Career Planning for Success
Successful career planning is a program – not a project. It should be something that becomes part of your life – even if you love your job, even if it is the best job you have ever had, even if you think you might go directly from your current job to the golf course you should always keep your eyes open. I cannot tell you how many of my clients haven’t updated their resumes, gone on an interview or explored their options for years; and one day they find themselves bored with their jobs, frustrated with a new boss or worse laid-off due to circumstances beyond their control.
Why People Procrastinate
I have been thinking about writing a blog about waiting until the last minute but I keep dropping it to the bottom of my list. Ah, procrastination! Why do people do it? I even do it! I eventually get to what needs to be done – albeit late, and sometimes kicking, but I get there.
What’s Legal and What’s Not During the Interview
Do you ever wonder when leaving the interview if the questions you have been asked are on the up and up? Do you sometimes feel like you might have been asked a question that you shouldn’t have been asked? Well, there are laws for these things. There are federal, state and local laws that govern what can be explored during the interview and those things that are totally off limits.
It’s interesting; you would think that companies would train their management – at least those that are conducting interviews to know the appropriate way to conduct the interview. The questions asked of you must be totally related to the job – whether you can perform the essential functions of the role. When asked an illegal question you can decline to answer (this will probably result in not being called back); answer (and risk of giving the ‘wrong’ answer); or simply respond that you can meet the job requirements as stipulated.
Fostering Success in a New Job
Looking forward to starting your new job? Nervous? You might be joining a company after a brief hiatus from the workforce or transitioning from one job to another. Regardless of the situation it can be challenging to slip into a new role with ease. After all, it’s a new environment; there are new people, processes, and systems; you have a new boss that you will need to get to know; and then of course there is the job itself! To help facilitate your new start and get you off on the right foot, here are some tips to drive your (imminent) success:
Building Self Confidence
Self confidence is a critical component to an effective job search. Confidence empowers us and gives faith in the ability to quell feelings of self-doubt – particularly important when you are trying to gain employment. How you feel about yourself is projected during the interview process and plays a major part in success or failure during those interactions. Do you panic when asked to speak before an audience? Do you fail to stand up for yourself in business situations? Do you find yourself making excuses in demanding situations? Do you apologize when you haven’t done anything wrong? Here are some of my tips and guidelines to help you:
This blog's author, Debra Wheatman of Careers Done Write, provides executive career services including resume and cover letter preparation, job search / interviewing strategies and professional branding including how to effectively use LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media in your career.
Visit CareersDoneWrite.com to learn more about how we can put your career in gear with interview catching resumes and professionally written career documents.