This week's job searching tip deals with changing to a new career. The key point author Richard Price makes in the article is you have to have a clear focus and know the industry and job you are going after. If you already have that focus and are ready to get yourself in front of employers looking to hire, we recommend using a service like ResumeDirector to get your resume posted on all the job boards at once. Their service will post your resume on over 90 job sites including HotJobs, Monster, CareerBuilder, etc. To find out more about it, visit this web address:
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You may also want to consider advertising yourself by sending your resume directly to the inboxes of thousands of recruiters and employers in your industry. To find out about ResumeArrow, a service that can do this for you, visit this web address:
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With so much turmoil in our economy, it is easy to lose sight of some important factors about change. Each of us looks at our own lives, careers, family situation and job prospects through a lens of our own creation. It is often very difficult to acknowledge that "my reality" is not the only reality. Perhaps if circumstances were different, each of us would be in a different place, have a different career, pursue different goals. In other words, if the reality of our circumstance were different, we would also be different.

And that's the key. The fact is each of us can create a different reality. More importantly, in a dynamic environment such as ours, many of us have to. We all witnessed the migration of high paying factory jobs to low paying areas, especially overseas. Now, service jobs such as financial analysis, software development, basic engineering are moving, as well as a continuing outflow of manufacturing jobs.

So what can we do? The answer is: plenty. The fact is new opportunities constantly emerge. To take advantage of these new opportunities we have to create a mindset that encompasses a new reality. That is, a reality that appreciates the skills we have and the value and flexibility those skills offer in changing careers to new industries. Impossible you say? Well, a significant body of research has clearly demonstrated that it can be done. Employees who changed positions or careers across virtually any age group successfully made the transition once they understood the principles of transferable skills. In many cases additional schooling, especially of a technical nature, was necessary to complete the transition. But, what is important is the degree to which our experience and knowhow can be useful in a myriad of applications. An extraordinary amount of technical, organizational, planning, finance, management and other experience is readily transferable, if we are so disposed.

The research also shows that employers are highly receptive to "fresh blood." That also applies to older workers. Organizations benefit from the new perspectives, new skills and the breadth of experience that industry changers bring to a new position. In fact, some studies suggest that up to half of all job changers actually move into a new industries when they change jobs. Whatever the number, it is more common than readily recognized and changing careers over a lifetime must be an important component of the career mix. Research has also suggested too many people are unhappy in their job or career, for reasons that have to do with the type of work or the industry. A career change has led many to new and fulfilling professional lives, a wonderful breath of fresh air.

So if I have convinced you a career change is a viable option. Now what do you do?

The first step is a skills inventory. It is astounding how little regard people have for both the depth and breadth of their own skills. But this is no time to be modest. It is imperative to understand what you have to offer. Consider not only work experience, but any relevant experience outside of work such as leadership posts in local organizations, responsibility for funds, organizing and planning activities and any other relevant activities.
The skills inventory should be supplemented with an interest and values inventory. For example, some people like to work alone, others prefer a team projects. Some people want the freedom to be creative, other prefer enumerated tasks and a timetable to accomplish those tasks. So think about your values as well as the type of personality you have and how your working style can fit an industry or job.

The next step is researching industries and companies that would best fit your inventory. Perhaps additional schooling is required. There is a plethora of education opportunities to fine tune your skills inventory. In fact, regardless of age, the opportunity training is available. Take advantage of it. You are now in a position to consider training plus your inventory, complemented with solid research into the industry, the companies and the types of jobs. Armed with those criteria you can find the work best suited to your interests, skills and values.

To find out about opportunities to train from home for technical skills or even college degrees, visit our education and skills resource center:
http://www.jobsearchinformation.com/jsinf/degrees.asp

If you're interested in researching industries and companies, consider the Wet Feet site:
http://www.jobsearchinformation.com/jsinf/wf.asp

Now you must expand your networking circle and develop the tools that best fit the new search. Join relevant groups, solicit information interviews and, most of all, tap your old network for those who may have already taken the plunge. You will be amazed at the number of old colleagues that are now doing work they never imagined during the best years in your former firm or industry. Keep an open mind for related opportunities also. One position at a company may be a lead to the perfect job. Sometimes a major change can really jump start your creativity, offering new perspectives and new challenges.

Finally, be persistent! I frequently emphasize the need to believe in yourself and never give up. I know it is easy to say, but we live in a world that does have many happy endings, one in which the optimists generally come out on top. Be an optimist, don't give up and you will succeed.

This job searching tip was contributed by Richard Price of the career and job search counselling firm Berke and Price Associates. Berke and Price provides job search and career counselling sessions by phone. To find out more or to schedule a phone consultation, visit this web address:
http://www.jobsearchinformation.com/jsinf/bp.asp

If you are looking to change to a new career, having a resume that clearly shows how your prior experience is relevant in the new industry is critical. Visit the Resume Edge web site to find sample resumes or to have a professional resume writer revamp your resume for you. Find out about Resume Edge at this web address:
http://www.jobsearchinformation.com/jsinf/edge.asp


This article was provided by JobSearchInformation.com.  For additional career resources, please visit http://www.JobSearchInformation.com.