Tips For Finding The Right Career
Do you want to learn how to find a new career? If you go to work with a pit in your stomach and leave with a migraine, odds are the answer is a resounding YES. So, if 6 Ways To Be Happy Without Meds at your present job or in your current line of work, it may be time to find something more suited to your skill set. First, we’ll begin with a quick rundown of the obvious …
Treat Your Search Like A Job
Whether you have a job or you’re holding down the couch, your job search must be a huge part of your new daily routine. And don’t limit yourself to common online announcements. Think about the companies you’ll like to work in and then write them down. One by one, go through and see if you know anyone there via LinkedIn. Also, follow the company on social media to keep up with what they’re doing. Know their business and their product. Keep tabs on the applications you submitted with a Google Doc. or an organizing tool like Jibber Jobber or StartWire.
Talk To Everyone
You’d be surprised how often successful entrepreneurs or businesspeople will answer a cold email when you ask for their time. Suggest coffee or going to their office for a meetup and make sure you get across that all you’re looking for is advice from people who have become successful. You’ll play to their ego and, hopefully, get yourself an intro. From there, study up and come armed with a plan and plenty of questions.
Network The Hell Out Of Everyone
This includes hitting up friends, family, old college buddies, and anyone with a goddam email address that has a connection to the industry you want to work in. Don’t be ashamed — the worst they can say is “No way, asshole.” The upside? Someone knows someone who knows someone. Plus, it’s a good excuse to hit up old friends. Just be sure not to come across as a greedy or selfish prick who only reaches out when he’s in need. It’s a tough line to toe, so be cognizant of it. If you need tips or advice on becoming a better networker, use these.
Update Your Social Media Pics and Info
We hope us advising you to remove (or at least make private) all photos or vids of you getting shitfaced with your buddies makes you roll your eyes. Even so, update your profile pics so you’re looking presentable and hirable. Once you get the job you can go back to doing whatever you want, but if you apply for a gig and they’re considering you, chances are someone is going to Google you. When they do, show ’em your best side.
Prepare for the Hiring Process
Aside from rewriting your cover letters, you should also practice for future job interviews. Do your research about the company and position you’re applying for so you have some idea of what to expect. Write potential questions, and practice answering these questions out loud to gain more confidence.
When you pass the interview, you will undergo the final steps of the hiring process, which are to get medically examined and to pass a preemployment drug test. Employers will take these checks seriously to ensure public safety in the office. Hence, make sure that you are clean before applying before any job.
Rewrite Every Single Cover Letter
If you’re applying for a job don’t just mass email the same cover letter. Make it specific to the business or company you’re trying to join. They don’t want you to be general and talk about what a go-getter you are — they have 100 other go-getters waiting to get a foot in the door. Allow your personality to come through while you’re explaining why the hell you’re the man for the job. After all, you are the man for the job, right?
If you’re still confused about what you’d like to do or how to go about finding a new career, here are seven tools that can help your search:
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ($50)
This is perhaps the most famous personality assessment tool that’s been used for almost eight decades. It’s based on Carl Jung’s personality typology and determines person’s character features regarding four key factors: attention/focus, information reception, decision-making, and your relationship with the world. It’s can be an extremely beneficial tool when you’re looking to swap careers.
SkillScan ($15 and up)
It’s handy for interview preparation and writing skill-based resumes. Their Career Driver Online may also help you set achievable career goals to keep progress moving forward. For all mobile freaks, SkillScan Express is available – a mobile version that will take only 15 minutes to figure out your advantages and preferences.
Keirsey.com
This “temperament sorter” is used by corporations, such as Coca-Cola, IBM or U. S. Air Force. Established by Dr. David Keirsey in 1978, the test is based on ancient Greeks’ studies of temperament, and includes 16 personality types. And while MBTI focuses mainly on your feelings and thoughts, Keirsey‘s test will help you learn your behavior models and inherent reactions.
My Next Move
Developed by O’Net Resource Center and sponsored by U. S. Department of Labor, this interactive tool was primarily designed for high-school students to help figure out a career path. For job seekers, it can provide useful insight into more than 900 different careers, with information about salaries, skills used and tasks, apprenticeships and training.
Pymetrics
Based on neuroscience and information technology, this tool creates a personal working profile and forwards it to companies seeking this type of employee. All you have to do is to play a couple of games (not Tetris or Candy Crush, unfortunately) for a half an hour.
Reddit /r/career guidance
With 16 million of unique users monthly, Reddit has about a billion subreddits, including ones about general and specific job and career advice, open positions, internships, and interview and resume tips.
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