My mission is to help you achieve confidence and success in your career.  As an experienced Career Practitioner I spend most of my days having conversations with people who have so many thoughts circling in their heads.  They feel undervalued by their employers or have simply lost that loving feeling towards their work and believe it’s time to consider a different career path.  In other cases they want to escape a job they hate, or they have a toxic workplace culture and they worry that this will stop them from securing future job opportunities in other organisations.

The problem with feeling this way is that it’s often hard to ‘see straight’.  Without my guidance I have seen many people resign from their jobs in frustration, as a way to protect or maintain their sanity, or apply for the wrong types of jobs.  In both cases, this action is taken because they mistakenly think leaving is their only way to make a change.

But this is not you!

You are more methodical and understand that change takes time and you need to carefully research and consider your options before leaving gainful employment.

You know not to apply for roles that won’t serve you well in the medium to longer term.

You know you need to mix things up and make a change but you’re not sure where to start.

If I am describing you, I’m so glad you found me! If I’m not describing you, but you’d like to change, you’re welcome to read on too.

Right & Wrong Reasons for Changing Careers

Making the decision to change careers is not for the faint hearted.  A better way to describe a career change is a ‘career transition’ or even a ‘career transformation’.  It takes time and a lot of hard work, which is worth it if you carefully consider your reasons for change and the steps you need to take.

The good news is that there’s no right or wrong reason for wanting to make a change in career direction.  Some say change is better than a holiday, but when it comes to changing careers there is a lot more involved than booking a trip and getting travel insurance.

Some people are not happy in their current career and do not see themselves settled in that industry for at least 5 years.

Some people want to change careers because they are not satisfied with the income generated by their current career.

Some people change careers because they’re bored of the routine day-to-day work in their current profession.

Some people are seeking a work life balance lifestyle and their current role does not allow for this.

What’s important is that you’ve acknowledged that you may need to make some sort of change and you’re willing to reflect on whether changing careers is for you.

The decision to change your career is not an easy one. There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration before you make the leap. It’s important to do your research and prepare yourself for any potential obstacles that you might face.

The more you know about the factors that will impact your career change, the more prepared you will be to handle them.  You know the saying – fail to plan, plan to fail.

Create the right environment as you answer these questions

It is so important for you to acknowledge that unsettled feeling you have about your current role, desire for change and prospective job opportunities.  You need to do the necessary reflection and consider your answers to these questions before embarking on a career change.

By answering these questions you will be better equipped to figure out whether a career change is for you or not.

Let’s get ready to get started.

I’d like you to get a piece of paper, or even a journal, your favourite pen and sit in a quiet and private spot where you will not be interrupted.  You may even like to pour yourself a refreshing glass of water or a comforting cup of your favourite tea.

Take a few deep breaths to acknowledge and honour this time with yourself and then write each of these questions (and your answers) on the paper or in the journal.

Let your words flow freely.

If you do not like writing, you may prefer to say this out aloud.  Ask yourself the question out aloud and then share your answer out aloud. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s only you who’s listening.

The beauty of taking the time to do this is that what you write or say may surprise you!

And that’s the point of this exercise.

When you dig deep and spend this sacred time with yourself, you are allowing yourself to really consider if career change is the right thing for you.

15 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Consider a Career change

Let’s begin…

1. Why am I considering a career change?
2. What do I want in my next role?
3. What are the specific career goals I would like to achieve?
4. What skillsets can be put to better use elsewhere?
5. Would I really be happier somewhere else?
6. Why is now the right time to make a change?
7. What other changes should I be considering as well, or instead?
8. What emotions am I feeling about my desire for change?*
9. How are these emotions helping or hindering me?
10. How can I use previous experiences with managing change to help me now?
11. What might prevent me from moving forward with my plan?
12. What steps can I take to prepare for the transition?
13. What resources do I need to make the change?
14. Who else could help me as I explore this?
15. How badly do I want to make this change?

Your answers to these questions will help you decide whether a career change is for you. Once you’ve answered these questions, sit quietly and take some deep breaths.  While there’s no harm in making a list of your actions as you settle on your decision, do let this exercise settle within you over the next few days before taking any drastic action.

Once you are clear that a career change is for you, make a plan, get your resources updated and start your new journey.  And if you need any help along the way, please ask!

*If you’re having trouble naming your emotions, please refer to this List of Core Emotions, thanks to Brené Brown.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post The Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Consider a Career Change appeared first on Letz Create.

Do not fret. I am here to support your job search journey and wrote today’s article with you in mind, because it’s so important for you to stay focused when you’re looking for a job. As a job seeker, you need to maintain your confidence whilst going through the tough reality of rejections, very limited, if any, feedback and feeling stuck about what to do next.

Adapting the PERMA Model to Your Job Search Journey

So let’s start with a helpful acronym based on the PERMA model. This helps you consider the key things to focus on to keep mentally strong. I’ll then talk you through what each of these mean, and provide some easy steps to follow so you can tackle this season of your life.

P ositive emotions

E ngagement

R elationships

M eaning

A ccomplishments

Positive Emotions

If you focus on the negative, then this is what will consume you. And that’s not helpful when you’re in active job search (or in life generally!). Instead, it’s essential to focus on what is going right and what you are grateful for. It’s also helpful to visualise where you’d like to be heading and what you are hopeful about. The aim is to get those endorphins going by calling up your positive emotions.

Recall a recent life event that gave you joy. Spend time really thinking about it and remembering all of the details. What could you hear, who was there, what did everything look like? Close your eyes as you do this and allow yourself to smile and dwell on how you felt in this moment.

When you’re feeling the warm and fuzzier from this exercise, write down some positive mantras that you can say to yourself.  These will be helpful to say over and over to yourself when you are preparing your resume for a job application or trying to remember to breathe before your next phone or video interview.

Here are some examples of positive mantras:

• I am professional.
• I am an amazing team member.
• I am an asset to this organisation.
• I am just what this department needs right now.

Engagement

When you are in active job search you can become consumed by the job hunt. I understand that you’re keen to get a new role, but all work and no play is not good for you.  You need to create structure in your day with rituals that will help you call up the positive emotions mentioned above.

Here’s some of the ways you can do this:

• Write in a journal each day or week and consider what you are grateful for.
• Spend time each each day in nature. Appreciate the smells, the sounds and the beauty that is all around you, if you’re looking.
• Learn to meditate. Insight Timer is a wonderful (and free) App that gives you access to guided meditations from practitioners around the world.

I also encourage you to participate in activities that you love.  Make a list of the small rituals in your day that bring you joy and write them on a post-it note. Put the post-it note somewhere you can see often. Maybe you like to listen to classical music, or you enjoy a good chat with a friend, drinking tea, reading, listening to a podcast or baking.  Make the list and do at least one of these each day.

Also consider what you do well and make sure you spend time doing this on a regular basis.  This could be playing a certain sport, playing a musical instrument or applying your valued skills by helping those around you.

Relationships

It’s easy to disconnect from others in this increasingly digital world where so many people are spending time on their devices. I encourage you to consider how you can be building better relationships with the people around you a well as exploring building some new relationships.

Now is a good time to do activities with others that will allow you to further connect.

• Join a group around a hobby you are passionate about. Meet Ups offer a wide variety of options people with similar interests to meet up (online and in real life) and discuss these interests.
• Check out the volunteer options via SEEK Volunteer. This is also a great way to develop new skills and explore industries and organisations you’re interested in. Giving back also helps encourage those positive emotions.
• Reach out to people that can help you with the job/industry you are interested in. Find out if these industries have a peak body that runs networking events. Again, do some online research.
• Create new connections online via LinkedIn.

Meaning

Another important way to stay mentally strong is to have a purpose beyond your job search.  Create a bigger vision for yourself, and your life. Understand what is really important to you and allow that to motivate you. Perhaps it’s your family, your friends or a personal passion. It may even be your fur baby!

I believe we should all have a passion project.  These are the things we do just because we enjoy them. For some people it’s photography or learning a new language. Consider something you’ve always wanted to learn and spend some time each day or week developing this skill.

Good habits such as exercise and healthy eating should not be overlooked when you explore what is important in your life right now. Staying active and eating well means ensuring physical activities like a daily walk, your meal planning and weekly food shop are a priority in your regular schedule.  Doing this requires your attention and is a great way to add more meaning to your life by putting yourself and your own health first.

If you’re keen to work on your professional skills, LinkedIn Learning can be accessed for free via most local library memberships and offers a wide range of professional development. You can also investigate the Google Digital Garage for digital skills. Hubspot is also a great resource for a variety of sales and marketing skills. Do some googling and see what you can find.

Accomplishments

Make a list of what you have achieved in the past, reflect on these accomplishments and take a moment to pat yourself on the back.  Think about what you have achieved from a professional and personal perspective. If you find it hard to do this, ask the people around you to help. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they consider some of your accomplishments to be.

Keep this list handy and when you are feeling a little deflated, use this list as a reminder of your past achievements to keep your momentum going.  This exercise will also help remind you that you’ve achieved much in the past and you will achieve more in the future.

Stay Strong

Being in active job search is a chapter of your life that requires you to be mentally strong. While it’s essential to have a support crew around you, including a loving partner and a trusted mentor or career and job search coach like me, it’s also just as important for you to be there for yourself.

It is my hope that these suggestions for how to stay mentally strong will provide you with a greater sense of purpose as you continue on your adventure to find your next job.  Remember that all of your story is yet to unfold.  You are capable of great things and you will be an invaluable team member at your next job.  If you believe this, you will give hiring managers and recruiters the confidence to believe in you too!

If you are in active job search or have a family member, friend or colleague who needs some extra support in their job search, I can help.  I partner with men and women to provide clarity and guidance on achieving a more satisfying career. I will support you until you get a job and can review your CV, prepare you for interviewing and help you navigate the open & hidden market to find your ideal job.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Stay Mentally Strong When You are Looking for a Job appeared first on Letz Create.

You were once filled with enthusiasm, but your confidence is starting to erode. It’s been a few years since you’ve been in active job search like this, and the rules of engagement seem to have changed!

When you are actively looking for a new job, it can be really hard work and feel like an uphill battle. You’ve set up job alerts on the major job sites, and the overwhelming task of dealing with recruiters and hiring managers who may or may not call you back to provide feedback or an update on the status of your application.

You’re also learning how to best navigate the online application process, sound cheerful, professional and approachable during phone interviews and you’re doing your best to keep the dog and children quiet during video interviews.

And we haven’t even mentioned the emotional toll of the job search battle and how you’re feeling about the inevitable rejection that naturally comes with applying for jobs in a competitive employment market.

So let’s start with this…

• Are you okay?
• Are you speaking kindly to yourself?
• Do you have a great support crew helping you stay positive?

The good news is that you are not alone and I am here to help. I work with professionals who are in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are in active job search and starting to wonder why they are not having the success they deserve when applying for roles they know they could do.

When I reflect on all of the clients I’ve worked with, what makes them successful is that they’re confident, they sell themselves and they have put all of the right tools together. They do the hard work and are prepared.

“But I feel like you just described me Marina!” I hear you say. I hope that’s true, and today’s article is your opportunity to check if there are any gaps in how you’re tackling your job search so you can win the job search battle. I’ll cover what I recommend you need to do to be successful in active job search and you can check and address any gaps in your battle plan.

The 3 Ingredients for Successful Job Search

When I work with clients in active job search, there is a certain element of relief when I explain to new clients that job search success is actually a very simple formula. It looks like this:

When you get your resume right, write exceptional cover letters and update your LinkedIn profile you are giving yourself the best chance of success. This is because you are prepared for the job search battle and this preparation gives you confidence, which will give you greater success in interviews. I’m not saying winning the job search battle is easy, I’m saying it takes a lot of hard work and preparation. And you can do it!

Let’s start with ingredient number one, your resume.

Ingredient Number One: Your Resume

Most people now understand that the Australian job market is highly competitive and that recruiters and hiring managers are spoilt for choice. Here is my comprehensive list of ‘must do’ items to set you up for success when writing your resume.

• You must go to battle with a well prepared master resume that you then adapt for each role you apply for. Expect to develop many versions of this resume when you are in active job search applying for multiple roles.
• Consider your audience when writing your resume and use the wording they use in the job advertisement to describe what they are looking for in a successful candidate.
• Your resume should be 2-4 pages and must showcase all the relevant information.
• A biography is important because it can grasp the reader immediately.
• As a general guide, your professional summary should be no longer than 3-4 sentences and include years of service & industry; synopsis of types of responsibilities pertaining to the job; highlight key attributes
• Highlight achievements wherever possible, include responsibilities written with metrics, provide the scope of the role (geographic, client/ industry type, no. direct reports, etc), include the improvements / contributions / achievements in each role, highlight what is pertinent and adapt the job titles if they are not well understood industry terms
• As a general rule, I recommend you list the following categories in your resume: Name and contact details; Bio / Professional Summary; Competencies relevant to role / job application; Professional experience summary relevant to role / job application; Career timeline and Education.
• The most common file format is MS Word. You may also be asked to submit your cover letter and resume in PDF format.

And now let’s look at your next vital ingredient, your killer cover letter.

Ingredient Number Two: Your Cover Letter

Every single role you apply for must have a cover letter tailored to that role, with the letter to a person rather than just the general Sir/Madam. This means you need to take the time to research the role and company, or the recruiter who may be representing the company, and do your best to find the name of the key point of contact who will be reviewing the job applications.

Key information to include when you set out your cover letter is:

• Your address and contact details usually on the right side at the top
• The employer’s (or recruiter’s) name and address usually on the left side
• The date
• Dear (Insert Name)
• Personalised and relevant information
• Address all key selection criteria in a table
• Mention resume and sign off.

Make sure your cover letter is highlighting the right information so that a potential employer gives you the big tick for the interview.  I suggest you put yourself in the hiring manager’s seat. Make your cover letter easy to read and respond specifically to the requirements of the role, in summary form.

Address all Key Selection Criteria ‘head on’ in a table that highlights how your experience, educations and skills meets the requirements for the role. With this approach you actively demonstrate that you understand what they are looking for and how you meet the criteria. It is tailored, to the point and easy for the prospective employer to put you in the YES pile.

Then mention that your resume is attached and finish with a call-to-action such as requesting an interview or asking to meet before signing off politely.

Ingredient Number Three: Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is not your resume.  What you are addressing on LinkedIn is a higher level or more general version of what you detail in your resume.  LinkedIn is where you showcase your professional brand and includes key elements such as the About section that provides an overview of your experience, skills and personal attributes. You can let recruiters and hiring managers, as well as your LinkedIn community know you are in active job search with the Open To Work feature. Find out more here.

LinkedIn is search engine optimised, so it’s very important to use this online space wisely!  You have 120 characters in the headline and 2000 characters in the About section of your LinkedIn Profile.

Here are some critical success factors to consider when writing your LinkedIn Profile.

• Professional Photo:
  This can be taken by a photographer, or a friend with a good camera or phone camera and must show you in professional attire. Avoid pictures with others, pictures of you on holidays or at a recent wedding.
• Relevant Information:
  Your information must be relevant to your ideal employer and optimised so you will get found on LinkedIn. the sections that are most important are the Open To, About Section, Experience, Education, Skills and Summary.
• Focus on Recruiters & Hiring Managers:
  Before updating your LinkedIn Profile consider ‘What do I want to be known for?” and “Who am I trying to influence?”. Forgot about your friends and colleagues and focus on future employers, recruiters and hiring managers.
• About Section:
  The first 1-2 lines of this section are the most important as they are what people see first and will encourage them to click through and read on. Be personable and speak directly to the reader..
• Experience:
  Clearly articulate the scope and breadth of each role and demonstrate key achievements in this area via your experience and key achievement statements.  Briefly describe your accountabilities and then focus on what you have achieved in that role. Provide as much relevant evidence of your achievements as possible, with clear metrics (e.g. % increases in business growth, if you’re in a business development role). Also use words such as ‘Successfully” and “Consistently” to communicate a more compelling achievement.
• Recommendations:
  The best LinkedIn recommendations are ones that offer specific results or examples. They are just like a written reference and can be a very powerful way to reinforce that you are the professional who potential employers need to meet.

It’s now time to prepare for battle!

Remember . . . . 

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Win the Job Search Battle appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 16: Sanah, a migrant Career Success Story appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 15: How the Jump Start Your Career Program landed Christina her new job. appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 14: Jumping from job to job leads to career success in real estate for Julia appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 13: The future of work is here now. Learn how to move forward. appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 12: How Alli positioned herself to achieve first place in her job search appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 11: How Gilly strategically planned her next career move appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 10: Scott survives redundancy and steers toward Career Success appeared first on Letz Create.