Work, success and meaning at every stage of your career
I get asked for career advice all the time, and I’m happy to give it. It’s part of my job at CareerSource Northeast Florida, of course, but it’s also my personal mission to help as many people as possible find meaningful work and become successful. So I give my time freely, and for free (two … Continue reading Social Versus Market Norms
If your job search is going to extend into the new year, here’s a resolution that will make a difference: look for a meaningful volunteer job. Volunteering always makes a difference, of course, in the community and for the people whom nonprofits serve. It’s good to know that you can make a difference to others … Continue reading Volunteer
For years, many people with varied interests have looked at their mindset as a drawback; they were told that they were scattered, shallow, or not serious. Some wondered if they had attention disorders.
If you once thought you had everything figured out, you had all the answers, and you were a winner through and through, welcome to a new reality: one in which you don’t know everything, you have lots to learn, and every social gathering is filled with people who can teach you.
The first week that you started looking for a new position, hiring managers may not have even noticed that you were technically unemployed. And they certainly (hopefully) had the common sense not to hold this against you. But if you’ve been on the market for a few months—or years—now, things might be a bit different.
There are only a few instances in your life where you feel completely thrilled and utterly terrified at the same time. Skydiving is one of them, and college graduation day is another. College grads are faced with many prospects and overwhelming emotions. There is promise of freedom from final exams and early morning lectures; there are also the looming threats of unemployment, student loan debt, and other “real world” issues.
If your job search is going to extend into the new year, here’s a resolution that will make a difference: look for a meaningful volunteer job. Volunteering always makes a difference, of course, in the community and for the people nonprofits serve. It’s good to know that you can make a difference to others and make a difference in your job search at the same time.
The beginning of the calendar year is a natural time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and what you’d rather change about yourself. Here are some questions to ask about your personal brand.
It’s election time here in Jacksonville; our local mayoral and city council races are in full swing. It strikes me that your job search is a little like a race. Maybe there’s something you can learn from a well-run campaign.
First, a well-run campaign seeks out the best advice it can get. Candidates get help with organizing, messaging, and reaching out to voters and donors. The best candidates also talk to experts on issues and get candid feedback on their appearance and speaking skills.
So having a significant gap in your employment history puts you in good company, and doesn’t reflect poorly on your skills or work ethic. Does that mean you should just wait and hope that things get better? There is one sure way to keep busy, expand your network and close up that employment gap.
Your Work, Your Way 