Three Steps to a Rewarding Career

You see the saying: “Do what you love, love what you do.”【小题1】“When it comes to work, it is much easier to focus on earning a paycheck to feed, clothes and provide housing for yourself and your family than it is to examine your purpose and passion.” says Julie Jansen, an executive career coach in Stamford, Connecticut. She has come up with a three-part process to help individuals find more rewarding jobs or careers.

Step 1:【小题2】

Jansen suggests having a full understanding of personal values, interests, attitudes and skills. The point is to understand your strengths and how these lead to a meaningful career. Take note of what is important in your career and in your personal life.

【小题3】 One person might want to spend more quality time with the family, while another might want to join a particular group of people.

Step 2: Identify barriers

【小题4】 For example, age, money, time, education or lack of experience. Then, figure out how to overcome those barriers.

Step 3: Create an action plan

You must be very clear about what you need to do to improve your career goals. Think about each and every step you need to take. Divide your plan into short-term action steps.【小题5】

“By putting your short-term goals on paper, you will feel more determined to do what you have to do in order to create the meaning you are looking for in your work,” she says.

It’s very hard to write your own resume because a resume is a macro view of your life, but you live your life at the micro level. 【小题1】 Here are three ideas that guide professional resume writers and should guide you as well:

A resume is not your life story. No one cares. The only things that should be on your resume are achievements. The best way to show that you did your job well is from achievements. 【小题2】 It is an objective way to show that you impressed the people you work for. The next best way to show objective measures is to present quantified achievements.

Think about when a company announced the launch of their product. First of all, the product is not done. Second of all, it has bugs. And third, the company is probably showing photos of prototypes and the real thing will look different. 【小题4】, because a resume is a marketing document. The best marketing documents show the product in the very best light, which means using whatever most outrageous tactics possible to make you look good. As long as you are not lying, you will be fine.

The idea of a resume is to get someone to call you, talk with you on the phone, and offer you an interview. So a resume is like a first date. 【小题5】

When is it time to start thinking about a new job？Is it acceptable to switch jobs to work with a close friend？Can you leave an employer after the two-week training period is up？Should you stick with the same employer for over a year, even though you aren’t learning anything new?

As with so many things in life, these are questions only you can answer. However, there are several considerations to take before you terminate your employment.

The hiring process is costly and time-intensive, and your employer has decided that you are worth the effort. This is a big responsibility and privilege. While it doesn’t mean that you have to remain at a job for the rest of your life, you should be fair enough to give the employer at least a few months of your time. Get through the training, settle into a routine, and then decide. If you still don’t like it or something better comes up, you’ll at least know you tried.

Perhaps your best friend just started at the counter of the local gym, and it sounds like fun. Maybe you found an opening for a job you’ve been wanting for years. It could just be that you’re bored and looking for something new. No matter what it is, however, make sure you take the time to weigh the pros and cons. Working with a friend might be fun for a while—until you both want the same Saturday off to go to the lake. The job of your dreams might pay less or offer fewer hours. If you’re bored, there’s a chance that another job might provide a temporary solution but not give you whatever it is you are seeking.

You’re young, and the possibilities for your future are endless. While the teen job you have now isn’t necessarily going to map out your entire life, there’s nothing wrong with making decisions that will provide you with more opportunities later on in life. If you want to be a doctor, working at the hospital gift shop might be a better choice than flipping burgers. If you want to be a chef, the reverse is true. If your current job isn’t necessarily aligned with your future, you might want to consider switching jobs.

No matter what you decide, remember that the longer you are at a job, the better it looks on your resume. An employer who sees that you switch jobs every few months might not prefer you over a   candidate who was with his or her former employer for a year. For working teens, dedication and commitment always look good.