If you are in a career change and are looking for help, you can use these quick tips to turn your career from a state of uncertainty to a sure winner, packaging your skills that you have used for some time, if those skills are still in use (i.e. you are changing careers) or if you have never used the skill in your career. You will gain instant credibility as someone with a fresh new skill set, and what if – through your enthusiasm and enthusiasm for the new line of work – a few employers will see the potential in you. If you are actually going to use the skill, you can then apply for a job at the skill set, giving you the experience and how-to in this new line of work. Advertising is verb compliance.
You may have a gap year to travel around the world or just want to experience a different culture, or your skills are being utilised in a new area of work, you can contribute to your community in many ways by organising an event, professional or trade, whether it is a career centric event or a personal event. Something as simple as sponsoring a different kind of event, or making a specific amount of donations or selling a specific range of home-made chocolates as a local/regional expert could be the case where you bring your talents to bear.
You may have an idea of what you want to do with your qualifications, you may have previously created an imaginary role role/brand session that gives you direction but when you start to apply for jobs and apply for jobs they come at you with an attitude of, ‘….whoever has the skills, let’s find our way to a life opposite our imagination.’ That is the problem of many who create a desired ‘after-life,’ container for themselves in which they are told that there is no other place like the one they are in right now and there is only one opportunity for them to succeed. But that really is the problem isn’t it?
Once you have decided your new direction and your new role, you need to view it like an opportunity and take control of it. The biggest barrier to your success may be fear of the unknown, whatever that ‘fear’ may be, however, you are focusing on a “poker88” for you and the opportunities that life presents. If you stop to think about the quality of your job or work experience and the skills you have acquired over the years that you probably are still using at your much more young age, and that you need to learn new things, you begin to see that your eggs are a little boiled at this life-changing opportunity. This challenge to actually be able to change your way of life begins in your own mind.
Once you begin to concentrate on the real work opportunities available and your skills, you can begin to define your niche position as a professional, are you a researcher, a resource, a specialist, a trainer, a coach, a designer, a photographer, a writer or a specialist? The combination of these skills and experiences will give you a different type of ability to work, so look at this as a huge opportunity.
Another important part of your personal branding is to ‘make a difference’ and to think of creative ways of making what you do important to others. This can only be done if you employ your skills and experiences without thinking about people, only the result. Don’t stop there, we all have a part to play and although it may be beyond your control, you can ‘make a difference’ to what and what you do is your business.
If you are a compressor, ‘make a difference’ through your materials and content being ‘packaged’ into useful information. If you are a website designer, ‘make a difference’ by helping people to get better results in their online experience (which is ultimately what your business is about). If you work within a job role then ‘make a difference’ by offering motivated, energised, creative, results-orientated and creative ways of achieving results. If you have been an entrepreneur or manager, ‘make a difference’ through sharing your model, ideals and ways of working with others in a productive way to help them make a difference such as through active learning environments (or face to face speed networking) and beyond.
Of course, it all begins with attitude. It may take a while (perhaps a lifetime) to change your mind around the importance of problem solving, clear thinking, good decision making and the value you give to your clients/customers both internally and external, and the enormous value you give to the companies/customers that you work with.
