Why Some Jobs Are Like Leather Pants

Why Some Jobs Are Like Leather Pants Why Some Jobs Are Like Leather Pants Last week I linked to this innovative website belonging to a job seeker. I love the site Its irreverent, eye-catching and a far better testament to Miel Van Opstals creativity than anything he could write on his resume.A couple of commentors made a good point though and I wanted to spend a little time on it.Questing Elf saidNevertheless, Im also reminded of the words of one headhunter who told me that people like him may not be welcome at some places of employment that demand conformity. The recruiter told me she many times didnt recommend certain candidates even though the company claimed to want self-motivated independent thinkers. So while some companies would like his brand of creativity, others may prematurely brand him as a troublemaker.And Steven was more specific about the types of companies that might not like Miels approachThe site is definitely eye catching and memorable and I think an interesting ap proach for landing a position at a small firm. I just have a hard time believing someone in the HR department at a fortune 500 would respond to something like this.Both are exactly right. The website Miel set up is definitive proof that he wouldnt fit in at a lot of companies. But thats why its so great Your resume should not make you appealing to the maximum number of people. It should make you appealing to the right people.If Miel had a traditional resume and sent it off to hundreds of jobs, and wound up interviewing with a staid and corporate Fortune 500 company, hed be wasting his time. Hes not the type of person who will fit in at such a organization in fact I think the worst thing that could happen to him is to succeed in that interview and get the job.Likewise, a person who enjoys structure and set processes and a clear line of command wouldnt be happy at an innovative junges unternehmen where everyone is expected to pitch in and do a little bit of everything. Or a company w here creativity is valued over organization. Or a family owned business where getting approval for your ideas means catching the owner on one of his few good days.If you know what type of company you want to work for, you can tailor your resume, web portfolio and social media profiles to appeal to that type of company. Using language that will appeal to them has the added advantage of turning off other companies (saving you the time and energy on interviewing for a job you should never get, because it would undoubtedly make you miserable).Just like leather pants on a middle-aged man, some jobs dont fit. Knowing which ones are not for you will allow you to appeal to the ones that are.

Avoid These 5 Common Career Change Mistakes

Avoid These 5 Common Career Change Mistakes Avoid These 5 Common Career Change Mistakes Are you feeling stuck in your current career? Dreaming of making the move to more fulfilling work?I totally understand. Throughout my career, Ive made several career changes. Ive worked in retail management, HR and now resume writing. In fact, Im currently embarking on yet anotlageher career (albeit this time its a second career) as a professional artist.Each of these moves enriched my life and Im glad I made each one.But Ive also seen many people make career moves that didnt work out, and over the years, Ive observed some common errors that led to these mistakes. Im sharing them now to help you decide whether a career change would be the right move for you.Here are the top 5 mistakes Ive witnessed over the years.Career Change Mistake 1 Confusing Job Change with Career ChangeIts important to ask yourself whether its your job that you hate, or your career. Too often people mix the two up, and wind up changing careers when all they really needed to do was to change jobs.If youre not sure, ask yourself whether there is other work in your field that you would enjoy.Amanda was a client of mine who was frustrated in her absatzwirtschaft role and felt sales would be more suited to her outgoing personality. But upon further reflection, she realized that she didnt dislike marketing she just disliked it within the context of her current environment (a small company where she worked alone). Amanda took her expertise to a large agency, where she thrived on the daily interactions with clients and creative teamwork.So if youre very unhappy in your current work, ask yourself exactly what is making you unhappy. It may be that a job change is all you need.Career Change Mistake 2 Idealizing the Planned CareerDo you remember your first crush? Can you recall how wonderful you thought that person was? How perfect in every way? How just thinking about them would make you sigh with a kind of pain ful pleasure?Dreaming of a career change can be a bit like that the new career seems perfect. Especially when compared to what you do now. Adam was a client who made a career change from administrative work to a role within a music management company. He loved music and thought artist management would be glamorous and exciting. But he soon learned that the job involved very little glamour and lots and lots of hard work, much of it just as mundane as the admin work he had left behind.Adams story is a reminder to be realistic about your target career. Talking to people who work in the field is a good way to truly understand what day-to-day life will be like.Career Change Mistake 3 Not Planning FinanciallyLets be realistic. Making a career change usually means taking a pay cut. You do not have the qualifications and experience to command a high salary and it will probably take several years to get your salary back to its current level.This means that, when considering a career change, you must plan ahead financially. Find ways to reduce your overheads, save extra money in advance of the move, or consider taking a second job. Pre-planning in this way will make the change much less stressful.Career Change Mistake 4 Not Being Realistic About the Change ProcessOn a similar note, its important to be realistic about other aspects of this change.The process of looking for a job in your target field will probably be a long and challenging one. Many people give up after just a month or two, but the reality is that a career change job search can take a year or more. And when you do find a new job, its likely youll be starting at or near the bottom of your new profession, no matter how successful youve been in your current career. This drop in status can be hard to accept. Youll have a lot to learn and must be prepared for the hard work that goes with that.If none of this has put you off, you may have what it takes to make a changeCareer Change Mistake 5 Making a Career Ch ange For Someone ElseIts tough to make a career change, and virtually impossible if your hearts not in it. Therefore, it must be your decision. Never make a change because someone else thinks you should. Your parents/spouse/friends/family members dont have to live with the new career you do.On a related note, Ive seen people change careers because someone else they know is successful in their new field. Just because your best friend loves nursing and is good at it, that doesnt mean you will be. Choose something that suits your skills, your personality, and your experiences not someone elses.The Bottom LineMany people make successful career changes and find happiness in their new roles. If you ask yourself some tough questions and answer honestly, you can be one of them.And if nothing in this article has put you off making a career change, congratulations youre ready Be sure to check out our free email course which is called The Five Secrets of a Successful Career Change and good luck

Questions for Employees to Use During Self-Evaluation

Questions for Employees to Use During Self-EvaluationQuestions for Employees to Use During Self-EvaluationEmployee self-evaluations are recommended as part of your companys performance development planning process.These self-reported surveys areused to engage and involve employees in taking a close look at their performance. Employee self-evaluations contribute to the effectiveness of the exchange between the employee and their manager during the performance development planning or performance appraisal meeting. They help the employee thoughtfully participate in the discussion rather than sitting and taking it all in while the manager talks. Self-Evaluation as a Motivational Tool In doing the preparation before the meeting, employees can spend time thinking about what they want to achieve and accomplish in their careers. They can consider factors such as the next job for which theyd like to prepare. They can tell the manager about the kinds of help they will need to achieve their goals. Every employee needs to develop a career path that will allow them to create a fulfilling work life. The most engaged and motivated employees are ones who have a path that they can see themselves achievingand that makes them able to achieve their goals and dreams. Take a look at the examples below and then choose some or all of these sample questions for the evaluations your employees do regarding their performance and career plans in your organization. Self-Evaluation Questions Please thoughtfully respond to the following questions for your self-evaluation. Plan to share your responses with your manager. Questions About Job Components Take some time to review your job description. Identify any components of the job description that you no longer do or that now take additional time.Describe any new goals, responsibilities, or added challenges you have taken on since your most recent performance evaluation. Identify those that require additional decision making, respo nsibility, accountability, or oversight of the work of other employees.Identify what you like most about your current job.Determine the components of your job that you would like to change or eliminate. Why? Questions About Achievements Since you have been working for the company, you should have achieved some of your planned goals. Think about them when you answer the following questions What are your most significant accomplishments and contributions since your most recent performance evaluation?What accomplishment and achievements are you the proudest of since your brde performance evaluation?What goals do you wish you had accomplished since your last performance evaluation but did not?What would have helped you to accomplish these goals?In what other major projects and initiatives did you participate and contribute since your most recent performance evaluation?What work are you performing that is outside the scope of your current job description? What job-related goals would you like to accomplish during this evaluation period?How can your supervisor help you to accomplish these job-related goals?What additional support can this organization provide so that you are able to achieve these goals? Questions About Professional Development Our company values you, and we would like to know how you are feeling with the career path you see for yourself. Please think about how you feel in your current position when answering the following questions about your future What professional job or career growth goals do you hope to achieve within three years?What resources and support can this organization provide so that you can accomplish this professional job or career growth goals?What professional and personal goals will help you improve or develop your performance in your current job?What additional support can this organization provide so that you can accomplish these goals? When completed, please send copies of this self-evaluation to your supervisor and Hu man Resources prior to your performance evaluation meeting.