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Going out into
the job market can be a frightening prospect, especially if you are trying
to branch out in a different
direction than the type of work
you are used to doing. It can seem as though employers are only interested
in those individuals who have experience with certain techniques or who have
performed similar types of work previously; with a bit of research, however,
you will quickly find that there are a number of opportunities available to
you so long as you are able to present the skills necessary to do the job.
Unfortunately, many people sell themselves short when trying to list or
describe the skills that they possess. If you can't be confident in your
skill set and understand the skills that are transferable into new markets,
then you'll have a much harder time convincing a potential employer that
you're the right person for the job they're offering.
This is where
being able to identify your own skills and interests can help you to bridge
the gap and show that you are more than qualified for the positions that you
seek.
Identifying Your Developed Skills
The first thing that you need to do is start thinking about the different
jobs that you've had in the past and the various skills that you've
developed over the years. Even fairly menial jobs can pass on a variety of
skills, including those skills which are highly sought after in the
corporate world such as time and project management and even customer
relations. The skills that you have were developed with time and hard work,
so don't be quick to discount them. List the various skills that you've
developed through work and other activities, making notes of any areas that
you are particularly strong in. Managing a household or home business
requires skills. If this is you, identify what skills you possess.
Finding Your Natural Talents and Abilities
Some things just come easier to certain people, and being able to identify
your natural talents can help you to get ahead when trying to get the job of
your dreams. Examine exactly what talents and natural abilities you have,
and how long you've known that they just come easily to you; many employers
are interested in having people with talent and who can do the work that
they offer them without struggling to get it completed. Don't worry that it
will sound like you're bragging to mention these talents and abilities…
that's what interviews and applications are for, to enable employers to
evaluate potential employees and determine which ones will be the best for
the job. Having natural talent in certain areas and showing documented proof
will help to qualify you as being one of the best.
Following Your Interests
When you begin looking for a job, make sure that you try and find potential
employers who fall within some of your areas of interest even if you've
never had employment in that area before. Often times employers will ask job
candidates during an interview exactly why it is that they want to work for
the company they've applied at; being able to say that you're genuinely
interested in the work that they do and having enough knowledge about the
field to back that statement up will help to show them that you'll likely be
a diligent worker and that you won't become bored with the work and go off
seeking another job. If you have developed skills or possess natural talents
which support that area of interest, that's even more of a mark in your
favor since you will not only be interested in the work but will also have
at least some of the skills and abilities needed to do it. These are
qualities that employers are always looking for, and they can help you to
land the job even when you thought that you wouldn't be qualified enough.
About
the Author: Contact
Career Coaching Connections at 248-390-0781 and visit
http://www.c3livingthedream.com. Cindy Swiantek has provided coaching and
instruction for several hundred professionals, assisting them in planning
and executing successful career transition. She brings her own experiences
from personally making the transition from employee to executive in the
automotive industry. Her passion for assisting others is contagious!
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