Let’s cover off what you do when you’re considering that next ‘great’ role.
Often we hear “I want to make a career change”. Funnily enough, this happens when it’s a candidate rich market and employers are spoilt for choice. And too often we hear “I’m happy to take a pay cut”.Some people will discuss a significant drop, tending to happen when market competitiveness is high. However, little consideration is given to the impact of these statements.
Think about your strategy! Ask yourself ” What do you want, but more
importantly, WHY?”
Many people can’t answer ‘why’.A sense of entitlement may develop and one believes a promotion is deserved; Roles may be chosen out of necessity or desperation; And then there’s the “I hate where I work” reason.
Some thought provokers:
* If you want to make a career change, use the skills you have now to get into your preferred industry or business. Then, work on developing the new capability set.
* If it’s about where you work, seek out the culture you need. Jobs develop, but cultures rarely change, not in the short term anyway. Know what matters and do your due-diligence. Get to the interview and ask the questions you need don’t make a call based on others’ opinion. You need to qualify an employer for yourself.
* If you’ll take a pay-cut, be practical. You can give a ‘desperate’ impression and undervalue your actual capability. It can also make employers nervous, questioning if you’re a flight risk.
* Work out what you don’t want! You may need to try a few things to get the answer. A contract market is good for this, but a word of advice: whatever you do, do it well. Canberra is small.
* Write your own resume. If you need to,seek assistance in relation to the context to best deliver your capabilities, but know your content!
* Use a resume as you should – to sell your experience. Don’t use motherhood
statements. Use fact and figures to demonstrate your achievements. If you
read your content and anyone could have written it – rework it!
* Don’t align a resume only to the advert or job description. It will look like every other application! You never know who the reader is – those extra capabilities included could be the difference between you and others!
Whatever you do – don’t take a ‘cookie cutter’ approach! Have a plan and ‘own’ your career – it’s no one else’s job!
Sandy Gibbs
Branch Manager
PCA People a division of DFP Recruitment