“The Indispensable first step to getting what you want out of life is this: Decide What You want.” -Ben Stein

Let’s say you reach a fork in the road and have to decide which way to go on your career journey. This is naturally a difficult place to be in, but you have to make a decision.

Values clarification becomes indispensable when you are at a point where you must choose between two or more career options, but you’re uncertain which option is best for you.

At such times, you must ask yourself this question:

What are my most important career values?

The rub is that when you choose one option, you often leave behind some values connected with your alternate option. The trick is to be certain that in the end, you choose the option that is most closely identified with your top values.

For example, I recently spoke with a graphic artist employed by a small publishing company. The key to his career success has been his mentor relationship with the soon to retire company president. He knew that he did not want to work with the incoming president. He was paralyzed, however, to choose between his two remaining options; Either move to a new company where he feels positive about the executive leadership. Or, start up his own business.

What to do? Make sure you clarify your career values in order to make your decision with confidence.

First, under each option list your top 3 to 5 values or benefits to you, of each. In this case:

Option One

Option Two

Here’s the challenging part, now rank your top five values drawing from both lists.After several go rounds and some major soul searching, this individual ranked his top five values:

You can see that the majority of his values including his top two values, are drawn from list one. Although choosing which projects he takes on is important, when push came to shove he ranked it lower than the opportunity to work with a new mentor and not having to do marketing and sales.

After taking a step back and carefully considering his competing values, this individual chose option one.

When facing this kind of difficult choice, the above described coaching process insures that you make the best decision for YOU. One that will make your career soar and brings you joy and pride.

To learn more about how Seth can help you and to download his free Special Report: “10 Ways to Jump Start Your Career by Leveraging Your Strengths,” visit his website: http://www.CreativeVisionCoaching.com or email him: Seth@CreativeVisionCoaching.com

(c) Copyright – Seth Kaufman. All rights reserved worldwide.

It’s a tough thing to search for a job. Whether you decide to resign from your present job, dismissed from office, or decided to shift to a new career, what will enter in your mind next is how to land a new job. It can be an emotional turmoil for many people to search for the job they like and change a career or undergo a career transition. With the quantity of offered jobs lowering and the number of applicants increasing, career transition can truly get on your nerves. So, here are a few tips to aid you through career transition with ease.
When you look for a new career or new job, it is like venturing into business because you are making an effort to sell yourself. If you are really not into the sales process then let me tell you that if you do it the wrong way, you’ll probably find yourself searching for a job in weeks or even months. Change by itself is difficult enough to handle. And so, for the simple reason that career transition is a change, career transition can be hard and tricky.
Focus! This should be the first thing you do. Then, don’t panic! This is not the time to panic. When looking for work, do not make impulsive decisions like taking the first offer given to you. In the first place, if you left your previous work because you do not feel happy doing it, then it won’t do you any good if you accept a similar work right away. During your free time, reflect on your career transition. Ask yourself “What career do you really want to pursue?”
In order to help you manage this big career transition, ask yourself these several questions: what is it that you do best; what is the thing you do that you are so proud of; your interest; what do other people commend you for; or what is it that you do that most people can’t? As you jot down your responses, write also the ideal jobs or careers that go well with those skills. This is the most vital portion of your entire career transition period. Choose the job that fits you best. Does that job include the thing that you love to do? Do you get a sense of satisfaction when you are working with it? If you say yes, then you’re moving closer and closer to your new career.
The next thing to do is to create your resume. The best format to use is the functional resume because you are applying for a career different than your previous one. The functional format can outline your skills prior to your work history. You should relate your abilities and your skills to the job you are applying for. Scan the job ads to learn about the education and skills required. Make an inquiry to your relatives or friends who are in the same line of work. Then, finish your resume. Now comes the time to look for available jobs. If you don’t get an interview or if after the interview you didn’t get a call don’t feel frustrated. Be positive and continue searching. Have patient and do your best to find that job. If you have the heart for that new career, then it will manifest during your interview.

With the rapidly changing shape of work and life, it is no longer news that the average person will have a minimum of three careers in their life time. Making the right move at the right time and for the right reasons will go a long way to bring fulfillment and satisfaction to you. Therefore, it is important that you engage in a carefully thought out analysis of the various options whenever you are trying to make a shift in your career focus. The following considerations should always guide you in your quest.

How prepared are you? Most people make decisions in order to be in tune with popular demand. Because the economy is in bad shape and particular professions have been badly hit, is not an excuse to decide you want a career shift. Having come this far in your career, any change you are planning to make should be deliberate and purposeful. You must be convinced that it is something you will be happy with in the long run. You must transcend the bandwagon effect and ask the question of whether you are set to make the change from your present career.

Take an inventory of your current skills. Having decided on the need to cross over, the next thing to immediately do is to take inventory of your current skills, knowledge and experience and then see the gap that exist between them and your desired career. Then, start listing the various skills, knowledge and experience you need to bridge the gap. Seek out and talk to people in your would-be career to guide you through the process.

Develop a parallel career before switching over. Career experts will never fail to advise aspiring career changers on the importance of building a parallel career before making the actual shift. You can do this by seeking out volunteer, temporary or internship positions in your new career field before quitting your current job and searching for a full-time position in your new career field. This step is crucial because it acquaints you with your new area and gives some assurance to your would-be employer that you will be trainable, since you already have the basics.

Consider your passion. If you are like most people, your first job after college must have been a child of necessity. You probably found yourself on that job, not because it was what you actually wanted but because you had limited choices when you were making the decision. It may have been possible that you had not clarified your career goals and determined what you actually want out of life when you made that first decision. Now that you have an idea of your passion and vision in life, do not decide on the next move without bringing them into the picture. When the chips are down and the going gets tough, it is your love for what you do that will sustain you.

Go for a functional rather than a chronological resume. When you are changing career, it pays to emphasize more on the skills, qualifications and certifications you have acquired, relevant to your new career, instead of detailing your previous work experience, which in most cases has little or no relevance to your desired career. As much as possible you will need to talk less about previous experience and blow up your other relevant assets.

You can talk to a career counselor or an HR expert to help you build a functional resume. It is your greatest tool in your career shift campaign.

Never decide on changing career for monetary reasons. I interviewed a friend who was contemplating a radical career change from the banking industry to the medical profession as a physical therapist. My first question to him was: what is your motivation for wanting to make this total switch? Certain careers are very enticing because of the material gains they offer, but be very careful of switching careers because of all the enticing benefits. Remember that you may make more money, but if you hate your new career, you will probably be spending that money on stress- and health-related expenses. A career that is hot today could be gone tomorrow, so dig deeper.

If your job is leaving you feeling bored, frustrated, uninspired, or burned out, you’re probably wondering what else is out there. Where can you find a career that makes you excited to get to work each day? Does your dream job really exist? It may seem overwhelming to try to find that perfect career, especially if you’re feeling stuck in your current one, but if you start small and do some hard thinking, you’ll find that a satisfying career is not so far out of reach.

1. Start positive. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, it may be hard to identify the elements you like about it. Most people, though, enjoy at least a few aspects of even the dreariest job. You may hate your boss but love your colleagues. Or maybe you believe in the cause you’re working for, despite the dismal pay. Make a list of the things you like about your current job—these are your first clues about what to look for in a new one.

2. Think big. Now’s the time to make a wish list. What characteristics would make a job perfect for you? Would it be flexible hours, a cooperative team, more responsibility? Maybe you’d like a chance to work in a creative or artistic setting, or the opportunity to show your leadership potential. Don’t worry about whether these things are realistic or whether there’s a job out there that fits the bill (not just yet!). Make a list of all the factors that you’re looking for in a dream career.

3. Brainstorm. Compile a list of every job, no matter how farfetched, that you’ve ever thought you might like or be good at. Don’t censor yourself; once you’ve got a good list going, you’ll start to see patterns. Look for common factors in the jobs you’ve listed. Maybe your fantasy careers are all active, fast-paced physical jobs (like firefighter, forest ranger, and FBI agent), or they might involve caring for and helping others (nurse, teacher, counselor).

4. Test yourself. There are dozens of career tests on the market designed to help you discover your ideal career. While these tests range in quality, from novelty tests on free sites to scientifically validated tests provided only by psychologists, there are many excellent resources online. Look for a website that provides well-researched career assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Strong Interest Inventory, which will provide you with comprehensive information on appropriate careers for your personality type and interests.

5. Do some research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a great resource for career searchers. Visit their website at bls.gov and click on the Occupational Outlook Handbook to view salary ranges, educational requirements, job descriptions, and growth projections for hundreds of careers.

6. Check with an expert. A career coach can help you further identify the elements of a career that will bring you lasting satisfaction. A knowledgeable coach can also suggest careers similar to ones you’ve come up with yourself, and help you decide which careers best fit your goals.

7. Start where you are. If it’s not practical for you to completely retrain for a new career right now, think again about what’s missing from your current job. Is there a different position within your current company that provides more of what you need? Could you keep your job title, but find a new company with a better work environment? You might even ask your boss about making changes in your regular responsibilities that would allow you to do more of what you enjoy. Changing careers is a major goal, and if you can start by taking gradual steps towards doing what you really want, you’ll find that your efforts pay off quickly in greater satisfaction with your work.

There are times when circumstances at your workplace prompt you to go in for a career change. Your frustration could arise from factors like working hours, the pay packet, your boss, sometimes even an annoying colleague. Now career transition is always your decision in the end, but sometimes you need to think things over and not jump the gun. Let us have look at some such situations.
A new supervisor makes many people rethink their career plans. The reason is not hard to find. A new boss often feels that they should quickly establish their authority over the human resources at their disposal. This makes them a bit difficult at the outset. Just hold off the urge to quit right away. Give it some time. You might be surprised to find your new boss displaying milder, even friendlier aspects of their personality as time goes by.
A common reason for going into a job search mode is the annoying co-worker. They may or may not be the person sitting at the next desk, but they have the habit of getting under your skin. It is unfortunate if the dislike of a colleague is strong enough to get you looking for recruitment services.
Under normal circumstances no one should make you quit your job, especially if someone else rather than yourself is in the wrong. Naturally if a fellow worker threatens your safety you need to take immediate action. But the first step should always be contacting higher ups and airing your grievances rather than running off to the recruitment agencies.
A poor appraisal of your efforts at work may cause you to want to quit your job. It might seem to you that you have been unfairly assessed. You might feel embarrassed and frustrated, even unwanted by the organization. The thing to remember here is that it can happen to the smartest and most hardworking of employees. You cannot be perfect all the time. It is important to take this setback to your career plans with a positive frame of mind. Let it be a wake up call to refocus on your workplace actions so that your efforts contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. Instead of resigning, the way forward should be to try for a better appraisal next time.
Being denied the promotion you believe you deserved can sometimes be hard to take, leading you to consider career development elsewhere. Quitting immediately is not the solution, though. A good number of factors come into play when the matter of promotion crops up. Try to figure out what went against you. Was there a more qualified colleague? Did a more experienced or senior employee get promoted instead of you?
You can also treat this as an opportunity to set goals for yourself, fine-tune your efforts at the workplace, and improve your skill set. If in spite of this you find yourself being repeatedly passed up for promotions that you deserve, then it’s time to seek recruitment advice and look for career advancement somewhere else.
In all the situations mentioned above, you might feel a strong impulse to quit your job immediately. Apart from extenuating circumstances, such as sexual harassment in your workplace or other dangerous situations, you would be better off thinking it over calmly and objectively before you make your decision.

Are you dismayed with the way your career is shaping up? More accurately, has it something to do with the lack of direction in your career management?
If that be the case, you are in need of a thorough overhaul of your career planning. You want to explore career job opportunities in areas totally different from what you are engaged in right now. While this is not impossible to achieve, one must remember that all career fields are not the same.
Often they require a completely different set of attributes and mind sets. For example, your expertise in legal security doesn’t necessarily qualify you to be a successful nurse or paramedic. This is something you need to remember before you opt for a radical career transition.
Now since all career fields are different, it is important that you do not suffer from any pre-conceived notions regarding your abilities. Feel-good assumptions having no basis in reality are the worst enemy of your career development goals.
Before seriously deciding on a career change, you need to step back a little, get a perspective on your career planning, and do some thorough research on the career fields that interest you. These may be anything from teaching, medicine, law, retail, to automobiles. The research should cover aspects like current and projected job prospects, average pay, requirements in terms of skill sets and so on. All the related career information that you may need can be obtained either online or at the local library.
Once you have zeroed in on a few career fields that you would be interested in, you may start searching for job openings. Don’t apply for those jobs just yet. Instead, it is advisable to examine these options with respect to the criteria mentioned above.
One of the primary concerns will be your earning prospects. You need to check if the salary and benefits offered in those positions are enough to carry out your financial obligations. Some circumstances like job satisfaction, additional benefits and prospects of career advancement may allow you to take a pay cut; but the onus of making the final decision rests with you.
Another such criterion in your quest for career development is the specific job requirements. You will want to examine some of the job openings in the light of required education, training, skills, aptitude, previous work experience, and the like. What is nice about this part of the research is that data in this regard is easy to come by.
You will find that most job listings, both in print and in online recruitment portals, usually outline all the requirements for the job. You will easily get a good idea as to whether or not you have got what it takes to qualify for your career dream find. If you find any divergence between your ambitions of career transition and the requirements of achieving them, you may want to invest in a few career training courses to help upgrade your expertise and experience.
Continuing with career training, you could access various kinds of courses, all designed to help you prepare for your career dream find. For example, if you want to become a successful accountant, you will have to learn how to keep books of accounts, prepare balance sheets and cash flow statements, maintain records of transactions; prepare tax returns, and so on. Needless to say, the period of training required will depend on the direction in which your career planning goals take you.
If you decide on attending career training courses to improve your chances of making a successful career transition, you will need to look for the career coaching option that will suit your requirements. Many career training courses are advertised in local newspapers. You could visit the local colleges and vocational centers to see what courses they offer.
You may also opt for online career training. These courses will cost you money, but it will invariably be worth it in the end. Hopefully the outcome of the whole exercise will be a foothold into a new career field and a stepping stone to career advancement and job satisfaction.

You need to consider various aspects of your past working experience to write a career change orientated resume. Rules are same for writing the resume for career change, irrespective of the fact focus is on your choice or due to redundancy.

Your resume for career change orientation should focus on the skills of the worker that he or she has acquired over their working experience and that could be useful for the new job. For example, If you were a plumber and is choosing your new profession as a tradesman then your skills would be beneficial in your new job.

Skills acquired and mastered by a plumber such as handling receipts, dealing with suppliers and keeping accounts would be beneficial for a tradesman in his or her retail industry. However this may not be that important in the labor intensive industry. Such skills play a vital role in the design of resume for your career change.

In this case the resume for career change of a plumber with his skills would demonstrate how well he or she would be able to handle the administrative tasks in trade. For the job of teaching, plumber’s skills such as previous training of apprentices, people skills, communication and career change format would prove to be beneficial.

If you are a worker who is looking for a profession in teaching then the most appropriate skill for you would be training apprentice. If you have the ability to pass on knowledge and share skills, then you are the perfect candidate for teaching job. Moreover, if you have some hands on experience or list of courses then it would be easy to impress prospective employers.

There are common skills required in every job. So, if you are writing a resume that is career change minded to migrate from outdoor lifestyle to any less physical career, even then you can figure out some common skills required for the job. For example, if you are a tour operator and had been doing all the jobs such as keeping accounts, books and receipts, has good communication skills, people skills, teamwork, independent work efficiency, being responsible, understanding safety, first aid training etc. then all these skills are required in retail or data entry jobs also. Although these may don’t have relevance at first glance but in a career change orientated resume it becomes very important.

Always look beyond the basic skills of your past trade or job while designing the career change format resume. You must figure out the relevant skills in both the jobs and analyze your expertise in those skills. Everyday work experience is the best proof of accomplishment for any job or skill. This would lead you to get the job of your dreams easily.