How many times have you switched jobs in your life? On average, someone will switch jobs ten or more times in their lifetime! Isn't that incredible!!! Are you one of these job jumpers, if so you have probably wanted to transition between career fields, but may have thought you couldn't because of a lack of experience? I was having this conversation today with a German women who volunteers at the nonprofit I work at, she was explaining how difficult it can be to get a job in Germany if you haven't apprenticed in that particular field. She is an awesome volunteer, friendly, conscientious, smart & would be an asset to any business, yet she might not even get a second look. Well, I've been there, my entire life I wanted to be a chef & when it was time to go off to college that is what I did! I loved working as a Pastry Chef in the hospitality world for 15 years, but there came a time after moving to a small rural town in New Mexico that I wasn't happy with my limited options in that field, and decided to change careers. The job I wanted was in the healthcare field doing marketing, education and patient evaluations for a new inpatient rehab unit. After helping my husband recover from a stroke, I felt like this job was meant for me. But why in the world would anyone even consider a Pastry Chef for that job? One look at my resume & it would have gone straight in the trash; I had no experience in healthcare! However, . . . . I knew I was capable of learning the skills I needed and my excitement, enthusiasm & willingness to learn were valuable. I also knew many of my leadership and business skills were transferable, so how could I convey all of that? I needed to stand out from the crowd; I needed to grab their attention long enough for them to possibly consider me. Along with a modified resume to highlight my skills rather than jobs, I made a short and quirky PowerPoint illustrating why a Pastry Chef was the perfect candidate for their job. I got the it!!! It was the uniqueness of my presentation, desire for the job and & willingness to learn that sealed the deal. What are you willing to do to get that job Now! How will you stand out from the crowd? "Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost Years ago I wanted a job with a food styling company in CA but I was in RI, I couldn't get out there to interview so I made video introduction, an old school VHS video, to send along with my resume. Now, I didn't get the job, but about 12 years later I was at a conference in Las Vegas and one of the presenters was the owner of that company I had sent the video to. I chatted with her after her presentation and she remembered the video and me! Be bold, be different, and go out on a limb for what you want. Be confident in yourself & your abilities. Businesses would much rather have a positive, hardworking ray of sunshine willing to learn, than someone with all the skills and a rotten disposition. Get out there & get that job, new career or promotion of your dreams, you deserve it!
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AuthorMichelle loves helping people to be their best each an everyday, lets Thrive! Archives
November 2017
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