It's the most wonderful time of the year - I would sing to you, but alas, it is one gift I was not blessed with:) I am beyond excitement this week as I prepare for my travel to Georgia this weekend - there is nothing in the world like spending time with family and loved ones around the holidays.
I recognize this time of year can be very difficult for many people, so I never take for granted what or who I have in my life, not only around the holidays, but all year round.
In the spirit of the holiday season, I am going to do my share for spreading cheer and giving hope to those who are unemployed, underemployed or simply dissatisfied with their careers. Maximize this time of year to take in all the advice and tips you need to get motivated, recharged and focused for 2012. So here I go...
On the first day of the holidays, my executive career coach said to me:
Conduct an honest self-assessment
Whenever I talk to clients who have reached a crossroads in their careers, I always hear "I don't know what I want to do. Can you give me an test to figure it out?"
Well....there are career assessment tools that help provide clarity about your values, interests, personality and skills, but there is no magic wand available. However, you can take the first step and make a commitment to really uncover those things deep inside your heart.
Take a look at your current job and evaluate your career progress in the past five years and ask yourself these questions:
-- What do you value in work - achievements, recognition, status, autonomy or making a difference? Is is present in your current job?
-- What skills are you good at and really enjoy using - writing, teaching, leading others, building, analyzing?
-- Does your current job fully maximize your talents, strengths and favorite skills?
-- Are you passionate about what you do and genuinely interested in your company's products, services and clients?
-- Does your paycheck make elated, happy or disgusted - bottom-line are your financial needs being adequately met?
-- Are your job tasks and required responsibilities at a reasonable level or do you feel excess pressure and demands?
-- Are you stuck in first gear or does your job give opportunities for growth and personal development?
Are you moving forward, are you stuck, are you right on track? Well, don't sit there staring at the questions, nodding and shaking your head - go ahead, take notes and decide how you feel about your current career.
Related posts:
Day 1: Conduct an honest self-assessment
Day 2: Say goodbye to career mistakes and disappointments
Day 3: Jump start your long lost career dreams
Day 4: Take credit for your life and career achievements
Day 5: Identify and promote your personal brand
Day 6: Create a standout resume
Day 7: Beef up your online presence and get your "voice" heard
Day 8: Invest in your professional development
Day 9: Build relationships and expand your network
Day 10: Identify and get a good mentor
Day 11: Stay focused and committed to your career goal
About Abby, Executive Career Architect, Job Search Expert, Master Resume Writer
Ask yourself these questions:
-- Does your executive resume accurately describe your management style and leadership capabilities?
-- Is your executive resume rich with compelling Challenge-Action-Results success stories that indicate your value contribution?
-- Does your executive resume convey enthusiasm or energy motivating employers to contact you?
-- Has your executive resume been generating a stream of employer responses for the right jobs?
If you have answered no to any of these questions, you should be talking to Abby Locke. She is an executive resume writer helps senior-level executives to achieve career success through cutting-edge, brand-focused career documents and proactive career management strategies.
Her distinctive executive resume samples have been published in 13 national career publications...click here to schedule a resume consultation.
