Strategize For Your Ideal Career: Dream First

One essential means of discovering what it is you want to do with your career is to "Dream First". This is something I remind my career coaching clients of all the time. It sounds so simple, yet so few people allow themselves to sit down, relax, and give their minds the freedom to wander unrestrained.

One reason for this may be that we have been trained all our lives to follow orders and rules, and as a result, tend to let process and procedure dictate our behavior. But if we're forever waiting for approval or instructions on what to do next, how are we supposed to think creatively and out of the box? It's no wonder that sometimes when we try to think for ourselves, without a specific process, we can come up empty handed and/or confused.

Remember that this is your life, your future to shape and mold on your own. No one can take that away from you - not your employer, not your family, and not even society. So if you feel unsatisfied in your current career, are dying to explore new territory, or have a secret wish to do something entirely out of your comfort zone... just go for it! Try it out and see where the experience leads. You only live once and believe it or not there are ways and means around every corner to help you get where you want to be. One of my favorite quotes is "The greatest risk in life is not taking one." And finding out exactly WHERE that future is, begins in the hollow of your mind where dreams and fantasies take shape.

So, what's your dream? What did you want to do as a child? What's your vision of the perfect career, the kind of job that makes the best use of your talents, skills and strengths? What would be the job for you that "doesn't feel like work" because it's something you're naturally good at and enjoy doing? Try the exercise below as a way to explore the possibilities - it's a great first step toward taking the plunge and making the move to a more satisfying career.

Career Seekers Brainstorm: What's Your Dream?

Take some time to think about/write down your responses to the below questions. The purpose of this exercise is to let go of the pressure, realize that the answers lie within you... and the future can be anything you want it to be. With this brainstorm, we will attempt to figure out what that future is. Have fun, let the ideas flow, and if you'd like to schedule an appointment for a career coaching session, simply fill out the form on my contact page.

1. What's the one thing that drives you to get out of bed each morning and face a new day?

2. Recall your proudest moments in life. What were you doing when these took place? What gifts or talents of yours manifested themselves at such moments?

3. If you had a secret superpower, what would it be?

4. What's your daydream of The Perfect Job for you? What are you doing, exactly? Which tasks do you take care of yourself, as opposed to the things that other people will handle?

5. Is there someone in life who you admire, look up to, or even envy because you wish you had the life/career/experiences they have? What do they do and what part of that do you find attractive?

6. Which parts of your current job do you dislike, and why? What would you want to have instead?

Congratulations! You just took one necessary step in creating a life and career that fulfills your wildest dreams. If you enjoyed exploring the ideas in this Career Seekers Brainstorm and would like to learn how to "bring those dreams back down to earth" and turn them into practical steps for a great future career, visit my career website listed at the bottom of this article.

By Hallie Crawford

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

For the Young Career Seeker: How to Set Up an Informational Interview

Thinking that you'd like to set up an informational interview in your chosen field? Good for you! An informational interview is not like a typical interview; in this case, there is no "want ad" to answer and no open position to fill. It's simply a way to make contact with someone who works at a company that interests you. It's a method of getting your name out there while learning more about careers in your industry.

If you're young and just starting out in your career, I highly recommend taking the initiative and seeking out an informational interview as a stepping stone to a great career doing something you really love. You'd be surprised how many young career seekers don't bother to set something like this up, and miss some really terrific opportunities because of it.

How to get the informational interview ball rolling:

Begin by speaking to someone in your social circle who already has a foot in the door. Also scan online for companies that appeal to you, and then ask if you can schedule an informational interview with someone in their office. You might even ask for an interview with a family member who works in a position or with a company that appeals to you.

Prepare in advance.

The very first thing you should do before this or any type of interview is update your resume. Include all of those resume basics, like your career objective, college degree, computer proficiencies, and especially any experience you may already have, including unpaid internships, temp jobs and so forth. If you need extra help with this, I suggest hiring a professional resume writer. Leave it to the pros to brush up your resume for you. You can find resume writers I recommend here: http://www.halliecrawford.com/resources.html.

Make initial contact.

When you feel ready to make contact, try sending an email first so they're not caught off guard by a random phone call. If you can't locate their email address, then the call is okay. Present yourself professionally; tell them something like, "My name is so-and-so and I'm interested in learning more about (X type of) careers at your firm. I'd love it if we could set up a time to talk." Of course, it helps to draft a couple of practice emails or do a few test-runs of your phone message before sending it out there.

Tips for a successful information interview.

1) Be clear.

Let them know up front that you're looking to set up an informational interview and would like 30 minutes or so of their time if they're willing. Tell them directly what you’re wanting help with, "I'd like to learn more about what it's like to actually work in this field." Or "I want to know if someone with my personality and skills can succeed in this type of business."

2) Be prepared.

This is your chance to ask questions about the company and the industry, so write up a list of things you want to know. When the big day arrives, don't hold back. If you feel nervous about this at first, then give your interviewer the floor for the first part of the interview. Later, after you've explained your personal interest in this type of job and your experience, you can ease into asking questions. Here are some good ones:

• What does a typical day on the job consist of?

• What do you like best and least about what you do?

• What qualifications and experience does someone need to have in order to get a job in this field?

• What is an entry level position in this field?

• What are best places to look for jobs in this field?

• How did you get started?

• Do you know anyone else who it would be beneficial for me to talk to?

3) Be respectful of their time.

Ask how much time they have (30 minutes, an hour?) and be respectful of that. Don't just call them out of the blue and expect them to be able to talk right then. Set a time and treat this just as professionally as you would a "real" interview where they're searching for someone to fill a position. If this is a friend or family member, don't let them side-track you with long-winded chatter about personal topics. Politely remind them that you don't want to take up too much of their time but would love to learn more about what they do.

4) How and where?

You can conduct your interview over the phone or in person, whatever they prefer. I like to suggest the phone as a first option. It's less formal and will save the interviewer preparation time as well as save you money on gas! However, if they prefer to meet in person, do what works best for them. Also know that if you're really feeling good about your future at this company, then you just might want to meet up in person. You'll get the inside perspective and have the chance to be seen as well as heard. Visual impressions go a long way - so be sure you're dressed to impress!

5) Send a hand-written thank you note.

Be sure to get the mailing address of the person with whom you're interviewing. If they referred you to someone else, let the original contact know if/when you connected with them and how it went. Thank everyone "in your path" who may have led you to the informational interview. If you don't feel very confident about your handwriting, then type your letter out on stationery and send by mail. It may be tempting to just flip them a thank-you by email, but I recommend sending a note of appreciation that they can hold in their hands. It's something to remember you by, and that's what you want - to be remembered.

By Hallie Crawford

Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

7 Tips To Help You Discover What You Really Want From Your New Career

Here are some tips to help you in the career discovery process. You can do them in any order that you'd like, and feel free to skip any that you're not comfortable with. Achieving your dream career is a journey of self-discovery, and finding out who you really are and what you really want out of life can be a fulfilling exercise in itself.

Tip #1 - Discover (or re-discover) what you're really passionate about. If your new career isn't something you could feel passionate about, then it's probably not the right choice for you. Think about what you enjoy doing in your spare time: your hobbies, what you like to watch on TV, what you like to read and study, and what you like to discuss with family and friends.

Tip #2 - Get feedback from family and friends. Talk to the people you trust, and ask them to give you an honest assessment of where they see you going in life (but be prepared; you might not like the answers you get). Also ask them what they think you'd be good at, what you'd be happy doing, and why. But be careful when asking people you work with these questions, especially if you plan on staying at your current job for awhile.

Tip #3 - Do some soul searching. Think back through your career and identify times when you felt really excited and happy with what you were doing. Times when you were energized by your work, and could hardly wait to get back to the office the next day. What was it about those times that made your work fulfilling? What would it take to recapture that feeling in your new career?

Tip #4 - Visualize your perfect day. This is a technique used by self-help gurus like Tony Robbins to help people focus on what they really want in life. Find a quiet place where you can be alone for 30 minutes or so, and then close your eyes and picture what your perfect day would look like, from the time you wake up to the time you went to bed. Who would you be with? What work would you be doing? What activities would you find stimulating and fulfilling? Be as detailed and specific as you can. Then write it all down in a notebook or journal.

Tip #5 - What do people ask you on a continual basis? This is another clue as to what you're good at, and what you might find fulfilling in a new career (as long as it's something you enjoy doing). What things do you consider yourself an expert in, either at work or at home? If you could become a teacher in one topic, what would that topic be? Many people have turned their hobbies and part-time pursuits into successful careers.

Tip #6 - Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Too many people get caught up in what they don't like about their current job or career--it's boring, they hate their boss, there's no room for growth, etc--instead of focusing on what they do want out of a new career. It's been said more than once that positive thoughts lead to positive change.

Tip #7 - Don't forget to take a break. If you're upset or frustrated by your inability to pinpoint your ideal career, give yourself a break. Spend some quality time with your family or friends, take a long weekend trip, take a walk on the beach. You'll probably find your frustrations melting away, and often the answers to your questions will come to you at the most unexpected times.

Kent Johnson - author, publisher, career coach. "Helping people realize their dreams one career at a time." Your Dream Career.com - your source for career tips and info ==> http://your-dream-career.com

By Kent Johnson

Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy