely, valuable and should be shared with others. Thus this e-book was born.

When appropriate, I have updated each article to accommodate new and best practices in job search techniques. Most revisions are a result of changes in technology and the popularity of the Internet for job searches. I have also altered the names and companies of some of the individuals profiled as their job status may have changed since these articles were published.

Finding a job can be a lonely and discouraging process. But it doesn't have to be. With advice from a pro and valuable tips in your job-finding arsenal, you'll no longer be in the dark when it comes to negotiating the job market. Happy hunting!

CHAPTER I: GOAL SETTING

Career goals--keys to success?

Revised and updated in 2013 from original article by Terry Pile, published in the Mercer Island Reporter, January 2003

A research study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews of Dominican University showed that individuals who wrote down their goals and shared them with friends were, on average, 33 percent more successful in achieving them than those who simply formulated goals.

As a career coach, I feel an obligation to lecture my clients on the importance of setting career goals. I quote the aforementioned study and preach about empowerment and taking control of one's destiny. My mantra is, Don't fall into a job. Choose your career. Look at the story of Bill Clinton. He knew he wanted to be president when he was 16. He set his course of action and spent most of his adult life pursuing his dream. Whether this is an urban legend or not, it appears that writing down goals and letting others know about them creates a sense of direction and accountability.

The reality is, most of us lack the vision and determination of Bill Clinton. Many of us grow in to our 30s, 40s and 50s and still wonder what we will be when we grow up. How closely are career goals tied to success? I decided to ask a few prominent business and community leaders this question.

Howard Lincoln, CEO, Seattle Mariners:

The problem I have with career goals is that they often cause people to lose focus on what they are doing right now. My advice to employees is always the same. 'Work twice as hard as you're doing now and your career will take care of itself. Either your employer, a competitor or somebody right out of the blue always seems to spot and reward those who work hard.'

In addition to hard work, I always kept my eyes open for opportunities and was prepared to seize them when they came along. My partners thought I was crazy when I left the practice of law and took a risk with a then very small company called Nintendo. Risk taking is also a part of success.

Rich Roodman, CEO, Valley Medical Center:

My career has been serendipitous, but I have always had a goal in mind. I knew I wanted to live in a great community for raising a family and make enough money to give them all the advantages.

I decided to become a finance major when my college roommate got Disney stock for his birthday. It was by working in an Army Reserves hospital unit that I was exposed to healthcare and on the advice of a fraternity brother that I ended up in hospital administration. To be successful, I believe you need to surround yourself with good people. I also try to reinvent myself and my job every few years. I am always prepared to be at the top of my game.

Nancy Hardwick, principal, Hardwick Research:

I have never formally written down my career goals, but rather have always had a plan in my head. Thinking about what I want to do and having specific goals provides me the necessary direction to implement and succeed.

Major turning points in my life caused me to look seriously at my career goals, such as initially being unable to get a teaching job due to a tight market, then the birth of my son and later a divorce. I continually re-evaluate my goals. For example, when my son goes to college, certain priorities will no longer be relevant, creating new opportunities and possible life changes. As this milestone approaches, I'll reassess my goals.

Steve Gillis, leader in the biotech industry:

Opportunities seized along the way have led me to where I am, far more than a career plan. When I got my first paycheck as a scientist, the last thing I ever thought I would do was run a company involved in pharmaceutical research and development.

Throughout my career, I never referenced what I was doing against a list of career objectives. My opportunity with biotechnology was a result of being relatively successful as a scientific researcher and being in the right place at the right time. A little bit of naiveté (not knowing what I was getting into) and a healthy dose of good luck didn't hurt either.

Steve Stargardter, university president:

My first job was as an instructor at Boston College. I did target a teaching job after getting my doctorate, but never really established long-range career goals. I evaluated my career on a year-by-year basis. At this stage of my professional life, I believe my career will be devoted to college/university presidencies.

Judy Clibborn, Washington State senator:

I started out in nursing, which was very good for me because I was young and needed structure. I really don't plan very far ahead, even in politics. I enjoy being able to take the next door or challenge as it appears. Not being afraid to risk has done more for me than planning.

So now what do I tell my clients? Work hard. Seize opportunities. Take the advice of a buddy. Evaluate your life annually. Take risks. I still believe that goal setting provides us with direction, forces us to take action and guides us in our decision-making. Maybe career success is a combination of all of the above ... a and yes, a bit of luck doesn't hurt.

Resolve to have an action plan when writing resolutions

Revised and updated in 2013 from original article by Terry Pile, published in the Mercer Island Reporter, January 2006

Are resolutions a waste of time? Some people will tell you resolutions are made to be broken. This need not be the case. If January puts you in a resolving mood, following some simple criteria for goal setting will help you be successful.

Don't make too many. One-to-three short-term resolutions are about all most people can handle at one time. A short-term goal should be obtainable within a year or less. Once you reach a goal, replace it with another.

Be realistic. Goals that are unrealistic or too lofty encourage defeat. A goal should require some challenge or effort, but should also be attainable.

Be specific. An obvious example: if your goal is to lose weight this year, it is too general. A specific goal would be to lose 10 pounds by the end of the year.

Have a plan. A goal is not complete without a plan of action. How do you plan to lose those 10 pounds? It may be through exercise, eating smaller portions or cutting out snacks. Include your plan of action as part of your resolution.

Put your goals in writing. Studies show that written goals are more likely to be attained.

The following individuals have offered to share their professional New Year resolutions for the coming year.

Richard C., city manager

Every organization has its successes small and large. Many of the city's success stories are rarely told or rewarded, particularly when they are individual heroics. These little acts of heroism happen all the time in our community. There is the sewer line that gets unplugged just in time to avert a basement flood, the utility worker who discovers and fixes the water line leak before it causes damage, or the police officer who gives a friendly but stern warning to a kid right at the time he/she is facing some risky choices. For 2006, I resolve to sniff out these stories of municipal heroism and re-tell them to our co-workers, the City Council and the community.

Cyndy S., school district superintendent

One of my professional New Year's resolutions for 2006 is to hire a new Associate Superintendent for business services. Mike Z., who has done an outstanding job for our school district, is retiring after 14 years. I will achieve this by advertising statewide and involving key administrators, staff and community members in the interview process.

Lalo B., psychotherapist

My profession is not email-dependent, so I don't check my electronic mail as often as I should. My 2006 resolution is to check my email more frequently. I plan to do this by setting aside a specific time each day, either before or after client meetings, to go online and check messages.

Stuart S., attorney

My primary goal is to increase my productivity at the office by better managing my time and the time of those that work for me. At a small law firm like mine, I end up doing too many administrative tasks and get pulled away from doing what I do best, providing legal services to my clients. My goal is to better delegate administrative tasks and consider outsourcing certain jobs in an effort to become more productive.

Alan B., CPA

This year my partner and