Getting Your Perfect Work

Dear Joan,

How can someone like me get a reasonably good paying job with limited computer skills? Even though I am going back to college, it is still hard to get a job with skills to grow. I have tried temporary agencies but I am finding them none to helpful. This depresses me more than you know.
Donna T.

Dear Donna,

Unfortunately, 'someone like me' does not really tell me anything about you. Your age, work experience, general education to date, natural talents, skills, what you like and don't like to do, or what you call 'a reasonably good paying job'.

If you are just looking for a job to make money temporarily while you go the college and develop computer or other marketable skills, waiting on tables in a mid to upper price range restaurant can be an excellent way to make good money with flexible hours. Both of my kids waited tables while they were in college and paid most of there own expenses. Of course, great tips depend largely on your cheerfulness and willingness, to learn and serve others with enthusiasm. Actually, that is true of almost any job or career!

There is really no getting around the fact that good computer skills are a must in today's world whether you are in business for yourself or working for someone else. You could sell cars, work in a factory or deliver packages part time for UPS and make a good wage without computer skills but, the real question is:

1. What do you like and not like to do?
2. What are your natural talents (gifts)?
3. What is a career or business area that interests you and is likely to give you long term personal satisfaction?

If you put time, money or energy into anything that does not satisfy or lead to fulfillment in these three areas it is unlikely that you will ever feel well paid or happy with your work.

When I work with people on career planning or career changes, I suggest the following exercise. Divide a page in half top to bottom. On top of the left side put 'Everything I have ever loved doing and done well'. On the top of the right side put the word 'Satisfiers'.

On the left side list all the activities you can think of that you have loved doing and done well. Go all the way back to grade school. Across from each activity under 'Satisfiers' state all the things about that activity that gave you satisfaction.

When you have filled a page or two take a highlighter and mark all the things that are similar or the same on the satisfier side. These are either your natural talents (gifts) or conditions that need to exist for you to feel fulfilled and satisfied in a job or career.

Take a second page and divided it in half. On the top of the left side write 'Everything I hate to do or do not do well' and on the right side at the top put 'Dissatisfies'. Make lists just as you did on the first page. Again, highlight things which are similar or the same on the dissatisfier side. Now you have a list of activities and conditions, which you want to avoid as much as possible in a career or job.

Now make a list of all the kinds of jobs, careers or industries that you think would give you the most of what you love and the least of what you don't like or do not do well. You may need to go to a career or job councilor to help you evaluate and explore as many job categories as possible. Your college placement career development department should have people who can help you with this.

It is hard to go to school and work a regular job at the same time but it is worth the effort as long as you know that you will eventually be able to do work or have a career you enjoy and which fulfills your mental, emotional, and physical needs. Good Hunting!

Build your own ideal job profile with the Ideal Job Exercise. A current version of Acrobat Reader is required, get it free at Adobe.com

Are You or a Friend Looking for a Job?

I can help you craft a resume and develop interview strategies that will make YOU stand out from the crowd!

Ruth, a financial executive, with a Masters in Accounting, a CPA, had been looking for a job for seven months. When she called, she said, “I just can’t seem to get past the gatekeepers.” I helped Ruth refocus and power up her resume. Together we created a networking strategy and 90 second personal commercial. Within 45 days Ruth had five interviews and two highly desirable job offers.

If you want to power up your resume, job search and interview skills, give me a call at 281-293-8864 or email me: joan@bolmer.com

Tools You Can Use

What Color Is Your Parachute a practical manual for job hunters,
By Richard Nelson Bolles

Resumes That Sell article by Joan Bolmer)

Resumes That Knock’Em Dead, by Martin John Yate

26 Tips for a Successful Job Interview (article by Ernest F. Oriente)

Power Interviews:Job winning tactics from Fortune 500 Recruiters,
By Neil Yeager and Lee Hough