Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Patient, Realistic and Open Minded During Your Job Search

Take a good long look at your skills, accomplishments, passions and values and then identify a time when you were most happy in your job. This will help you determine which direction your career has to move to next.

Here are three questions you need to ask yourself:
1. Can you make money doing where your passions lead? Can your ideal job meet your needs in salary and benefits? Make note of your minimum requirements, and your maximum requirements. What is the average salary and benefits for your chosen occupation? You can also ask intentional questions during informational interviews with people working in your targeted industry.
2. Are there enough positions open to launch an all-out job search? While you may have identified an ideal job, it is a good idea to look at three to five possibilities that seem interesting. Your dream job may be too specialized for many openings, or there may be so many openings and options you may have a difficult time planning your search.
3. How long will it take to find your ideal job? Most of us underestimate the time it will take to become re-employed. The general rule is 3-6 months for a professional or manager, regardless of the economy or other factors. You can also estimate that it will take one month for every $10,000 of salary you were making at your previous job.

Be patient, realistic and open minded about your job search. Following your passion is a good thing. But beware of the pitfalls.

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