career1005

How many times have you thought about changing your career, only to drop the ball, because you didn't know where or how to get the information you needed. Well, get ready to pick up that ball and start it rolling! I've compiled some great ways to find all the info you need to know -everything ranging from salary info to training requirements - so that you can make a more educated decision about career change in your future:

Step One: Find a Good General Career Guide

When you have a general idea of the field you'd like to be in (i.e. music, sports, etc.,) but you need to learn more about specific opportunities within your field of interest, try taking a look at one of the career guides published by Impact Publications, www.impactpublications.com for guides ranging from "100 Jobs in Technology to Careers for the Stage-struck and other Dramatic Types. If you don't see what you need from Impact, simply input your field of interest into the book subject field of one of the online superstores, such as www.amazon.com and you're bound to come up with a relevant book or two.

Step Two: Narrow Your Focus

Once you've come up with a couple of intriguing sounding job titles, you'll want to learn about the different facets of working within those jobs. Input your favorite job titles into the keyword search offered by the Occupational Outlook Handbook, where you can get extensive information on over 250 careers. If you like what you read and think you might be willing to invest in some training in your new field of interest, proceed over to www.petersons.com to locate information on training/degree programs in your field of interest.

Speaking with people who are actively working in your field of interest is by far the single best way to get the real inside scoop on job options.

Step Three: Get More Specific Info
Expand your search by doing a keyword search in one of the mega search engines such as Yahoo or Google. You'll find links to associations, seminars, conferences, chats, and other pertinent sites. Speaking of associations, it is worth a trip to the reference section of your local library to consult the Gale Encyclopedia of Associations, which has detailed information on over 81,000 membership organizations worldwide. Associations can provide general career information packets and also be a great source of information on training programs.

Step Four: "Show Me the Money"

By now, you may already have a good general sense of what your target jobs pay. But, if you need more information, check out www.salary.com where you can get up to date salary information on a wide range of jobs. Or check out the website of individual professional associations, many of which poll their members periodically for industry specific salary surveys.

Step Five: Do "Person to Person Research

Last, but by no means last, is good old- fashioned research by conversation. Speaking with people who are actively working in your field of interest is by far the single best way to get the real inside scoop on job options. Go to a dinner meeting of an association in a field that interests you. Join an online special interest chat group or newsgroup. There are lots of ways to network your way into great conversations - just make sure you've done your homework first so you can ask intelligent questions, knock their socks off and dazzle them with your brilliance!

Nancy Collamer
Career Consultant
www.jobsandmoms.com

How to Reach Outside Yourself to Advance Your Career
By Linda Matias

Regardless if you choose to work with a friend, mentor, or career coach, you should be open to new ideas.

When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound to come across a Public Service Announcement (PSA) endorsed by a celebrity asking children to approach their parents, teachers, or someone they trust when they are at a crossroads. Through these PSAs, children are told that asking for guidance, encouragement, and support is a sign of strength. They don't have to go through a transition alone-help is just around the corner.

As adults, we tend to forget the value of reaching out to others when we are in need of assistance. There is this unwritten rule that we should be able to make decisions without the guidance of others. The reality is, however, that children and adults share a common ground: we are all humans who encounter situations that are challenging from time to time, and it doesn't make sense to go it alone.

Signs You Should Reach Outside Yourself

·You find yourself asking the same questions over and over because you can't find a resolution.

·You find yourself in a career transition and aren't sure which direction you should take.

·You need someone who can act as more than just a sounding board, someone who can provide thoughtful and constructive feedback.

When reaching out for assistance with your career, you have the following options:

·Friend. Friends can be sounding boards, have intimate knowledge of your personal and professional life, and may be able to offer objective and subjective advice.

·Career Mentor. Find a mentor within your company who is experienced and willing to guide you in your professional development. Your mentor should want to share their knowledge and professional experience, and expose you to new ideas and perspectives.

·Career Coach. This is someone who is willing to meet you where you are and assist in getting you where you want to go. A career coach can ask questions that inspire self-awareness and renewed enthusiasm for your professional outlook.

Be in a State of Mind to Accept Assistance
Regardless if you choose to work with a friend, mentor, or career coach, you should be open to new ideas.

·Fall in Love for Just 15 Minutes. It is easy to pooh-pooh an idea when it is first presented by saying something such as, "I tried that. It doesn't work. Instead of dismissing someone's idea out of hand, try to take in what they are saying and make the decision to love their idea for 15 minutes. Listen and participate in the discussion and buy into it, no matter how crazy you think the idea is. You may be surprised at the progress you can make by being open to others' thoughts and suggestions.

·Let Go of Resistance. If you find that you are resistant to change, it may be because your purpose isn't clear, you fear failure (or success), and/or you lack trust in your own ability to make decisions that are in your best interest. A good friend, mentor, or career coach will be able to help you through your resistance.

Final Thought
Your advancement is limited only by your commitment to your own career development. Involving others in your quest will get you one step closer to who you want to be, personally and professionally.

About the Author

Career Coach Inc. is run by Linda Matias and Bryan Cadicamo where their objective is twofold: to coach professionals through the interview process and those who are in a career transition and are looking to reawaken or discover their life's passion. To learn more visit www.careercoachinc.com or send an email to coach@careercoachinc.com