Introduction
Many job seekers find themselves at a crossroads. They must decide whether to continue working in the same job or industry, or take on a new job in a completely new industry or field.
Until recently, a job was simply a way to earn a living. But today, personal satisfaction and finding a balance between career and personal life are paramount needs for employees or workers.
As employees, we no longer have to keep doing something we don’t like for the sole reason that we have always done it. The bottom line is that we can direct our careers and we are responsible for them.
If you choose to extend your career
The fastest way to get a new job is to develop and market your current well-honed skills and solid, well-rounded experiences. If you are happy in your career so far and want to continue on that path, your decision is clear—-the extension of your career.
Your job search will include the following four elements:
Skills development
These skills include the use of technology, networking, interviewing skills, research, salary negotiation, marketing yourself and writing correspondence.
Preparation of documents
These include resume, cover letters, reference lists, your public statement, business and 30 second networking scripts.
Use of the tools
These include self-assessment manuals or guides, personal computers, the Internet/Web (for locating job opportunities and posting resumes), research directories and research databases.
Use of job search strategies
You will want to use a variety of job search methods simultaneously while spending the majority of your time networking.
A career extension campaign
A career extension campaign begins with these elements:
- a self-assessment;
- the preparation of your documents;
- learning the methods used to conduct research.