Making the most of the new year

 This post is part of the Career Collective. The topic this month is to provide some transition assistance and information for job seekers who are unemployed or embarking on new jobs. Links to other valuable posts by other Career Collective members can be viewed at the bottom of this post.

The New Year is a time of hope. Many of us make resolutions and look forward to starting fresh. I always think of it as a time to plan ahead and consider the positive things that the future holds. For those of you in job search mode or transitioning from one career to something new, this time can be filled with uncertainty, and dare I say it – dread; it need not be though. Here are some (hopefully) uplifting thoughts and tips to keep you engaged, positive, and proactive where your career and job search are concerned:

Out with the old and in with the new
Just because you are in transition mode does not mean the situation should be perceived in a negative manner. Take this time to reflect on your past experiences and how you can leverage your skills in a new role. If you were previously in a position for many years, take the time to explore new things. Conduct some research to uncover things that might hold promise for the future. Use the time you have wisely; you should be taking some time to learn new things about yourself. Interact with friends and family; join a new group; speak to people at your alma mater. You might discover something that will lead you down a completely new path – something that you previously did not consider. When you open your mind to new possibilities you will find that the possibilities are really endless.

Evaluate new fields
One of the best things you can do during a transition is to conduct research. Once you have identified one or two new fields you would like to pursue, you will then need to dive into really uncovering information to help you understand the industry and positions where you can add value. We all have transferrable skills; make a full list of the things you can offer a potential employer. Cross reference your list with that of job descriptions you uncover to see where a potential fit exists.

Volunteer your time
I have always said (and will continue to promote volunteering) as a means to uncovering opportunities and meeting new and interesting people. Working collaboratively with others toward a shared goal for a common good is very gratifying. During this time you might discover new things about yourself as well as potentially identify ways that you and the people you meet to help each other.

Freelance or temp
If you are really uncertain as to a path you should take, consider freelancing or temping. This ‘try before you buy’ approach will allow both you and a potential employer to test the waters before you take the plunge. Temp work is a great way to experience new environments (albeit for a short time) but this might be all that you need to help you uncover a new path. In some instances, a temporary assignment can become full-time.

Develop new skills
One of the ways in which you can use your time is through advancing your competencies through education. Consider going back to school on a full- or part-time basis. You can take classes (online or in a traditional classroom setting). This will facilitate your self-exploration and also allow you to sharpen your newly developed competencies as you embark on what might be an exciting new path.

Don’t rush into something out of desperation. Take the time to consider what you have done and where you might like to go. Explore your options to help determine a new situation that could be the right fit for you.

See posts from other Career Collective participants:

@KCCareerCoach, Career Chaos, “The Art of Being Gracious: Much Needed in Today’s Job Search,”
@MartinBuckland, Elite Resumes,  Career Trends and Transition 2010
@heathermundell, life@work, Kaizen and the Art of Your Job Search
@barbarasafani, Career Solvers, Looking Into the 2010 Careers Crystal Ball
@resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog, The Resume and Your Social Media Job Search Campaign
@kat_hansen,  Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, New Year: Time to Assess Yourself and Your Career
@keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, Help for job seekers in a rut
@heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, Job seekers: 5 tips for making the most of 2010
@DawnBugni, The Write Solution, Ya, but
@ErinKennedyCPRW, Professional Resume Services, Advice to Job Seekers in 2010–learn Yoga?
@Chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, Starfish, JobAngels, and Making a Difference
@ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, Is Your Job Search Strategy a Snore?
@debrawheatman, Resumes Done Write, Making the most of a new year
@walterakana, Threshold Consulting, Starting anew – tips for truly managing your career
@careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, The Year of the Tiger
@WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithIllness.com, Dogs Can Do It, Can You?
@JobHuntOrg, Job-Hunt.org, Lifelong Learning for Career Security
@AndyInNaples, Career Success, What Are You Getting Better At? Make This the Year You Become the Best You Can Be!
@GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, A Flash of the Blindly Obvious


Comments and feedback are requested and desired; and you are welcome and encouraged to submit questions to thecareerdoctor.

Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and Chief Career Strategist of ResumesDoneWrite, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.

Debra can be reached at –
[email protected]
ResumesDoneWrite.Blogspot.com
WWW.ResumesDoneWrite.com
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