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Finding The Right Job Role To Fit Your Characteristics And Skills

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article | Finding The Right Job Role To Fit Your Characteristics And Skills
 
Many people are unhappy with their careers. The problem is that we all tend to focus on the salary that comes with a particular job role. Obviously, that’s important, but it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a job you hate. It’s possible to have the best of both worlds. Okay, not everybody can become the President, but there are other important political careers out there. The point is that you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You should pursue a career that caters to who you are as a person. If you’re trying to find the right job role to fit your characteristics and skills, then here are some financially rewarding industries that might have career options which suit your personality and interests.

Accounting

For people with logical minds, the world of accounting might sound quite enticing. There’s no denying that many of the job roles in this line of work are financially rewarding, but what do the jobs themselves entail? Well, it all depends on the employer. Pretty much every type of business in the world will employ accountants because all businesses need professionals to help them manage their money. If you’ve always been financially minded and numerically gifted, then this is probably the career for you.

Of course, if you want to do something that has an impact on the world, then accounting could still be the right profession for you. Obviously, it benefits the business in question, but certain kinds of accountants can have a wider impact on the world too. You could look into forensic accounting, for instance. This would involve crunching data to help with legal cases, so you’d have a positive impact on the world in that sense. And you should do some research if you’re wondering what to expect from an accounting career salary. They’re all very financially stable.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry is one that appeals to those who want to help other people. There are so many different job roles available to you in this line of work. You just need to choose your profession based on your goals. Obviously, you’ll need to accept that most job roles in this industry require a few years of training before you can become qualified to work in a particular field. That’s why you should give it some thought. Maybe you care about mental health; you could look into therapy-based roles. Or maybe you really care about animals; you could become a qualified veterinarian. This industry might be perfect for you.

Education

A career in teaching could be another good route for you if you want to change people’s lives. For those with caring personalities, this is the perfect industry. You’ll be helping to shape the minds of young people. You’ll be guiding them so that they can find their own dream jobs. The great thing about teaching is that there are so many different routes you could take. It suits people of all academic backgrounds because you have a variety of subjects from which you can pick your particular topic of expertise. Obviously, it’ll take a few years of training to get the necessary qualifications, but it’ll be worth it for the joy of doing something you love.

Job Seekers Should Consider What Their Online, In-Person and On-Paper Personas Say about Them

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals ArticleA potential employer takes just a moment or two to size up a potential candidate, leaving job seekers little room for error when trying to make a positive first impression. Whether presenting themselves online, in-person, or on paper, job seekers relay a lot of information to a potential employer in the first few minutes. Employers quickly assess confidence, energy level and professionalism – all key traits that tell the employer what a candidate might bring to the workplace. As a result, it’s very important to present yourself in the best possible light.

Job seekers need to focus on their accomplishments and fit for the role first and foremost, which can make them feel pressured. But, there ARE steps they can take to ensure another interview or – better – a job offer.

Here are suggestions for making the best first impression:

  • Long resumes are a turn-off. It’s perfectly acceptable for executives to have a resume that’s as much as three pages long, but longer than that is overkill and employees looking for more junior positions should shorten their resumes even further. There is no reason to offer every detail in your resume.
  • Make sure the resume is up to date and written to highlight your relevant skills and experience that fit your current search.. Most people merely update their old resume. It’s important to write a new resume from scratch with each new job search, because typically you are interviewing at more senior levels. For example, five years ago you might have written about your individual contributions to a team; today you need to emphasize your management experience and what you have done to lead the team.
  • Resume style matters. Don’t overlook how the resume is organized and presented visually with regard to fonts and layout.
  • Make sure your online presence puts you in the best possible light. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated at all times. Clean up your Facebook page of anything that might raise an eyebrow to recruiters or an employer.
  • Dress for your environment. Dress for an interview in accordance with the employer’s office dress code, whenever possible. If it’s a suit-and-tie environment, dress the part. If it’s business casual, then it’s perfectly acceptable to forgo the jacket. There is a risk in overdressing; you need to demonstrate that you understand and fit the workplace culture.. When in doubt, ask the recruiter how you should dress for the interview.
  • Be aware of your speech patterns. Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly, too quietly or too loudly. Employers will consider this when they envision having to speak with you or be present in meetings with you daily.
  • Other physical cues. Always use a firm handshake and make eye contact with the interviewer. Sit up straight in your chair. Those rules have and will always apply.
  • Be mindful of your energy level. People gravitate to others with a good energy level because they look forward to working alongside them every day. Be enthusiastic but not over the top.
  • Don’t patronize a younger interviewer. Just because someone is younger or less experienced than you are does not mean they lack the authority to put a halt to your interview process. Further, it is good form to show anyone that interviews you the due respect they deserve.
  • Make them notice your accomplishments. Minimize distractions such as excessive jewelry or makeup and pull back very long hair.
  • Keep your answers to the point. Avoid going into too much unnecessary detail in your answers, but always offer to provide additional detail to your interviewer if they are interested in knowing more.
  • Don’t dress like you don’t need the job. Always dress like you achieved career success but leave your fur coats and very expensive jewelry at home. You never want to look like you don’t need the job.

The rules about only having a few moments to make the right impression still apply. Today, though, it’s about making sure you put your best foot forward in multiple media, including the Internet. But promoting yourself through multiple channels should be the catalyst to prompt a prospective employer to take the next step.

About the Author

Kathy HarrisKathy Harris is Managing Partner of New York City-based Harris Allied, an executive search firm specializing in Technology, UX/UI Design and Quant Analyst placement services in the Financial Services, Professional Services, Consumer Products, Digital Media and Tech Industries For more information, visit www.harrisallied.com. Contact Kathy Harris at [email protected].