Thursday, 18 April 2013
Thursday, 29 November 2012
How You Can Make Better Career Decisions Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
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I don't like personality tests. I don't like to be put into a box after answering a bunch of questions. I strongly believe that people are individuals and thus I resist any kind of stereotyping. Err, wait a moment... Did I say I don't like personality tests? Let me revise that: I didn't like personality tests! There have been some encounters in my life that made me change my mind, at least with regard to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, short MBTI. I have learned that the MBTI can help you understand yourself better, and thus for instance be very helpful for career decisions.Let me share my personal experience with you and see how this may apply to you.My first contact with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator must have been about twelve years ago. I did the assessment during my first leadership seminar when I was a young manager in a large German corporation.I cannot remember what the result was, but I remember well that it was quite disturbing. I felt that my natural preference of my so-called four letters "type" (that is the result of an MBTI assessment) was not ideal for the career that I was pursuing.
It needs to be emphasized at this point that MBTI neither measures skills nor the ability to perform in a certain job. What MBTI looks at is the natural preference on where a person directs their energy, how they take in information, how they make decisions, and how they orient their lives. Thus, knowing your type may help you decide what jobs just "come easier" for you. Again, it does not say whether you are suited for a specific job or whether you will perform in your career. But typically your life will be a lot easier if you can act at work in line with your natural preference.
I forgot about the MBTI for a decade.
Only during a mid-life re-orientation regarding my career, it came to my mind that personality assessments could be useful in my
Creating Job Search Zen - Mind, Body and Goal
Your state of mind during your job search plays a big part of your overall life satisfaction. Learn how to keep your mind and body healthy so you can put your best foot forward in your job hunt. Job searches always seem so hectic that sometimes you want to find peace of mind while in the middle of it. Of course, this is not always easy to do because you're so anxious to find the next job. A good way to find a middle ground during the process is to work on your attitude during the process while keeping your goals intact and exhibiting strong job seeking skills. It also doesn't hurt to sneak in good diet and exercise. Sounds a little strange, right? Well, it's not. Let's take a closer look at how you can create job search Zen while enhancing your chances of being hired.Get Your Mind Under Control
Not a lot is discussed about how much a good mind state matters when conducting a job search. If you believe you can't be hired, you probably won't be. Why is this true? Because your attitude is likely to be reflected in the words you type onto your resume, cover letter and job application. If you're not "feeling it," it's probably going to show. In order to combat the nervous or anxious feelings associated with a job search, it's good to get into a Zen state of mind, which means that you're spending time focusing on the present moment. Not so easy to do, of course. But challenging doesn't equal impossible.
You know that you have certain skills that qualify you for certain jobs, so create fantastic resumes and cover letters that express this to the fullest, find great jobs to apply for each day then make time in your day to not think about it at all. Your worrying does nothing but create angst, which hurts, not helps, the search process.
Treat Your Body Right
Your body may not seem like an important part of the job search process, but it is. Eating the right foods and exercising is just as important, if not more so, during your job search process because not only are you under the same stress you would find on a job, but you're not getting up and moving around like you would if you were working.
A Career Versus Making Money Online
Whether you work in an office from nine to five or whether you work from the comfort of your own home, every one has their own personal preference on which they prefer to do. Some people don't really care for making money online and some people don't want to have a boss hovering over them. It just all depends on the personal preference, and a variety of other things. Some people don't have the right mind set to work for someone else, and some people don't have the right mind set to make a successful home based business. People with a career type of mind can not be persuaded or convinced to take up making money online because these are usually the college oriented people who want to get a job in a field working at an actual career. You couldn't persuade them in a million years because while they make a lot less money, some people just need to have a boss and they need to have someone in charge of them or they would lose their minds.
People in the home based business field are some of the most ignorant goal driven people I have ever met and I mean that in a good way. When people go to a career, they're given certain guidelines and they have to come to work at certain hours in order to make any money or they'll lose that career, but when it comes to making money online, you are your own boss and you decide when you work. If any money at all is made is completely up to you because it is commission based and you don't work at an hourly rate.
The money you can achieve from working from home may be much greater than a career but it's most certainly not for anyone and everyone because ultimately what will happen is the majority of people who even attempt to make money
People in the home based business field are some of the most ignorant goal driven people I have ever met and I mean that in a good way. When people go to a career, they're given certain guidelines and they have to come to work at certain hours in order to make any money or they'll lose that career, but when it comes to making money online, you are your own boss and you decide when you work. If any money at all is made is completely up to you because it is commission based and you don't work at an hourly rate.
The money you can achieve from working from home may be much greater than a career but it's most certainly not for anyone and everyone because ultimately what will happen is the majority of people who even attempt to make money
Monday, 26 November 2012
Dads Making a Midlife Career Change
In this jobless economy, the thought of a midlife career change is on the mind of a lot of dad's nationwide and possibly worldwide. This movement is not fueled by the mental or emotional transition (midlife crisis) a man would normally experience around his 40s. It has more to do with the downsizing of companies and working skeleton workforces with accelerated work demands. A lot of dads are finding it difficult to find common ground between providing for their families financially and spending the quality time their families need. On the other hand, with the unemployment rate at 9% nationwide, many more dads are laid off and rethinking their previous career status. Dads are diving in and pursuing career choices they are passionate about, and that will not fade away if the recession deepens. Changing your job can be a little nerve rattling, but as adults approaching midlife-changing your career can be a very stressful experience on yourself and your family.
Reason's a Dad may choose a Career Change;
Usually between the ages of 40 to 50, men generally arrive at a stage in their life when they feel an emotional or mental transition better known as midlife crisis. As a man matures his values are enhanced, moral issues and purpose of life start to become clearer. A dad begins to take his family life more seriously and have sounder relationships. For a while now dads have been concerned on how to balance work and a home life. In the last couple of years the changes of our working environment in this country has affected the reasons many dads are considering career changes. And the dads that are working are finding it almost next one possible to have a sensible home life with their families.
Since 2008, our economy has been in a deep slump. We've seen a lot of companies close and a lot of companies downsize. Downsized companies are working fewer employees with higher work demands. Without adding to the workforce our families are paying the price of not having mom or dad around like they should be. The adage "you can't have your cake and eat it too" comes to mind, but I am seeing dads choosing how they want to spend the rest of their working and family life. Even dads who are unemployed and laid off are re-prioritizing their careers and their lives with the full support of their families backing them up to.
Dads making a Midlife Career Change going through a recession is a good opportunity to witness firsthand what jobs/careers are withstanding
Reason's a Dad may choose a Career Change;
Usually between the ages of 40 to 50, men generally arrive at a stage in their life when they feel an emotional or mental transition better known as midlife crisis. As a man matures his values are enhanced, moral issues and purpose of life start to become clearer. A dad begins to take his family life more seriously and have sounder relationships. For a while now dads have been concerned on how to balance work and a home life. In the last couple of years the changes of our working environment in this country has affected the reasons many dads are considering career changes. And the dads that are working are finding it almost next one possible to have a sensible home life with their families.
Since 2008, our economy has been in a deep slump. We've seen a lot of companies close and a lot of companies downsize. Downsized companies are working fewer employees with higher work demands. Without adding to the workforce our families are paying the price of not having mom or dad around like they should be. The adage "you can't have your cake and eat it too" comes to mind, but I am seeing dads choosing how they want to spend the rest of their working and family life. Even dads who are unemployed and laid off are re-prioritizing their careers and their lives with the full support of their families backing them up to.
Dads making a Midlife Career Change going through a recession is a good opportunity to witness firsthand what jobs/careers are withstanding
7 Useful Job Change Techniques - A Guide To Decision Making
Following the right techniques in changing your job can be a creative approach to decision making. While deciding for a career change can be a challenge, it is good for you to try some job change techniques in order to land a better job and avoid any regrets.
1. Set a time limit for your decision - Set a time to think over your decision. For instance, allocate at least 20 minutes each day to weigh the situation and compare the consequences of quitting your current job and shifting to a new. However, do not think when your mind is crowded with other thoughts, such as family problems and other issues.
2. Challenge your fears and prepare for the outcome - Do not be afraid to take risks. Estimate what likely could be the outcome of your decision and prepare countermeasures for potential negative outcomes.
3. Accept that change is the only constant thing on earth - It is undeniable that some people prefer to stay the same. If you like your job but is causing you a lot of troubles, both socially and financially, ask yourself what you can do to change the situation. Remember that the work industry is vast world to venture. You can have more and far better opportunities as you make some changes.
4. Create a list of your options - If you are confused with a variety of options for a career change, list them on a paper. On each of them, list all the possible outcomes if you were to choose them. You may also ask yourself how you would feel if you choose the certain job.
5. Take it from the others' perspective - At some point you can pretend to be someone else (it could be your most admired poet or author) and think about
1. Set a time limit for your decision - Set a time to think over your decision. For instance, allocate at least 20 minutes each day to weigh the situation and compare the consequences of quitting your current job and shifting to a new. However, do not think when your mind is crowded with other thoughts, such as family problems and other issues.
2. Challenge your fears and prepare for the outcome - Do not be afraid to take risks. Estimate what likely could be the outcome of your decision and prepare countermeasures for potential negative outcomes.
3. Accept that change is the only constant thing on earth - It is undeniable that some people prefer to stay the same. If you like your job but is causing you a lot of troubles, both socially and financially, ask yourself what you can do to change the situation. Remember that the work industry is vast world to venture. You can have more and far better opportunities as you make some changes.
4. Create a list of your options - If you are confused with a variety of options for a career change, list them on a paper. On each of them, list all the possible outcomes if you were to choose them. You may also ask yourself how you would feel if you choose the certain job.
5. Take it from the others' perspective - At some point you can pretend to be someone else (it could be your most admired poet or author) and think about
5 Step Process For Improving Career Decision Making
Learning how to make good decisions requires information about what kind of decision maker you are, knowledge about yourself and being familiar with all of your options. Making decisions impacts the effectiveness of our lives and influences our long-term results.
It is often best to use a systematic planned approach when making important decisions. Although it is essential to understand there is no one best model that should be applied across the board for everyone; choosing a system that allows you to gather information, think over and apply an efficient method will help create more confidence in making the "right" choices.
Some people will make decisions based on an empathetic approach such as using values, feelings and taking into consideration the impact their decisions will have on others. Other individuals will use more of an analytical or logical style such as using data, identifying the pros and cons, and viewing their situation more objectively. Keep in mind that whatever style you use in making decisions that you pick what works best for you and understand how you use it to make the right decisions.
Communication
According to the CIP model (Reardon, Lenz, Sampson & Peterson, 2005) and using the CASVE approach, the first step in making career decisions is to identify the gap. Identifying where you are and where you want to be is crucial and helps clarify the gap. When your discomfort becomes greater than the fear of change than you know you have to make a decision. It is important to identify this need and take into consideration both external demands and internal clues. For example, you may identify your gap by clarifying your event, "I need to choose whether I will take this new position or stay in my current job by next week." Your internal clues may be emotional, "I am scared about making the wrong choice." What is important is that you recognize these clues and become familiar with how you make decisions.
Analysis
Understanding yourself and your options will help clarify what it is you want. Evaluating your values, interests and skills will help shed some light in your self-analysis. Reflecting on your personal experiences, using structured exercises, assessment instruments, and other career guidance resources you may have access to, may be helpful in clarifying your values and interests.
Enhancing your occupational knowledge will help evaluate your options in your analysis. For example, gathering information on various occupations or programs of study through informational interviews, job shadowing, networking, work experience, and academic courses will give you more knowledge about the world-of-work.
Keep in mind thoughts influence your feelings and behavior and self-talk can have a positive or negative effect on your career decision making process. Remember to keep self-talk positive and ask thought provoking question throughout your journey such as "What information do I need to know about myself and my situation so that I am prepared to make a decision?"
Synthesis
Identifying the maximum number of potential options or alternatives in your career decision making will help you elaborate on this process.
It is often best to use a systematic planned approach when making important decisions. Although it is essential to understand there is no one best model that should be applied across the board for everyone; choosing a system that allows you to gather information, think over and apply an efficient method will help create more confidence in making the "right" choices.
Some people will make decisions based on an empathetic approach such as using values, feelings and taking into consideration the impact their decisions will have on others. Other individuals will use more of an analytical or logical style such as using data, identifying the pros and cons, and viewing their situation more objectively. Keep in mind that whatever style you use in making decisions that you pick what works best for you and understand how you use it to make the right decisions.
Communication
According to the CIP model (Reardon, Lenz, Sampson & Peterson, 2005) and using the CASVE approach, the first step in making career decisions is to identify the gap. Identifying where you are and where you want to be is crucial and helps clarify the gap. When your discomfort becomes greater than the fear of change than you know you have to make a decision. It is important to identify this need and take into consideration both external demands and internal clues. For example, you may identify your gap by clarifying your event, "I need to choose whether I will take this new position or stay in my current job by next week." Your internal clues may be emotional, "I am scared about making the wrong choice." What is important is that you recognize these clues and become familiar with how you make decisions.
Analysis
Understanding yourself and your options will help clarify what it is you want. Evaluating your values, interests and skills will help shed some light in your self-analysis. Reflecting on your personal experiences, using structured exercises, assessment instruments, and other career guidance resources you may have access to, may be helpful in clarifying your values and interests.
Enhancing your occupational knowledge will help evaluate your options in your analysis. For example, gathering information on various occupations or programs of study through informational interviews, job shadowing, networking, work experience, and academic courses will give you more knowledge about the world-of-work.
Keep in mind thoughts influence your feelings and behavior and self-talk can have a positive or negative effect on your career decision making process. Remember to keep self-talk positive and ask thought provoking question throughout your journey such as "What information do I need to know about myself and my situation so that I am prepared to make a decision?"
Synthesis
Identifying the maximum number of potential options or alternatives in your career decision making will help you elaborate on this process.
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