Find A Job That Brings You Joy!

Making a Living or Making a Career?

In an ideal world, these two would be one and the same. Unfortunately, that’s not always the reality. There are people who know exactly which job they want, but they need to start making an income NOW. It’s a quandary many job seekers face – should they take a position that could derail them from their career goals or risk not being able to pay the mortgage?

Ultimately, the basic needs of yourself and your family will come first. This sometimes entails performing work that may not contribute directly to your career. However, it’s often not as much of a problem as many people think. The tips below will help you make the most of a job that’s not a part of your career plan.

1)    Think about the positives: Every job has some redeeming quality. Do you have friendly co-workers? A short commute? A daily task that you enjoy more than you would have expected?

2)    Look at it as a training opportunity: If there’s even one new skill or insight you can take away from the job, it’ll be worth it.

3)    Consider how to position it as an asset: It’s not always easy to see, but think about some ways your new experience can add value to your target job. For example, let’s say you’ve always been in an IT position where you rarely worked with people. If your “bridge job” was in retail, you may now qualify for a more client-focused role because of your new customer service skills.  

Tags: career path, need job, paycheck
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Investing In Your Future Without Spending (Much) Money

Usually, people think of IRA’s and 401(k)’s when “investing” is mentioned. Or, they think of saving 4-8 months of liquid reserves in case of a layoff. 

These are both important, but there’s another type of deposit you can make for your future – additional knowledge. We all know that a college education is a valuable career investment, but many don’t think much beyond that. Everything else they need to know, they learn on the job.

This may not be enough to stay competitive. To advance, reduce the risk of a layoff, or get hired at a new company, it helps to stay up on trends and learn the latest industry tools.

Most people think any kind of continuing education has to mean college – that’s not the only option. Many times, employers want to know that you know something, and they don’t care HOW you know it.  One of the simplest things you can do is regularly Google your job function/industry for news. You can also follow industry leaders on Twitter, to get a good idea of the latest trends. These options, of course, are available at no cost.

If you only do one thing to invest in your career future, join an industry association. Not only will you have access to the latest information (for example, through a newsletter, teleseminars, and/or conference), you’ll be networking at the same time! Whether by e-list, private LinkedIn Group, or in-person event, you’ll continue to grow your knowledge base while simultaneously building relationships (BOTH of which are investments in your future). Though you’ll have to pay a membership fee, it’s usually nominal compared to all you’ll receive. Plus, you may have the option of getting a free or discounted membership by volunteering – yet another way to network!

It helps to invest your finances, but it’s almost as important as investing your time in continuing education. Being up-to-date is too important to your career to neglect!

Picture: Studying for a Test 2, by hvaldez1

Tags: continuing education, Networking, promotions
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Inspiration: Wish Lists And Action Plans

Today’s inspiration comes to us from Eleanor Roosevelt, ranked in the top ten of Gallup’s List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.

I was reminded of this quote the other day when coaching a a 20-something who felt stuck in his career. I suggested he download the free MarketMyCareer.com Weekly Activity Goals Planner and give himself some homework. In my experience, just taking one small step forward can create the momentum we need to really get moving.

This quote from Roosevelt sums it up perfectly:  ”It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas:

• Attend an industry event
• Schedule an informational interview
• Contact one new recruiter
• Update your LinkedIn profile

The thought of launching a job search can be overwhelming. Setting small goals for yourself  is a great way to get moving, and ticking them done will help you see the forward progress your making.

Image Credit

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What Andy Rooney Can Teach Us About Finding A Job That Brings You Joy

Retirement is a common topic among people of all ages. For most, it’s a goal, and, financial concerns aside, something they have never considered NOT doing. 

Apparently Andy Rooney is an exception. He vowed to work until the day he died, and he came pretty close. Within just a few weeks of retiring from 60 Minutes, he passed away at age 92.

Though the money was probably nice, it’s doubtful that financial concerns are what kept him working. Same goes for Former President Jimmy Carter, Actress Betty White, and Journalist Barbara Walters. These people don’t HAVE to work, yet they choose to – why? 

You may be thinking, “well, they have amazing jobs!” Some might think so, but EVERY job has its challenges. Plus, there are plenty of “regular people” who choose to keep working well beyond retirement age. There are even some arguments that doing so can keep you healthy and mentally sharp. And, the extra years of income certainly couldn’t hurt! 

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the future. There may be real challenges that keep you from being able to work (including health issues or mandatory early retirement), and having a nest egg can help. However, maybe it’s worth remembering that there are some people out there who love their jobs so much, that don’t even consider retirement.

Not all of us are blessed to have figured out our career passions in high school or college. Still, it’s worth continuing to explore until you find the job that makes you so happy, you may never want it to end!

Tags: career goal, career passion, retirement
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