| As the economy continues to contract and expand, | | | | of education (technical and formal) acquired. A |
| many struggle to identify lucrative career opportunities. | | | | successful career change hinges on your ability to |
| But did you know the recession has made it possible | | | | understand which value added skills you possess. For |
| to identify your NEXT BEST CAREER? During a | | | | example, if you were a corporate trainer you probably |
| recession it is easier to identify industries, employers | | | | were highly organized, possess time management |
| and opportunities that are viable and "secure". If your | | | | skills, negotiated and maybe even synthesized large |
| fears are keeping you from making a career change | | | | volumes of information. Understanding the difference |
| in this Recession, here are 6 Steps to Ensure Your | | | | between job related skills and transferable skills could |
| Success: | | | | seem confusing or difficult.To help you accurately |
| | | | identify your skills and which career choice is the most |
| 1. Boost Your Confidence - Don't approach your future | | | | lucrative get the help of a career transition expert. |
| employer from the position of uncertainty. Your job is | | | | 5. Get Extra Education - While you're working, identify |
| to assure them you are capable and qualified to | | | | possible gaps in your education needed for your new |
| perform this new job despite your past job history. | | | | job. Take steps to fill these gaps by reading books on |
| How do you display tenacity? Learn how to market | | | | the subject or enrolling in a formal course of study. |
| your Strengths. | | | | Technology has enabled many to obtain a first rate |
| 2. Market Your Strengths - Prepare a written list of all | | | | education at the comfort of home and even on the |
| your past accomplishments that used the skills required | | | | go.Employers are concerned with educational |
| for this new career. Become comfortable weaving | | | | background but are more concerned with results. |
| these accomplishments into a story. Keep in mind this | | | | Reading increases your capacity to maintain a |
| is not a bedtime story. In your story emphasize the | | | | competitive edge. |
| tangible results of what you did so you are presented | | | | 6. Don't Talk Yourself Out of This - A funny thing |
| as the ideal person for the new job. | | | | happens when you decide to do something that takes |
| 3. Where are Your Strengths? - A Strength is | | | | you out of your comfort zone. The little gremlins show |
| combination of your talent + skills+ knowledge. Perform | | | | up and start telling you things like you're too old, too |
| a retrospective evaluation of your life. Using the job | | | | young, not enough experience, it's too expensive or it's |
| descriptions of your past and even present jobs, list all | | | | just not practical. Newton's First Law of Motion |
| the skills used in performing your various duties. These | | | | reminds us that we are either moving or at rest. If |
| skills should be value-added skills. Use a highlighter and | | | | you're not moving to where you know you should be, |
| mark the ones which are useful for your future job. | | | | desire to be or want to be then you are at rest. Take |
| 4. Understand Your Skills - Your experiences should | | | | bold steps today to make the life you were created to |
| not be neglected. Often we think of skills only in terms | | | | have. |