This question was originally posted on the DeniseMpls Facebook page.
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QUESTION:
I am going to be looking for professional work for the first time in years. Any advice?
ANSWER:
There is no one-size-fits-all career plan. What you do and with whom you connect can change depending on, among other things:
- the type of job you are looking for
- your career cluster or industry
- location
The details change for each person with each job search. However, every job seeker and every employee planning his or her next career move should follow three steps:
- Know Yourself
- Be Yourself
- Express Yourself
Get a notebook or make a computer file for yourself to keep track of all your career information. Answer these questions or others like them before you start applying for jobs.
Know Yourself
- What is the target job you want right now?
- What is important to you? How will your target job help you get or keep what is important to you?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- What type of work environment fits you (schedule, setting, personal interactions)?
- What skills and experiences will you bring to your new job?
Be Yourself
- How does your work fit in with your personal goals or mission?
- What teams or professional communities are you active in?
- What groups of people do you want to help? How will you help these people in your job?
- How will you help an employer to improve their business or make money?
Express Yourself
- How can you share all or parts of your personality at work?
- How do you communicate with others, share information?
- How do you display your professional skills using social media?
- What do you do that is better or different from other people? How will you show this at work?
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