How to Start a Career Change or Re-enter the Workplace

Sarah called Robin and her very first question was, "Do you think anyone would hire me? I've never worked a day in my life. "

Sarah had never been paid, but she was quite accomplished. Sarah had organized major fundraisers, special events and large three-day conferences. She had recruited helpers, secured corporate sponsorship, planned agendas and coordinated catering for hundreds, all through her community activities. Until her career counseling session, Sarah didn't realize her skills would have value to a potential employer because she hadn't been paid for her work. That was far from true. When she sent out her new resumé outlining all the event planning she had done, employers started to call. Sarah got several interviews, and within a few weeks began a great job at a very good starting salary.

TIP: More than half of all US adults volunteer in some capacity. Volunteerism might just help launch your next career.

Nathan, a Boeing engineer, became a client saying, "I hate what I'm doing, and I want to move into a different career entirely, but I'm fearful since I make a good salary and don't want to take a major salary hit starting over somewhere else." Nathan had underestimated his transferrable skills. Many of his current skills - research skills, computer strengths, project management abilities, persuasive communication skills, creative ideas and problem solving abilities-were all portable to the next employer. Creating a new resume that emphasized his key strengths, noting his volunteer and committee work, all led to launching his new career with a significant RAISE over his old salary.

Promoting your marketable skills - paid or unpaid - is essential. So to begin launching your search for a new career you first need to do some self assessment. Begin by identifying your strengths, best skills, your interests, passions, and your values. These are the foundation that will most benefit a new employer. To identify some of these skills, review the Skills Assessment Chart below -- it's an out-take from the extensive list in Robin's DreamMaker program. It will get you thinking of your job related skills. Pay particular attention to what you do well - your strengths - since using your innate talents is the most effective way to build your career.

**** Partial sample from Robin's DreamMaker program

TIP: Maria, an HR manager for a Fortune 100 employer stated: "We value many kinds of experience, and we appreciate a person who has shown initiative through volunteer activities to obtain it. Women in particular tend to disregard life skills -- scheduling, budgeting, organizing events and managing charity work. Planning a fundraiser and having 200 people turn out is a significant achievement. It demonstrates management leadership that's definitely needed in today's workplace." Be sure you identify ALL your skills.

Next consider your passions and values. These influence and shape your career decisions as much as your skills. To identify some of your values, review the Values Assessment, below, it's an out-take of the major list in Robin's DreamMaker program and it'll get you thinking about what matters most to you now - for this next job. Values are strong motivators. Seek job options that match your most important values.

**** Partial sample from DreamMaker program

The complete Skills Assessment, Values Assessment and numerous other Assessment tools, are included in The DreamMaker program. Robin also offers a coaching package where she interprets the results for you and advises you on your decision making to jump start your career change and insure you don't undervalue yourself, or what you can do. DreamMaker Career Assessment & Plan.

NEXT STEPS:

Analyze your skills
Explore career options
Research the New Field
Investigate Salary potential
Decide which career to pursue
Create your targeted Resume
Implement a job search campaign
Uncover openings
Polish your Interviewing Skills

Final tip: Being selective is the key to insuring your skills will grow and lead to more career opportunities in the future.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.