ShareThisDear Mr. Walberg:I am a high school counselor with a Master's degree in Counseling and Psychology. I'm a licensed professional counselor and a licensed school counselor. I have extensive training and practice in conflict mediation, team building, therapeutic intervention, and family counseling. I would really like to change directions and work in the business world. My problem is where do I start, and how do I find jobs in the corporate world for which I would be highly marketable? Any advice you could give would be appreciated. - E-mail from W.L. in Washington StateDear W.L.:Although I do not offer career counseling, I will suggest some steps to take, and one of them could involve seeking advice from a certified career specialist.In cases like yours, almost always first and foremost are research, research, and then a little more research.Use the Internet and any other source you can find, including the research librarian in your local public library main branch. There are many publications available that give insight into real jobs in real industries that require the skills, knowledge and experience you have. When you have a little better idea of specific jobs that may interest you, you can begin targeting existing companies in your area, and identifying real managers, department heads, and HR professionals within those companies.Then, comes requests for "information interviews" with the people you've found, asking for a few minutes of their time to help you get direction and guidance for your search. This step offers you another valuable tool - networking.After you have rehearsed a short commercial about yourself and your goals that will be easily understood by anyone in any career field, start networking with everyone you know and everyone you meet on a daily basis. Approach networking socially and professionally using your commercial to spread your word. Be a detective with selling skills. First get information through research. Then, develop a marketing plan, network, and sell your strengths, skills, and experience. You are the product or service and you must make the sale to move the product from where it is now to where you want it to be. Think positive, accept direction and advice, make changes when necessary, and sell yourself your future.Marvin Walberg is a job search coach. Contact him at mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net, marvinwalberg.blogspot.com, or PO Box 43056, Birmingham, AL 35243.
How to change careers
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 13:17
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