Three Ways to Transition to a New CareerWritten by Steve Hall, Certified Personnel Consultant
Three Ways to Transition to a New Career As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than others. Some professionals already possess a foundation of skills to make transition easier. I’ll give an example. An unemployed network engineer and hobby electrician decides to become an electrical contractor for new construction. His transition might be easier because he needs minimal training to enter new field. But others require training, or additional schooling, which can sometimes be costly. Strategy for Changing Careers It’s best to take a strategic approach when changing careers. The first step is identifying a career of interest to you. Then, visit jobsites like Careerbuilder.com,Monster.com, and Hotjobs.com and search for job postings by keywords or titles relating to your newly desired career field. Next, read through job postings identified, analyze them, and try to determine knowledge, skills, and abilities employers are searching for in this field. Once you’ve researched your chosen career, deepen your knowledge through class work or mentoring with a friend whom you respect and whose experience might relate to that field. In order to advance in your field of choice, an undergraduate or advanced degree may be necessary. Speak to a Recrutier Another way to make an effective career change is to contact someone like myself – a recruiter or “headhunter” who specializes in your desired field. The purpose of your call is to gather information about your chosen profession. For example, at Find Great People International, we have recruiters specializing in manufacturing, information technology, health care, apparel, finance and accounting, and professional temporary staffing. It may be helpful to jot down a list of questions before your call. When I speak to someone about changing careers, individual usually acknowledges they do not possess skills or experience to do job yet -- but they are eager to break in. I evaluate their skills, based on a series of questions. Sometimes they’ll have a foundation for new career and that’s a starting point. Education: a Positvie Step Schooling or training is a wise first step for many who shift careers, provided they have money to pay for it. There are times when I recommend a national training center with locations throughout U.S. Or, since I specialize in IT field, I’ll suggest a technical training institute, or a technical college that offers supplemental training. Some certifications and trainings in computer field can range between $8,000-10,000. This may seem steep, but truth is most places of employment will not hire you without some sort of training. Step Into Your Field in a Better Job Market There is a third, bolder angle, which works better in a more robust job market. Simply investigate companies in your field of interest, contact them directly, and ask them if they are hiring entry level. If you are lucky enough to speak to a hiring authority, or someone in a position to be helpful, use time to sell yourself on transferable characteristics you possess as an employee.
| | Reflections on the Season: Good Will to MenWritten by Anne Dibala, M.D., The Recovery Coach™
Such are words that are sung, read, and printed repeatedly throughout this holiday season. So what do we mean by this expression? “Good” means that which is positive, wholesome, health-inducing, salubrious. “Will” means something desired . “Good will” is considered to mean good wishes or intentions. “Toward men” in this day and age, is construed as meaning “toward human beings, female and male alike.” In this holiday season what do you mean when you utter this phrase? To which people do you wish to expresses wishes of well-being, joy, hope, success and prosperity? How far does your generosity of spirit extend? Just a thought to consider as we enter a season which as has its underpinnings based upon a teacher who espoused love, forgiveness, and peace even in this world populated by human beings with frail human natures and human emotions, unchanged in our basic natures as 2000 years ago.
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