By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt
A large pile of laundry can be such a daunting task that we put it off as long as we can before we run low on under garments. However, instead of buying more skivvies every week, wouldn’t it make more sense (and be cheaper) to just sort the piles and do our laundry?
This daunting feeling is similar to what we experience when we consider a career change, pursue a promotion, or when looking for employment. The questions loom, consume and balloon into such beasts of burden that we keep putting it off until our vitality is sapped and we are truly out of underwear.
Where to begin?
Why do you want a change in the first place? Do you have a similar complaint about every position you’ve had or is there validity in your inquiry for change? Are you not doing what you WANT to be doing?
The secret to doing your laundry is well known but not as an exercise in distinctions. That big loathsome pile is not so foreboding once you’ve separated the piles into lights, darks and colors, is it? Then sit down with pen and paper and start asking yourself a few questions about why you’re looking for change.
First, distinguish if you are looking for a career change, promotion, or being employed. The first step in simplifying what you want is to distinguish the change you seek.
Next, list out everything you dislike about your current career, position or status of employment. For example if you are a mid-level manager at a retail store, write out what you don’t like about your job. It could be what you don’t like about your position as manager, or the people you work with or for; your list could include the areas you feel challenged by or not trained in doing. Write down every complaint, issue and dissatisfaction you have about your current and past positions and/or career.
Coaching Tip: Don’t get hooked into the drama of what you are writing. Keep your answers to one sentence each and list out the fact of the matter, not the gossip of the chatter.
Next, list out everything you really like about your current career, position or status of employment. For example list out what inspires you about what you do. What is it about your position or career that has you stay or continue? What makes you smile or brag about your position? (either to others or to just your mom).
Enjoying this article? You could get the best career advice daily by subscribing to us via e-mail. Coaching Tip: Really look at the positives and list them out. It’s okay if there are more complaints than positives, or more positives than complaints. This exercise is not a test or measurement, it’s a sorting of the piles. Again, keep them to one sentence answers and stick with the facts.
Next write out what concerns you the most about pursuing a change. What are you afraid will happen if you start looking, seeking or pursuing? What do you fear won’t happen? What will you make it mean if what you set out to do doesn’t come to fruition? What will you make it mean if it does?
Coaching Tip: Be honest with yourself when answering any of these questions, sometimes when you think someone might be judging your answers, you’ll document something different from the truth. Again, keep your answers short and to the point.
Once these lists are complete, summarize the common themes that have become clearer after listing all these things out. Guaranteed you will see a theme and pattern about your complaints, what you enjoy about what you’re doing and what concerns you about taking the plunge into change.
Bonus Tip: The complaint list is very important because of the insight it offers. If you have a common complaint that shows up in many to most of your jobs or responsibilities, consider that this complaint is yours to own. Meaning, you are the common denominator to any dissatisfaction you experience in the workplace – you played a hand in how your career has turned out thus far. What if you took a look at the source of your complaint, made a difference with how you cause the complaint and reinvent your outlook on the issue? You would be a source to your happiness and I bet you’d have a new outlook on your position, career and more importantly, yourself.
Your next step is NOT TO STOP being in inquiry about your desired change. Your next step is to ask yourself, if money was no object, what would you be doing? Using the themes you’ve discovered from your lists, this question will be fun to answer and also an interesting discovery into what’s possible for your future career, promotion or new position of employment.
Finding you have roadblocks to your success in making changes in your life? Or, did you do this exercise and find yourself excited about what’s possible for you but would like more guidance? Contact Kris Parfitt at www.careerleadershipcoaching.com and be the source of your success.
Kris Parfitt is a career strategist and leadership branding coach who is committed to finding your roadblocks and moving them out of the way so you can have the career success you want. Kris has over twenty years experience in leadership, counseling, and training positions all of which have provided an exceptional education which allows her to be a dynamic coach, one that focuses on inspiring you to acknowledge and express your extraordinary abilities and potential. Connect with Kris via LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt
A large pile of laundry can be such a daunting task that we put it off as long as we can before we run low on under garments. However, instead of buying more skivvies every week, wouldn’t it make more sense (and be cheaper) to just sort the piles and do our laundry?
This daunting feeling is similar to what we experience when we consider a career change, pursue a promotion, or when looking for employment. The questions loom, consume and balloon into such beasts of burden that we keep putting it off until our vitality is sapped and we are truly out of underwear.
Where to begin?
Why do you want a change in the first place? Do you have a similar complaint about every position you’ve had or is there validity in your inquiry for change? Are you not doing what you WANT to be doing?
The secret to doing your laundry is well known but not as an exercise in distinctions. That big loathsome pile is not so foreboding once you’ve separated the piles into lights, darks and colors, is it? Then sit down with pen and paper and start asking yourself a few questions about why you’re looking for change.
First, distinguish if you are looking for a career change, promotion, or being employed. The first step in simplifying what you want is to distinguish the change you seek.
Next, list out everything you dislike about your current career, position or status of employment. For example if you are a mid-level manager at a retail store, write out what you don’t like about your job. It could be what you don’t like about your position as manager, or the people you work with or for; your list could include the areas you feel challenged by or not trained in doing. Write down every complaint, issue and dissatisfaction you have about your current and past positions and/or career.
Coaching Tip: Don’t get hooked into the drama of what you are writing. Keep your answers to one sentence each and list out the fact of the matter, not the gossip of the chatter.
Next, list out everything you really like about your current career, position or status of employment. For example list out what inspires you about what you do. What is it about your position or career that has you stay or continue? What makes you smile or brag about your position? (either to others or to just your mom).
Enjoying this article? You could get the best career advice daily by subscribing to us via e-mail. Coaching Tip: Really look at the positives and list them out. It’s okay if there are more complaints than positives, or more positives than complaints. This exercise is not a test or measurement, it’s a sorting of the piles. Again, keep them to one sentence answers and stick with the facts.
Next write out what concerns you the most about pursuing a change. What are you afraid will happen if you start looking, seeking or pursuing? What do you fear won’t happen? What will you make it mean if what you set out to do doesn’t come to fruition? What will you make it mean if it does?
Coaching Tip: Be honest with yourself when answering any of these questions, sometimes when you think someone might be judging your answers, you’ll document something different from the truth. Again, keep your answers short and to the point.
Once these lists are complete, summarize the common themes that have become clearer after listing all these things out. Guaranteed you will see a theme and pattern about your complaints, what you enjoy about what you’re doing and what concerns you about taking the plunge into change.
Bonus Tip: The complaint list is very important because of the insight it offers. If you have a common complaint that shows up in many to most of your jobs or responsibilities, consider that this complaint is yours to own. Meaning, you are the common denominator to any dissatisfaction you experience in the workplace – you played a hand in how your career has turned out thus far. What if you took a look at the source of your complaint, made a difference with how you cause the complaint and reinvent your outlook on the issue? You would be a source to your happiness and I bet you’d have a new outlook on your position, career and more importantly, yourself.
Your next step is NOT TO STOP being in inquiry about your desired change. Your next step is to ask yourself, if money was no object, what would you be doing? Using the themes you’ve discovered from your lists, this question will be fun to answer and also an interesting discovery into what’s possible for your future career, promotion or new position of employment.
Finding you have roadblocks to your success in making changes in your life? Or, did you do this exercise and find yourself excited about what’s possible for you but would like more guidance? Contact Kris Parfitt at www.careerleadershipcoaching.com and be the source of your success.
Kris Parfitt is a career strategist and leadership branding coach who is committed to finding your roadblocks and moving them out of the way so you can have the career success you want. Kris has over twenty years experience in leadership, counseling, and training positions all of which have provided an exceptional education which allows her to be a dynamic coach, one that focuses on inspiring you to acknowledge and express your extraordinary abilities and potential. Connect with Kris via LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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