SETTLING IS EASY!

The average person changes jobs ten to fifteen times within their career. For some, the number is much higher. When seeking employment and looking for a place that you can call home for good there are a few things you want to consider.

When applying for a position ask yourself a few questions and answer honestly. For example, "Am I applying for this job because I'm actually interested or because I just need a job in the meantime?" When applying for work start with the jobs you are highly interested in first. Many tend to blow their chances with top picks because they are not putting in their best efforts from start. Have you taken advantage of any recent training? Worked on any special projects? Do you volunteer your time? Usually, top employers are looking for people who invest in themselves beforehand because they know they will get the same in return as an employer.

Be authentic when presenting yourself. Ask yourself, "Do the skills and qualities I'm showcasing reflect me? Am I'm making myself seem more important than I really am? or Am I downplaying myself because I don't want to brag?" The issue is the manager may not be able to read through you and you're hired. Now what? What eventually happens is you're not able to deliver and now you’re exposed OR you become bored because you downplayed your skills and now looking for a way out. Why waste the time and put yourself in that situation? You could have used that time to work on the skills you portrayed you had or been applying for roles you see yourself in long-term.

Lastly, apply yourself and take charge of your career and put yourself in the driver's seat. You do this by taking advantage or creating as many opportunities as possible for yourself. For example, go back to school and get a degree, if you have one already go for your masters or doctorate. If school is not for you look into online training and go for certifications that relate specifically to your career field. Also, expand your mind by reading. Believe it or not but you can advance in your career and get the tools you need by reading many books. Today's job market is competitive and removing yourself from the passenger to the driver's seat will attract employers to you and give you the option to choose vs. settling.

“Be Positive, Patient and Persistent!"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamelah Henry specializes in producing "All-Star" employees for the workplace. She is a product of a job training program from early in her career. She used the skillsets that she learned and was immediately recognized by top employers. After a few short years in the workforce, she was promoted to a management position. She spent the last 17 years of her career working as a manager, trainer, recruiter, and entrepreneur specializing in hiring, training, coaching and developing both existing and new hire employees to bring their best to the workplace. She is a SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Certified Professional, earned a B.S. in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University and a member of the Delta Epsilon Rho Honor Society. She is also a current member of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and working towards a certification as a National Resume Writer. In her spare time, she likes giving back to her community!