“The best way to predict your future is to create it” — A. Lincoln Here we go again…It’s that time of year when you are told you have to make a decision, coming at you with another quote, by a famous U.S. president no less, telling you that you are in charge of creating your future. Your Life Your Responsibility"Your life is your responsibility", says career expert Dr Ken Keis.
Do Not WorryChoosing one university/college program is a big decision and it is normal to think that you do not have a clue. Most young people don’t. While some of your friends may seem to have their whole life planned out, there are many who do not have a plan and will go where opportunities push them. Do NOT spend too much time worried about it. Take a deep breath and look around you. Engage In New Activities.More importantly, do NOT shy away from new experiences. Career experts agree that it’s important to engage in intentional exploratory actions to better understand future possibilities. For example, a neighbor asks you to help with painting the fence, a friend suggests you join them in volunteering for an event and so on…if the task is half appealing to you then give it a try. Not For YouGranted, the task itself might not turn out to be an interest or a skill you detest. Engaging in new activities gives your clarity. Here's an example: “I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but then I went on that job shadow and was like ‘uh-oh.’ See, I don’t want to sit in a cubicle all day” (Petrillo). However, it is not necessarily just what you are doing that will help you get to know what you like to do or to study. It is also the conversations you have or the people you meet. The neighbor might be the mentor with whom you could share your interests and the event organizer might be the role model for your future career. Time Is Of The EssenceDo NOT expect to find your number one choice within a week. Give yourself a bit more time. Decisions like choosing a university program are complex and happen over time. Reflect, Reflect And ReflectWhat is important is that you find the time to reflect on the various activities you have explored. You have the time to reflect. You can, for example, reflect while doing everyday activities such as, when brushing your teeth. Ask yourself:
Here is the common thread; important choices in life such as choosing a university, whom to marry and your next career move take some reflection time for them to be successful. Unclog Your WorriesDo NOT overwhelm yourself with too many program/university choices. Deep down inside, you know you hated your time during — add course name here — class. Be honest with yourself and stay away from programs that require too many courses of — add course name here — in that particular subject. Guess what may happen after you complete your research, you may find yourself going back to — add course name here — and questioning why you eliminated it. This is just fine because at that point you will have less choices to worry about. BreatheIn short, the famous adage, “don’t worry, be happy” applies here.
Take a deep breath, explore, experiment and most importantly reflect! You will soon find yourself creating your future. I am Hoda Kilani, your Certified Professional Career Coach. I provide you with the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way.
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Have you heard? “Resumes are dead” (Richie Norton). Recruiters are examining your LinkedIn Profile. Hiring managers are checking your Facebook page. Employers are scrutinizing your Instagram. It is time to add your resume to these profiles! How to design a resume for the times of social media? Let us go through resume types 101. Did you know there are many types of resumes? I have simplified them into three categories. Traditional A traditional resume is typically chosen to follow the job application guidelines. It is the most commonly used type and is meant to be ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly; the software system commonly used to narrow down applicants:
PurposefulIf you want to focus on a specific job market, a purposeful resume is required:
InnovativeWriting innovative resumes is an art, so you should be willing to spend time to craft them well. For those with creative career paths, the non-traditional resume allows you to show your artistic style. For others, innovative resumes will help you stand out.
While I do not recommend their use for traditional job application methods since they are non-ATS compliant, I do endorse creativity when networking and for social media profiles. In this virtual age, innovative resumes are powerful job seeking tools if crafted well. Think of yourself as a brand. Use innovative resumes to market your brand and to tantalize readers into wanting to learn more:
Resumes are not dead; they are an art form that is transforming and adapting to the social media arena! Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving – A. Einstein The pandemic of 2019 quickly changed your life in 2020. Who knew?
We are now in 2023. The pandemic is clearly not over and the pandemic effects of social distancing and wearing a mask continue to be unmistakably visible everywhere you go affecting the mental health of many. Yet, despite of all the above, you find yourself looking for a job at a time when the fourth industrial revolution aka Industry 4.0 or 4IR is moving full speed ahead. What Can You Do"What can you do? In the words of the famous Einstein…You just have to “keep moving”. Whatever transitional situation you are in, your focus should be on your mental health. These are tough times and you must strive to remain positive. If you are not sure how to stay motivated, read my blog, “Stressed? Go on! Start with the first big inhale”. Readers tell me it helps. Moving forward with a positive mindset is the most common and paramount advice. As long as you are moving, no matter how slow, you will not fall into the “I am feeling stuck” mode. Think of it as staying productively busy! This positive mental state of being constructively engaged in your job search will help you reach your goal of finding a job. Keep MovingHere are some suggestions for you to reflect on and be creatively occupied in search of employment:
Next...Reflect On Your AnswersThe above questions are meant to increase your personal awareness of who you are and what you enjoy doing. Can you think of other questions that are relevant to your particular situation? Write them down and explore the answers. Writing your responses and reflecting on them will clarify the type of job you are seeking. They lead you to customize your resume and produce creative cover letters that describe who you truly are. They provide the key to your interview preparation. More importantly, they build self-awareness skills so that you can move confidently knowing who you are and what you are pursuing. Now Is A Good TimeNOW is the time to move. Do not wait too long!
Your opportunity is waiting for you. All you have to do is reach out and grab it promptly. |
HodaI am Hoda! You Education and Career Coach. I can help you transform the way you craft your career. ContactInvest 1 hour in your success. Book a free consultation to learn how Hoda helps you succeed.
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