| We all know finding work in today's marketplace isn't | | | | Instead of spending time trying to improve upon your |
| easy. However, if you're considering a job change or | | | | perceived weaknesses why not flip it around! What |
| are just starting your mental health career you might | | | | about taking time to really understand your strengths |
| want to take a look at the following principles. They | | | | and then build a career development plan that plays to |
| can help you build a highly effective job search | | | | those first and forefmost? |
| campaign. | | | | You have more strengths than you may believe and |
| 1) Think Different | | | | those skills and competencies can be used to find |
| There are lots of obstacles and challenges no matter | | | | opportunities in a wide variety of areas. Your |
| what your profession. And each industry brings its own | | | | therapeutic skills offer a lot of value that cross over |
| unique set of circumstances. But perhaps the biggest | | | | into a variety of professional services (e.g., industrial |
| roadblock for many in our field is when a person | | | | organization psychology, business consulting, coaching, |
| cannot see beyond the more traditional opportunities | | | | human resources, market research). |
| available in the marketplace. I was guilty of this for | | | | Are you new to the field with limited experience? This |
| years. I looked where the obvious paths were - private | | | | isn't as big of a problem as you believe it to be. When |
| practice, state metal health systems, schools. Need I | | | | you apply for a job, focus on specific competencies |
| say more? | | | | that are strengths for you. Identify those attributes you |
| "Safe is the New Risky." A year ago I heard this | | | | believe will be valued by the hiring manager and |
| saying and loved it. To me it says, "Maybe the obvious | | | | emphasize those. I've seen many inexperienced people |
| career path isn't where I should be looking?" or "Maybe | | | | win out over other more qualified candidates simply |
| the traditional job search process I've done for years | | | | because they did a good job showing how their |
| isn't working as well as it used to?" | | | | analytical skills, creativity or adaptability from one work |
| Think about it. Less than 25% of job opportunities are | | | | setting could be positively transferred to the manager's |
| advertised in the Want Ads and this includes | | | | work setting. |
| Careerbuilder and the like. Even worse, by the time | | | | 4) Think End Of Time Not End Of Month |
| they're posted they're already old opportunities that | | | | The fourth principle is a classic sales mantra and it has |
| have gone through the internal wires and networks. | | | | great utility when conducting a job search. In the world |
| Approach your job search in a different way. Look in | | | | of professional sales it's easy to focus your time and |
| places you may not have dared explore in the past. | | | | energy on the end of the month when you have |
| Don't let the field define you and you'll have a better | | | | targets to hit and commissions to earn. This approach |
| chance of expanding your choices and opportunities. | | | | is enticing but the better play is to build systems and |
| 2) It's Not About You! | | | | networks for the long haul. |
| When most of us begin looking for new employment, | | | | The message is simple. If you're in graduate school |
| we think about our own interests, needs, and wants | | | | please don't spend all your time with books and |
| first and foremost. And taking this frame of reference | | | | homework! Work on building your network. If you're a |
| is a necessary and important part of any job search | | | | seasoned professional looking for a change then work |
| process. However, you must be careful not to forget | | | | towards achieving a balance between short term |
| the most important people in this process - the hiring | | | | tasks (e.g., resume writing, applying to job ads) and long |
| organization and its managers. | | | | term growth. |
| The overarching reality here is that the job search | | | | Venture out into mental health circles, write online |
| process is NOT about you. Perhaps a better way to | | | | articles, meet new people who are doing interesting |
| think of this is in terms of the hiring process versus the | | | | work, build strong working relationships and get noticed. |
| overall job search process. If you're to succeed at | | | | Those who do this effectively will inevitably create an |
| earning opportunities, you must focus on the needs | | | | environment where work opportunities begin to |
| and wants of the person who is doing the hiring. This | | | | present themselves versus having to actively seek |
| represents a rather significant paradigm shift for many | | | | them out. |
| job seekers, and it's a shift that will produce great | | | | There are a number of long term career development |
| results for you. | | | | techniques (ex. Informational Interviewing) you can |
| If you're able to clarify how you may be of value and | | | | adopt and I suggest using them whether you're |
| how you can help solve a problem or fill a need, then | | | | presently searching for work or not! |
| you significantly improve your chances. | | | | There are opportunities out there for you. Try some of |
| 3) Play To Your Strengths | | | | these approaches out and see if they work for you! |