Gail writes:
I have worked several minimum-wage jobs since I graduated high school, hoping one day something would hit me in the head and say ” Wake up, this is your calling!” One thing I can tell you, I have the want, but no drive to make it happen. This is my biggest problem, although I want so desperately for something to happen. My question for you is where do I start in looking for a career path that is interesting to me and will bring me great pleasure? I don’t want to end up middle-aged, hating my job, feeling as though I have wasted my life in a career that is not satisfying or enjoyable. What kind of tests can I take? Who should I talk too? Also, keep in mind I don’t want to have to pay a lot of money or any money at all if possible.
It sounds as though you have not hit that place in life where you realize that finding an ideal career and job is work in itself. You can’t expect a career to find you. It sounds as though you are close to this realization, but you may have a way to go to make something happen.
When you’re ready to do some work to try and find your ideal career — keeping in mind that current statistics show the average person changing careers about five times in their lives — here are my suggestions:
First, make a list of the things that you do well and the things you enjoy doing.
Second, take a few of the career assessment tests. I’ve gathered a few of my personal favorites at Quintessential Careers: Career Assessment. Many of these tests will give you a number of careers that take advantage of your skills and interests.
Third, with the information you have from the first two steps, either contact your old high-school guidance office and talk with one of the counselors or visit a college university or community college and see if you can learn more about the education requirements for the types of careers that interest you.
Fourth, consider volunteering, job-shadowing, or informational interviews to learn more and see first-hand people working in the careers that interest you.
These steps take a lot of time and effort, but the end results should lead you to some exciting choices. Good luck in your search.
Jill writes:
I recently graduated with a BS in social psychology at 41 years of age. The past 10 years I have been in the clerical field and now more than anything want to work with teenagers. In my cover letter and resume how do I relate my past experiences with the changing career choice I would like to make? Any information would be appreciated.
There are a few keys to making the successful transition. In terms of your cover letter and resume, you need to sit down and think about the skills you have learned and used and how they can apply to your new career field. For example, organizational skills are extremely important in the clerical field, and working with teens requires organizational skills as well. Read more about the topic by visiting Quintessential Careers: Transferable Skills.
The next key to success is to review the job descriptions of the types of jobs you are considering. How does your education and experience match up with the requirements? Can you position yourself to fit these requirements? If not, you may need to take some additional courses or look at different types of jobs.
Finally, I would encourage you to talk with people who currently have jobs that are similar to what you want to be doing or are supervising people who are doing the type of job you want to be doing. We call these informational interviews, and they are an extremely valuable resource for gaining knowledge, making contacts, and networking. Get the scoop by visiting Quintessential Careers: Informational Interviewing Tutorial.
Irina writes:
Can you please send me a sample for a cover letter asking for a informational interview — one that will get me in the door.
You are on the right track by asking. An informational interview should be an integral part of your networking and job-hunting plan. An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry — and to build a network of contacts in that field.
You can find a sample cover letter in the Quintessential Careers Informational Interviewing Tutorial.
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