Do Dream Jobs Really Exist?
More than four out of ten thirtysomething professionals want to change careers, but feel trapped and don't believe that they will, a new study shows. More thirtysomethings than ever before are feeling disillusioned with their careers and openly acknowledge that they'd like to move into something more rewarding and fulfilling. They admit to a number of factors that prevent them from doing so ? a third of people said that a potential drop in salary going into a new career would stop them from changing, a quarter said that they lack the confidence to change and a further quarter admitted to having no clear direction. The research (conducted by website www.lifecoachforyou.com) polled over four hundred thirtysomethings in the UK and USA, and found that the time when people are most likely to look at changing careers is from the age of 30 to 32. The survey also found that a third of those polled don't value what they do for work, and six out of ten feel say that their work doesn't add positively to their health and wellbeing. "There are a worrying number of people feeling trapped by their jobs," says Steve Errey, a specialist in thirtysomething careers, "growing numbers are experiencing stress and in extreme cases making themselves ill as a result." The poll supports that view by finding that 3 out of 10 people are negatively affected by very high levels of stress in the workplace. That's a worrying number, and with workplace stress becoming more commonplace employers are having to take more responsibility for the wellbeing of their employees. "Those employers who take a realistic and holistic look at the lives of their employees will be able to retain the skills and talents they've got. Organisations that don't take this seriously are going to run into big problems." says Errey. But individuals have to take responsibility for their own careers to ensure they get what they want. "People think of their work as something that they have to do, something they have to put up with, or they tell themselves to 'stick it out and see what happens', but life really is too short to waste your time in a job that you know isn't working for you." Steve knows that cost himself, having gone through a 'quarter-life crisis' himself caused by stress from being in the wrong job. "I was so busy telling myself that I was alright doing what I was doing and that I couldn't do anything else, that I became ill as a result. Now I know that I can never squeeze myself into a job or a role that I know isn't who I am or what I'm about." says Steve. Julie was a thirtysomething director of her own successful company, "I went to see Steve because I found myself getting depressed about my career. I was so unhappy and frustrated, but felt like I'd made a rod for my own back and couldn't see a way to change things. "Getting an external perspective with Steve made me see that I did have choices and we came up with all kinds of ways to get on and make some changes. It took time and effort, and it was a huge challenge, but I've now got a great role in a company that I used to dream about working for. My life has turned round because I'm doing work that I love and my only regret is that I didn't move sooner." Errey says there are three broad steps in changing your work situation and having career fulfilment. "First of all it's vital that you take a personal inventory of everything that you've got. I'm talking about your experience, knowledge, skills, talents, passions, ambitions and resources, and acknowledging everything you've got to offer. If you don't know what you've got to offer how's anyone else supposed to find out? "Then it's a case of getting clarity around what you want career-wise, thinking about what lights you up in work and how you want to feel about your career. Ask questions about whether you want to move jobs or companies, or transform your current job. Think about what hours you want to work, if you want to work alone, in a team or from home. In answering questions like these you'll see patterns starting to take shape. It's those patterns that you can then start working with." Errey believes that people focus too much on job titles and try to match themselves to jobs based on the title alone. "Instead create your job from the inside out by thinking about the qualities, activities, guidelines, boundaries and feelings you want to have, and then you can match that picture to different areas of work. "Finally, like most things in life, it's about getting out there and making things happen. Speak to people, use your network of friends, family, colleagues and peers to see what opportunities are out there. 8 out of 10 people land their new job through a personal contact, not an advertisement, so this is the best way to learn about and pursue opportunities. You can also do things like apply speculatively to those companies you'd love to work with, research different fields of work or fill a skills gap with some training. "People can easily have three or four different careers in a lifetime these days, and it's important to remember that you're never truly stuck anywhere until you believe that you are." About the Author
Steve Errey specialises in personal growth for thirtysomethings, works with people on their careers, relationships and confidence and helps them get more fun, fulfilment and freedom. For more information please contact Steve on 0845 644 3001, by email at steve@steveerrey.com or visit his website at http://www.steveerrey.com.
Related News
JVS honoring business, employee - Mirror
JVS honoring business, employeeMirror, MI -Oct 5, 2008The JVS Inspiration Award will go to Farmington Hills resident David Landaw who used JVS' Career Development and Employment Services to successfully change ... |
The big letdown - The Gazette (Montreal)
The big letdownThe Gazette (Montreal), Canada -Oct 4, 2008About a year ago, the career coaches at Youth Employment Services Montreal began noticing an increase in the number of depressed and anxious job seekers ... |
Launch of Choice – MTA Tourism Career Awareness Programme - Malta Independent Online
Bye-bye to career employment for Baby Boomer men - Examiner.com
Economic Downturn Has Many Reconsidering Retirement Plans - RedOrbit
Manufacturers face lack of new workers - Green Bay Press Gazette
Manufacturers face lack of new workersGreen Bay Press Gazette, WI -7 hours agoWe manufacturers have to get people, and especially young people, to realize that careers in manufacturing are good for their future and that many of the ... |
Overt sex bias is losing ground - Buffalo News
Overt sex bias is losing groundBuffalo News, United States -6 hours agoChild care remains a big issue for women, with surveys showing women still feel that they are the primary caregivers and that this can hurt their careers. ... |
Workers bust employment stereotypes - NEWS.com.au
Workers bust employment stereotypesNEWS.com.au, Australia -17 hours agoWhile garbage truck drivers continue to earn more than childcare workers there's no financial incentive for men to switch to careers into female dominated ... |
Additional resources - Kansas.com
Additional resourcesKansas.com, KS -4 hours ago...Careers for Teens (http://www.quintcareers.com/teen-jobs.html): This site has job and career advice for teens, including part-time and summer employment. |
Irene Krechowiecka answers your employment questions - guardian.co.uk
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. After a large scale cut in personnel, this particular group of employees needed some extra support. Examining the issue of job security measures how your employees view their job security within your organization. In today's often volatile or contingent labor market, it's crucial to understand the level of security your employees feel about maintaining their jobs. Studies show that employees who do not feel secure in their jobs are less likely to be committed to best assisting customers. Evaluating this competency can be especially useful if your organization has suffered recent layoffs or firings.
How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.
Resume Objectives ... The Hidden Pitfalls
Why Use Resume Objectives
Sweeping Up Worms
With the opening of a new venture and numerous reporters arriving in an hour, it felt like one of those "chickens with heads off" days. We were close, but not ready. So like locusts to a wheat field, a swarm of people were devouring the last minute details. Then, it rained. With rain, came worms, hundreds washing onto the entrance sidewalk. When I returned to the area, I found a manager, several department supervisors and a director outside with brooms, sweeping up worms. No one asked them to sweep worms. But, with guests arriving shortly and no one else available, they found brooms and started sweeping.
Do Your Very Best in All Things -- Because Someone Is Looking....
Your job is to rise ABOVE the challenge. Do more than is expected. Say nothing negative about anyone or anything. Yes, that is easier said than done for most of us. Still, it is simply good advice for all. You never have to watch your backside when there are no boomerangs returning.
Master Responding to Selection Criteria and Win Your Next Job!
As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen it all when it comes to job applications. Most disheartening were those applications in which applicants had not addressed the specified selection criteria ... they went straight into the 'no' pile. In many cases, it was obvious from accompanying documents like the cover letter and resume, that the applicants were intelligent, experienced people who may have been good hires. However, as they hadn't addressed the selection criteria, they had disqualified themselves from further processing. In fact, an applicant has only to miss one selection criterion to be disqualified from a recruitment process.
Counteroffers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If "resignation" is the word that strikes fear into all employers, then "counteroffer" is the one that strikes fear into an employee's heart. "What should I do? They've matched my offer?"
Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!
That "B" word---B O R E D O M.
Cracking the Connection Code: Networking for the Introverted
We've all heard it before: "Just get out there and network!" If it was that easy, we would already be doing it. So why is it so hard? Well, you're an introvert, aren't you? Enough said.
When Your Job Goes Away: Seven Tips
Q. "What do I do after a job goes away?"
Create a Network and Catapult Your Job Search
Networking is still known as a great job-search strategy, yet it eludes some individuals simply because they don't know how to go about it. Individuals also tend to shy away from networking because it's time consuming. Unlike online résumé submission or folding a résumé, stuffing it in an envelope, and adhering a stamp, networking requires far more time and dedication. The results, however, can be quite different than those experienced from traditional résumé submission.
Diplomats and Spies
"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an American naval force had destroyed their base on Grand Terre Island in September, the Baratarians rejected British overtures to side with them. (6) {Other accounts make it clear the men were willing to go it alone or against the Americans and yet Lafitte convinced them to support the American cause. I see this as part of the French Masonic or Merovingian/Priory plan that included Napoleon. Lafitte and Joseph Napoleon later tried to break Napoleon out of St. Helena. I think Lafitte was their agent and played any role or side to support their cause first and foremost. They wanted the US to become a real force in the world. Their counterparts in England had declared French Masonry was without a soul. They had formally declared them to be any number of silly things. It continues to some extent to the present. I shall address this more as I proceed but suffice it to say that at some level we have an inner sanctum of people who are playing both sides for fools.} Instead they pleaded with American officials to accept their services. According to one observer, 'this transition from piracy to Patriotism' was due to the influence of Edward Livingston. The pirates had promised Livingston $20,000 if he could secure their acquittal on charges of violating the trade laws,?" (7)
3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed
Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage -- you don't know where to start ... and you just want it done.
Using Recruiters: How To Get A Step Ahead Of The Crowd
When there is an opening to fill, a company has four basic approaches at their disposal:
Power Resumes ? Writing Your Objectives
A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective. This is the headline of your advertisement promoting yourself. The headline has to be simple yet state with clarity that you are the perfect choice for the specific job or position.
Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction
Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end and a direction. For many people, the present direction of the career is probably not a result of entirely their own choices. If, for some reason, you are not happy with the direction of your career, there is a way out: Take charge of your career and change its direction.
Yes, Ive Had Gaps In My Employment History--What To Do About It?
Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment
History--What Can I Do About It?
Hot Business Trends for 2004? And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for You
I always look forward to the December issue of Entrepreneur magazine. That's the issue that features the publisher's annual pick of hot businesses, markets, and trends for smart entrepreneurs ? or those who aspire to be.
Some of the high tech businesses cited like mobile gaming or online learning tend to require six and seven figure start up costs. This can seem daunting (although not impossible) for the person just venturing into self-employment. So I've decided to focus on the markets, trends, and businesses that speak to someone operating on a somewhat more limited budget. Let's start with hot markets:
HOT MARKET: Middle-Aged Women
Since I've recently entered my last year in my 40s, I thought it only appropriate to start with this group (although like most boomers, I still have a hard time thinking of myself as anything close to "middle aged"). Not surprisingly, products and services for women in their 40s and 50s that center around anti-aging and menopause are hot. The magazine cites such promising areas as counseling, exercise spas, yoga, smoking cessation programs? any product or service that helps women stay healthy and feel good about themselves ? both inside and out.
The reference to smoking cessation got me thinking? Residential treatment facilities for other forms of substance abuse are common- place, but I've personally never seen a retreat, spa, or other residential-type place specifically aimed at people who need help quitting smoking, and who would benefit from doing so outside their home environment. I'm picturing morning walks, meditation, massage, support groups, good food, and of course, lots and lots of punching bags!
HOT MARKET: Toddlers/Tweens/Teens
According to market research firm Packaged Facts, last year 5 to 14 year olds spent $10 billion on food and beverages. Other favorite product areas for kids are sports, fashion, music, and technology.
And apparently home décor and remodeling isn't just for adults anymore (who knew?). Stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn are starting to selling home furnishing products aimed at teens.
With baby boomers having more discretionary income with which to spoil their grandchildren, babies and toddlers have also become hot markets. Online start-up ELittle Luxuries offers designer baby furniture and more than 600 other upscale baby items. (http://www.eLittleLuxuries.com)
HOT MARKET: Overweight People
After reading how much kids spend on food and beverages, it's no surprise that 15% of children and teens are overweight. But we adults have them beat. A whopping 64% of Americans are considered obese or overweight. Businesses that offer products and services to help people slim down and develop more healthy habits are the most obvious. But entrepreneurs willing to think outside the "solve the problem" box by looking for ways to make overweight people's lives easier verses trying to fix them, will also do well.
HOT MARKET: Metrosexuals
With the enormous appeal of stylish soccer super star David Beckham and shows like Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy where gay men help straight men with fashion, grooming, home décor, and social skills, a growing number of heterosexual men are allowing themselves to tap into their fashionable side.
One enterprising guy who jumped into the metrosexual market early has seen phenomenal growth. With $20,000 and a dream, Tom Granese launched Regiments, an online store that sells high-end grooming products for men. Less than two years later, Tom opened his first storefront in Dallas with a projected $210,000 in first year in-store sales.
HOT MARKET: Hispanics
The Hispanic market is certainly nothing new ? in fact it's made Entrepreneur's list for many years now. The magazine cites opportunities in anything from food and entertainment, to financial services and Web services.
Now let's look at two of Entrepreneur's picks for hot trends in 2004?
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled former Taco Bell restaurant.
Idea: Back in my old softball days I always wished someone would cater to all those hungry players and fans by starting a high quality food wagon.
Other Hot Trends? Boating and water sports, the hunger for low- carb foods (a trend being taken seriously by restaurants, grocery stores, and food manufacturers), oils and sauces, and multiculturalism which includes the gay and lesbian markets.
Hot markets and hot trends lead to hot businesses. Here are some of Entrepreneur's picks?
HOT BUSINESS: Children's Enrichment Programs
With so many parents in the workforce, more kids than ever before are engaged in extracurricular and after school activities. If you like the idea of working with kids, you can opt to open a physical location like a gym, dance or art studio, or camp, take your program into the schools, or provide private lessons.
If you think opening your own place is financially out of reach, think again. While $12,000 is no small sum of money, it's a lot less than a lot of people might expect they'd need to shell out to start their own dance studio. But that's how much former dance student turned instructor Archer Alstaettter dug up in cash and credit cards to found Dance Emotion in Irvine, California. That was five years ago. Today Archer's studio has 500 clients and expects 600-plus to be enrolled by spring. You go Archer!
HOT BUSINESS: Home Improvement
Remodeling, refurbishing, and redecorating are all the rage. There are some 30 cable shows on home improvement alone. And home improvement isn't all about décor. Worth noting are businesses that help home owners maximize the space they have as well as those making homes more accessible to an aging population. (To read about a unique, highly successful, and legitimate home business opportunity that matches home owners with reputable home repair contractors go to http://www.ChangingCourse.com/hrnsuccess.htm)
HOT BUSINESS: Yoga & Pilates
According to Entrepreneur, companies are bending over backwards to cater to the growing market of people practicing yoga. Clothes, mats, DVDs, music, and classes aimed at seniors, pregnant women and children as young as three are just a few products and services aimed at this growing market.
And with a reported 47 million Americans taking Pilates, a work out that builds abdominal muscles, opportunities abound for gym owners and instructors alike. If you like the idea of teaching Pilates, studio owner Maria Leone recommends starting out by keeping overhead low. She suggests renting space for one-on-one sessions from a small gym or chiropractic office. Fees for a typical Pilates session range from $50 to $70 an hour. Meditate on that!
HOT BUSINESS: Upscale Pet Services
According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, Americans spent an estimated $31 billion on pets in 2003. A few of the luxury services cited include pet hotels complete with heated floors, limousine rides, day cruises, and personal shoppers. And apparently the spa trend has extended to the pet world with exfoliating treatments, aromatherapy, liposuction (I kid you not), and chiropractic services.
HOT BUSINESS: Outsourcing
Outsourcing is one of those good new-bad news things. If your job is being eliminated because it's cheaper for your company to outsource functions like HR, accounting, and network security, then outsourcing is a bad thing. Outsourcing is particularly hot in IT ? and when it comes to outsourcing jobs overseas, it's also controversial. The good news for freelancers is the federal government plans to open 850,000 jobs to outsourcing, with $85 billion in federal IT contracts to be awarded over the next three years
Other Hot Businesses: Spas, organic foods, online matchmaking, senior care, wireless, tech security, and voiceover IP (VoIP).
If you believe as I do that it's better to be the boss, than to have one, why not make 2004 the year you start putting your entrepreneurial plans into action? You don't have to quit your job or mortgage your home to get the ball rolling. You might resolve to do some research, start putting together a business plan, take a course on marketing, glass blowing, woodworking, web design, or whatever sparks your fancy, get certified to teach yoga, buy a book on how to launch a successful on-line business, start a Barbara Sher style Success Team? or just order a subscription to Entrepreneur.
If you don't already subscribe to Entrepreneur you can do so at http://www.Entrepreneur.com. The site also features a ton of free resources for anyone who already is ? or dreams of ? working for themselves. For other free resources for people who want to start their own businesses visit http://www.ChangingCourse.com/newbiz.htm
Okay, but what if you don't see a trend, market, or business here that speaks to you? Then find the one that does! I had a client who is crazy for horses and photography. It took me all of 30 seconds on Google.com to find a group called the Equine Photographers Network.
In addition to their conference this February in Florida, the group offers a free public online discussion group with over 700 members who range from top-of-their-field working pros to amateur photographers to magazine editors and writers to horse owners, all interested in improving their equine photography skill and knowledge. Learn all about the Equine Photographers Network at http://www.EquinePhotographers.net.
The way to find the "hottest" business idea for you is to get in touch with the passion that burns the brightest in your heart. Then make 2004 the year resolve to you take those first bold steps on behalf of your dream!
CV Writing ? How to Write a CV
A winning CV has 2 objectives:
To illustrate your strengths and maximise your chances of getting through to interview and to put factual information, such as dates, places, names together in a presentable and readable form.
Focal Point
It is claimed that the human eyes are naturally drawn to a focal point one third down from the top of the page. Therefore, put your most useful information in this area. It might be your Profile, Key Skills, Professional Qualifications or details of your most recent employment. You can choose whichever you think is most important and relevant to your application.
Always get a second opinion when you have put your CV together. It is difficult to be objective about oneself.
Presentation
It is often thought that a CV should be fitted on to one side of A4. This can be difficult if you are a mature applicant with a long employment history. If you need to go on to a second page make sure that the CV is spread out over 2 whole pages, not one and a half pages as this looks messy.
As a 'rule of thumb' there should be more white than black on a page to make it easier to read.
Always write a rough draft first. It can be as long as you like as you will edit it later. Always start with your Career History as this will highlight your Key Skills and help you write your Profile.
Once you have compiled your draft copy you must edit it.
1. Take out anything that will not help you get where you want to be.
2. Write in the 'third' person as much as possible keeping 'I' to a minimum
3. Never use the past tense e.g. use "supporting senior management" rather than "supported senior management".
4. Use short sharp sentences cutting out any waffle and jargon.
Headings
Name
Print your name in bold type at the centre top of your CV. If there is any doubt as to which is your surname, e.g. James Martin, indicate by using capitals or underlining.
Address
Top left of CV. Full address including post code.
Telephone
Top Right of CV. Full dialing code and daytime and evening numbers if possible.
Date of birth
Put in full such as 13th December 1962. Do not put your age. Bearing in mind that you will be close to the Focal Point now, this might need to go at the end of the CV under 'Personal' along with other details such as marital status and children.
Marital status
You do not have to include this at all. If you choose to, make sure you use only "married" or "single". Do not use divorced or co-habiting. Put at the end of the CV under 'Personal'.
Children
Its up to you whether you include this information or not but if you include it put it at the end of the CV under 'Personal'
Profile
This is an introductory statement about who you are and what you have to offer. You should complete this last although it is positioned prominently in the CV, possibly in the Focal Point. It should be no more than two sentences and include the most important facts about yourself. You can include skills, achievements, responsibility or personal qualities.
e.g. Highly motivated Account Manager with successful direct and telesales experience in hardware and software industries.
Key Skills
Several Key skills should be highlighted after you have analysed and edited your employment history.
Pick out no more than six.
Make sure they are relevant.
Do not include dates. A key skill can come from an earlier job or an outside interest.
If you are short on direct experience and qualifications you may have skills arising from your personality, i.e. Interpersonal skills, e.g. "the ability to relate and communicate with others".
Some examples of descriptive words to use in key skills are:
Administering
Implementing
Budgeting
Leading
Reorganising
Forecasting
Advising
Employment History
Always start with your most recent employment. Break down your job functions as much as possible. The job description on your contract might provide a starting point or, consider how your employer might advertise your job. You should have more to say about your most recent, and therefore most relevant, employment.
Include successes and achievements especially if it saved the company money.
Don't have any employment gaps. If these occur explain them briefly.
Qualifications
If you are a mature applicant you can leave these out as career history is more important.
Put the highest qualification first with year achieved. If you have a degree you can leave out the lower qualifications altogether or include the basic information.
Do not include poor grades or failures.
Professional qualifications
Only include those that are still current.
Training
Only include training that is relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Interests
Only include interests that are unusual or which indicate transferable skills, achievements or responsibilities.
Reasons For Applying
This finishes the CV off with a concluding statement and puts the application into context. Don't imply you are out to gain advantage to yourself such as "I would like to join the company to gain additional experience".
Instead, concentrate on what you have to offer, "my experience at??would be useful to the company because????."
Finally
Your CV should be available soft copy or on good quality plain white A4 paper.
Do not use double sides.
Only fold once and enclose an SAE
Copyright 2005 CVwriting.net
Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer
So you've figured out, more or less what you want to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an interview. Here are five steps for interview success for students and graduates:
|
