Brenda's Blog

As posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page:

The Question:

How do I know what career path is for me, when the job I’ve been doing has been so boring? I have a Bachelor’s in Commerce-Business Economics but I feel that I have wasted 5 years. — Margaret F

My Answer/Suggestions:

Hi Margaret,

What is the position that you have been doing for the last five years? Is it in Commerce/Economics also? What are the elements that you dislike and that you enjoyed?

Without knowing more details, from your comment it sounds as if there is a disconnect between your last position and your personality style. I would suggest doing solid inner research before doing external research on occupational options.

Many people choose a career simply because it sounds good, compensates in correlation to their expectations, or because they feel they “should” pursue it. However, that method of decision-making and selection rarely leads to fulfillment. To ensure your decision is built on a solid foundation, you need solid internal research of who you are in this moment, what service you want to provide, what gift you want to share, and what contribution you want to make.

Here are some Career Exploration activities I would suggest on route to choosing a career path:

1) Self-exploration

* Self-discovery, evaluation, and reflection during the process
* Personality assessments, including your personal style, as well as whether you need an extroverted or introverted position (in terms of energy give & take, not stereotyping)
* Determining the interests that you're passionate about
* Values assessment: identify, own, and act on
* Skills assessment: the skills you would love to do (even if you don't possess them at the moment), your competencies, and not the skills you no longer wish to use.
* What type of environment would you like to work in? People, work culture, busyness, etc.

Here is a link to some no-cost online assessments: http://www.workshoppersonline.com/assess.htm
(Note: this site was created by Marion Tansey, a very respected local employment program Manager.)

That process will give you ideas of what careers may be more in alignment.

2) Labour Market Information Research

Then, the next step is to research to obtain Labour Market Information. What are the trends? What is the supply and demand? Any courses required? What is the salary? Etc.

For a sample of Labour Market Information sites (Cdn.): http://www.workshoppersonline.com/labour.htm (Look for similar information as related to your geographic location.)

3) Occupational Research—Online

Then, the next step is specific Occupational Research on the career of interest. (Explore your top career of interest fully, before deciding on it or to research another.)

For a sample of Cdn. related sites, see: http://www.workshoppersonline.com/research.htm (Look for similar information as related to your geographic location.)

4) Occupational Research—In Person

After finding information online, next talk to people who are employed in your occupation of interest, as well as employers in the industry, to find out the most current, local information.

For a sample of related sites, see: http://www.workshoppersonline.com/research2.htm

Lastly, if you would like more related information, please feel free to check out:
• my article on How to Follow (or Find) Your Passion and Purpose, http://tinyurl.com/23roouu
• sample Information Interview (or research meeting) Questions, http://tinyurl.com/285czkf
• my article on Information Interviews (supplement with social media networking): http://tinyurl.com/154lrh

Hope this is of assistance Margaret and best of luck with everything,
Brenda

This is a re-tweet from Twitter:

A conductor makes no sound, but awakens possibilities in the musicians to create beautiful sound...maybe teachers should act like conductors. ~ @eduinnovation

On Twitter? Follow me at:http://twitter.com/brenblackburn

Join me and special guest, Keith Keller (coming all the way from Australia for these events!), as we present Social Media Savvy on Sat., Sept. 18th/10. Keith is a Social Media Job Search Specialist, Career Change Coach, Founder of Career Journeys Australia, and Co-Host of the widely acclaimed Career Success Radio.

The morning is for Career Development Practitioners. As Career Development Practitioners it's our job to stay on top of trends in our field and stay ahead of our clients' needs regarding up-to-date strategies. Now, more than ever, the use of social media is quickly becoming the norm for career exploration and job search, as well as for career maintenance, advancement, and business growth in many fields. Whether skeptical or not, we must move forward with technology and demand, by role modeling and sharing knowledge to aid in client self-sufficiency and career success. (All materials...facilitation guide, slides, etc. are provided on a USB...all included in the price!) For more information and registration: http://www.brendablackburn.com/events/smss/index.php

The afternoon is open to the general public. Whether you're looking for a new career, a new job, or new business ventures, you'll want to use up-to-date strategies. Now, more than ever, the use of social media is quickly becoming the norm for career exploration and job search, as well as for career maintenance, advancement, and business growth in many fields. A great deal at only $47 (Early Bird rate!) For more information and registration, see: http://www.brendablackburn.com/events/smss/job-seekers.php

(Limited seating.)

Hope to see you there! :)

As you may know, I'm a fairly regular guest on Career Success Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/careercommunique) and am a member of their Expert Panel (http://careersuccessradio.com/career-success-expert-panel/).

In addition to recent programming, last autumn I chatted with Keith Keller from CareerSuccessRadio.com and we ended up recording part of our conversation to use as a segment for an upcoming show, which will now air on Jan. 31/10 at 2:00 p.m (PST). That show's topic will be "Recruiting Great Staff & Keeping Them" and my segment is from the job seekers' perspective. I discuss why exploring one's values (and personality) is so crucial for a good fit and win-win situation.

Catch you on the air waves! :)

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page, along with my response and suggestions for

Question:
Unpleasant job tasks – should I learn to overcome or do something different?
How do you know which unpleasant aspects of a job are difficulties you should learn to overcome, and which are a genuine indication that you should do something different?
– Rosemary WW

Answer:

Hi Rosemary,

All jobs tend to have at least one task that isn’t our favourite, or an area which may be utilizing our weaker abilities.

Consider writing out all the tasks you perform and whether each is pleasant or unpleasant for you. Add them up. If you have more unpleasant ones, that might be the indication you may want to consider something else. If you only a few more difficult aspects, you may want to consider solutions… i.e. ways to improve, communicating with your team and/or boss around strategies.

When we work performing a lot of unenjoyable skills, we can experience “burnout”, so something to pay attention to!

If you want to consider different career options, you might want to do some career self-assessments, which can help to confirm whether you’re on the right track or not. A website I can recommend is: http://www.workshoppersonline.com/assess.htm. There, you’ll find a variety of free assessments including personality types, interests, values, skills, etc.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Brenda Blackburn
Personal & Professional Development Facilitator
Certified Employment Counsellor
Certified Life SkillsCoach

http://www.brendablackburn.com
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profile/BrendaBlackburn

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