Topic : Career Goals

Hi, I'm a new member and came across your blog. You and I have this job thing in common. In fact, it's one of my biggest problems. I've had all kinds of jobs and have quit every single one of them. After college I subbed for a while. Then I got a job as a newswriter for a radio-news program. Quit that about 9 months later. Went to school to learn mechanics. Got a job. Quit that about 6 months later. Quit quit quit is all I've done. And it's because after a while, I hated the job. I have a hard time getting up in the morning before 10. I can't fall asleep at nights before midnight -- sometimes later. I call in sick a lot and when I get to work I feel paranoid that I'm not doing a good enough job and that at any minute I'm going to get fired. So I beat the boss to the punch and quit. I'm currently unemployed and stressed because I have no income and I don't know what I'm going to do for rent. Oh and I drink too much. So I'm thinking I'm suffering from depression.

 

This response is probably no help to you but I just wanted to let you know that I know where you're coming from. 

I am about to finish up my Masters in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics in May 2007. I am very anxious to be finished with school and start working and gaining valuable experience in the field!

 

I was wondering if I could get some advice about the job process, as far as when to apply and how many to apply to. I've found dozens of possible positions to apply to.  There's over 50 positions though, so I'm wondering if I should scale it down some. Or is it "the more, the better?"  I'm going into the testing market (or just basic statistical analysis), so I have some concern over the ability to find a job as there is some desire for PhD students over a Masters student.

Also, I'm graduating in mid-May ... when would be a good time to start sending out resumes and filling out the applications? I was going to begin on March 1, but I didn't know if that would be too soon.

 

Any pertinent information regarding the first career would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!

writing that you are very straight forward.  You may not realize it but this can and will scare many bosses - why - because they are intimidated by someone who is sure of themselves.  I know because I lost what would have become a fantastic position years ago by Not being afraid of the system.

 

I am going to give you some advice - If you have this drive, determination that I feel you have And you are Focused - why not try finding out what really turns you on and make a business out of it and maybe develope a website - which is what I am doing.

 

You are 40 Young!!!  I am 60 and Young!!!!!  Find out What/Where your passion is!!!!!

Ms. Bubbles:

 

I can appreciate your employment challenges. Many qualified, overqualified, and under qualified individuals have faced similar situations. Sometimes corporations don't tell you if you lack something they want. This may happen for numerous reasons: a) they simply want it to appear that they had a strong hiring pool, but they already know who they want and have you there merely as a courtesy interview, b) their reasons for not hiring you are based on unlawful discriminatory practices so they can't blatantly tell you this, c) perhaps someone else was simply a better organizational fit for them who had the same qualifications as you, or d) maybe the individual selected was more qualified than you are and the hiring staff advanced you to the next level in case that person did not accept the offer in which case you might have been the runner up. Ultimately, you may never really know why you didn't secure this position, but it doesn't hurt to ask them. You might start by contacting the person who interviewed you and saying that personal growth and development has always been important to you and you would like to know if you could have done anything differently in the interviewing process. Initially, this party might be leery of sharing  feedback with you for fear that you could sue if their reasons are not legitimate. However, if you cultivate a rapport with him/her and sense that it is ok, you might help put them at ease so that they can share with you invaluable feedback. I did this once. I learned that a hiring committee thought I took too long to order my meal at a restaurant which was part of my interviewing process. When I inquired about the job, one of the hiring committee members informed me of this. What they did not know was that I am vegetarian, and I could not find a vegetarian item at this restaurant. I ended up having to place a special order of steamed vegetables that was not on the menu. Because I kept in touch with this organization, they later called me when another position related to the original one I wanted became available. Unfortunately, by that time I had already made other plans. My point is, it's ok to politely and diplomatically ask if you could have done anything differently (or could have had something else, such as credentials) during the interview. I would also encourage you to consider a career coach. Sometimes we are not able to identify our weaknesses or what we could utilize as our selling points to prospective employers. I don't know where you reside, but a popular career coach who serves the U.S. and customer abroad is Craig Nathanson. He specializes in working with people aged 40 and over. You might want to check out his webpage or call him at (415) 457-0550. He has several books related to career coaching, etc. Another good book is What Color is Your Parachute; this book offers step by step instructions for how to land a job. I've read it and found it helpful. Overall, I would just like to encourage you to keep trying because the job that you are passionate about is out there, or maybe you can create it. I would also add that the people who are highly successful in life are able to overcome adversities and rejections in life; they persevere in spite of life’s challenges. Few people know that Basket Ball Star Michael Jordon was once cut from or not selected to play on a junior high basketball team, but we all know the end of that story – he didn’t let that stop him from trying. Look where his efforts got him. Best wishes and take care!   

 

 

Congratulations on your educational success! That's fantastic. I think you should start looking for a job now because sometimes the process takes longer than we may think or hope for it too. The benefit in starting now is that you may not feel desperate to take the first job that comes along. I assume you have the financial means to look comfortably without feeling like you have to settle. Depending on your profession the interviewing process can span weeks. In one of my previous jobs it was months from the first interview to the actual job offer with several follow up interviews with this same company in between. Jobs in academia are like this; however, I am not clear as to where you want to work. If you are applying for a job where there is a hiring committee, it might take longer than other positions. In other words, be prepared to wait. When I was finishing my undergraduate degree I started interviewing for positions in November, but the company that hired me did not actually start me until April after I graduated early from a private school. Therefore, March 1 is not too soon to start looking. If you get an offer before you are ready to start working simply tell them when you will be available. Most likely they will understand your need to complete school first. And if they can't wait for you, then the interviewing process would have been good practice for you in your search for another position. As I suggested to Ms. Bubbles in another message, there are some great books available for career building and job interviewing. I would encourage you to see some of them.

 

Many people learn of job openings through word of mouth, contacts within a corporation, friends, etc. Those are the best leads because you have someone to endorse you, and hiring manager may be more likely to trust their friend's advice about you. (With complete strangers, managers don’t know what they are getting.) However, other jobs are found through traditional means. Therefore, you might want to remember the basics:

 

1) Tailor your resume to meet the needs of each job to which you apply;

2) Call and follow up on your resume approximately one week after sending it. When you call it is ok to ask for an interview;

3) Research and know the company, as well as what you can offer it, before the interview;

4) Sell the company on why you would be beneficial to them because people want to know what's in it for them, not why you desperately need a job to pay off those student loans (smile). You need to set yourself apart from the competition, demonstrating that you are a hard worker, skilled, fast learner, etc.

5) Send a thank you letter immediately after the interview reminding them of why you are qualified.

6) If you get a job offer, be prepared to negotiate a salary. The job interviewing books can assist you with this. There is an art to getting both the salary the company can afford and the one you know you deserve. You’ve got to be diplomatic here, too. Don’t bring up salary until you know the company has got to have you. If you bring it up prematurely this could be detrimental. You may end up with a lower salary or come across as only wanting the job for the money (which may be true, but you don’t want to appear quite that desperate). Definitely read a few of those career-seeking books because they offer so much more that I don’t have the space to share right now.

 

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you.

 

I think it is normal for most people to want to quit their job after a while.  Usually when I get into a job it all becomes too familure and boring so I find some excuse not to do it anymore.  Right now I am planning to stay for a year at this job and try to move on to somethig more fulfilling.  The sleeping issues and drinking might be a problem though.  I think you may be a little depressed.  If you feel comforatable after you find another job I would look into some counseling.  I have been to a therapist and it just makes me feel better talking to someone else about my issues.  They could help you point out why you go from job to job, have a problem waking up, and want to drink too much.

 Hi. I am 23 years old and am a recent college graduate. My only experience is 15 months in the library and 3 months of accounting experience (2 of tax and one as an intern). I had double-majored in college (accounting and managment) with 150 credits; it's the minimum requirement for a CPA candidate. I also took 5-6 writing courses (13 with writing components) and 6 law courses as well. I've been looking for work at temp agencies, including an interview with the IRS as a secretary. I am trying to save up for a large purchase (one day I would like to have children and a home so the costs of raising a family are what I consider a major purchase). Also, I feel that the average person at age 23 throws away $2 million over the course of their lifetime in social security taxes and health insurance premiums with a 9% rate of return. I seem to be able to pick up myself after each interview, but I can never match all the expenses associated with the interview with any revenue (a job offer). The IRS interview for the Internal Revenue Officer position cost me $$124 ($5 for food, $9 for tolls, $35 for gas, and $75 for depreciation). I wasn't happy that I didn't get the job since that was an expensive interview, since it was over 200 miles away.

I have passed my Series 6 and need to focus on my brokers license exam (Series 7). I also need to pass a state exam called the Series 66 (the uniform securities law). That's not as important since it doesn't require employer sponsorship. I recently had a three-month interview that wen sour, due to difficulties with social cues. I am known as charming, compassionate, energetic, and cheerful. I also take initiative, work well with others, communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing, but not nonverbally), and I do well on the computer (everyone knows the computer).

I've got a birth defect that makes it difficult to read nonverbal cues in conversations. I've been diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy and a nonverbal disability (not sure which one is the accurate diagnosis). I've had about 40 interviews and 5 second interviews. Most people like being around me, especially if they knew me for at least a month, but first impressions are hard to convince people, especially during the high stress of a job interview. I have real difficulties with visuals and with eye-contact and in my opinion, people overestimate its importance for truth and confidence. However, people just love my factual and true resume; it's just they get very displeased or dissatisfied with the person behind the resume. I do feel discriminated against but since it is such a common custom, I'm going to try to practice it. I've had an IQ as high as 160 in math (currently it is 115 and it is 137 in calculation).

I'm a quick learner (well of written material). If I hear back from the people at StaffingNow, I could make $10 per hour for three months in a data entry position that would likely become a permanent position (no guarantees of course). I type around 65WPM or 10,720 KPH. With the IRS secretarial job, (unlikely I'll get it)  I would make $28,400 and I would hope to become an Internal Revenue Agent eventually making more than $50,000 per year in a 5-10 year period. I could save 20% of that income and pay all my expenses. If I needed to live alone, I could save around $1,000 per year. However, my uncle believes I'm worth $36,000 to $40,000 (well the job market there is 25 places higher than my home state) so he's probably right and once I become a Certified Public Accountant (just need to pass that tough exam), I could be worth as much as double that.

My uncle, a former CEO, wants to take me under his wing like he did for his daughters; in other words, he wants to asses me for an appropriate carreer such as accounting, HR, financial analysis, or financial planning or another suitable career. I'm nervous because there's no guarantees with his method and also there's no guarantee that his charm school will help me. He believes that as long as I take initiative and listen to his instructions (cooperate) that I will be highly successful in my life. I hope he's right. The eye-contact is solely a cosmetic problem; it doesn't cause any other problems.

I want to work in an area that I'm most skilled. Should I appear on the Dr. Phil show if this doesn't work out, as planned? I'm really hoping that I can succeed in a job if my uncle finds me a position. I'm looking for any advice that you may be able to provide me. Thank you.

Hi All,

 

How are you? I hope all of you are well.

 

My name is Shamma. I am from UAE (Dubai).

 

I would like to know what the most important point to choose your work:

 

1. Salary.
2. Position.
3. You’re Coworkers.
4. Location of work.
5. Working hours.
6. The offers (health insurance. flay ticket).  

 

I am looking your reply.  :)

 

I've been trying and trying to figure out the best career for myself.  I've been working in a few big businesses when i was in school, and one of those was for the government.  I also worked briefly (until the company went bust) in logistics as a data entry clerk, and now I work in a call centre (which - if it weren't for the great people I work with - I would hate).  Of all the jobs, I liked the data entry and government position best.  BUT, I would like something somewhat associated with either:  Writing, art, anthropology, or employment counselling.  The thing is, I'm good at all these areas and like them all.  I also find new age and paranormal stuff fascinating.  I would love to write or investigate for paranormal journals or for that branch of anthropology.

 

Yeah...I like these things equally and this is why I can't seem to choose.  It's always been a problem with me.  In school I had more electives, in a dozen different subjects, than courses in my major. 

 

How do I narrow this down?  I've attented career counselling sessions and done my own soul searching and still can't seem to narrow the fields down further than something in the Arts or Social Sciences.  And as for jobs...I've looked for some in these areas but so far I've been unable to get any positions related to them.

 

Any suggestions that can help me figure out what my ideal career should be would be great.  Thanks.

This is what I look for:

 

1.  Salary  - I'm not picky, but as long as it's above what I currently make (which isn't a lot), I'd be happy.

 

2.  Position - I just try to think what would be compatible with my personality, likes and dislikes.

 

3. Location - I really don't like the idea of travelling with work.  I want something in my city, or one where some friends of mine live so I don't have to pick up and start over.  (I've done that once and the company went out of business and really messed me up). 

 

 

Basically, if I get a job, great.  I won't fuss over schedules, benefits, or worry about coworkers until I've been there awhile.  And as for salary, I'm not too picky.  I know a ton of people with Masters Degrees working for minimum wage so I know the pay scale really depends on which company and position you work for.