In the summer of 2005, I realized my 23 year career in broadcast media, radio, was about to change dramatically. I could feel the winds of change blowing in my “corporate culture.”
It just felt weird. I started my personal transition process, in my head, simply by thinking about why I was feeling like it wasn’t working for me on many levels anymore, and I wanted and needed it to be working.
I had to honestly assess if there was any more mobility opportunities where I was. Then, I had to look at myself, with regard to what I really wanted to do. If I was qualified and prepared to do it, if I had chosen to leave.
I spent almost a year, going on interviews, both locally and nationally, exploring other industries and employment jobs to try to see what resonated with me. As I look back it was really a smart process and revealed a lot about me. Back then, jobs were much more plentiful, and there were a lot of them in my business. Today, I would not have those same choices and options.
How to undergo a smooth career transition
I voluntarily left in 2006 and have never looked back! Here are some of the lessons I learned about the career transition process that anyone can apply to today’s employment situation.
1. Identify what you want to do and what you are qualified to do. Look at all your “transferable skills,” all those jobs you have done that define all your skill sets.
2. Don’t rush change, trust your process. Opportunities will present themselves, but they may not be all the right or best decisions to make. Qualify the opportunities, based on your situation.
3. Be prepared and be honest when presenting yourself. You really can’t fudge the truth when creating a resume. Know what your strong assets are and lead with them. Don’t hide your liabilities, but don’t lead with them, we all have “stuff,” or we wouldn’t be human.
4. Evaluate your current skill levels. The business world has changed and what’s now required to get hired has changed. Review your personal, professional, technology and social networking proficiency. If you need to upgrade somethings, take some local courses through local chambers, schools, professional organizations, online.
5. Personal branding and your image sets you apart. Personality, mindset, energy, attitude, and image are all important today in order to stand out and get noticed. Again, evaluate where you are with regard to your personal brand, online and offline networking, sales, communication skills and being a part of your community. Upgrade, improve, tweak, grow whenever and wherever you can.
Don’t wait until you are out of work or laid off. If we have learned one huge lesson from the current employment scenario, it’s pay attention to and keep changing with change.
Career transition is happening all the time, even when you are working and employed. Keep moving and changing. Keep adding value for what you do.
I found this great post, “Get Ready to Become a Changemaker” by Bill Drayton and Valerie Budinich.
“We are on the cusp of a fundamental change — a worldwide change in the skills everyone needs to succeed, in the nature of organizations, and in how businesses must be led.”
How can you be a change-maker for yourself?
Author:
Deborah Shane is an author, media host, speaker, writer and branding strategist. She hosts her Toolbox Blog and is in her third year of hosting a weekly business radio show called Deborah Shane’s Metropolis that has over 32K downloads! She is a regular contributor to several national business, career and marketing blogs and websites. Her new book Career Transition-make the shift is available on Amazon.com and all major book sellers. Deborah delivers smart, no-nonsense ideas and solutions, which make her a popular go-to resource for clients, national media and influential blogs. Visit her at www.deborahshane.com.
