There are several approaches people take in planning their career. One approach is called "panning for gold." In this approach, the individual keeps sifting through the dirt and throwing out the rocks, hoping to strike it rich and discover the perfect career. Some individuals hope to wake up one morning and suddenly know what to do in life. Many are still waiting for that magical day to dawn. Others choose careers after careful planning. Most people spend less than 20 hours of their life planning a career.

In your present job, have you chosen a career or a means to pay the bill?  Think about it.

Two trends responsible for occupational changes in today's society are the restructuring of corporate America and the aging of baby boomers looking for careers more in tune with their changing personal priorities. Approximately 10% of the American work force switch occupations every year. A Gallup Poll indicates 1/3 of employed, college-educated adults would choose a different line of work, if given the chance. One of the fastest growing businesses today is career counseling.

The constant restructuring of businesses has led to the highest anxiety levels about job security in decades among managers. Approximately 37% of managers are frequently concerned about being laid off from their jobs. Approximately 40% of managers said they could not count on keeping their jobs even if they performed well. And 50% of managers were worried about the future of their companies.

Why are workers dissatisfied and willing to change professions? Part of the problem deals with how we originally select our profession in the first place. Think about when you were asked to choose a career path. If you are like most people, that decision was made in high school. Do teenagers really know enough about themselves and different careers to make this decision? And how many teenagers actually make the choice themselves?  Are parents an influence in what career choice their children make? Also, in choosing a career, we never stop to think whether we will be satisfied with the career for the rest of our lives. We all go through different stages in life, and what may satisfy our needs as teenagers and young adults may not sustain us as we get older.

How can you tell if you need a career change? If you can answer 'yes' to any of the items listed below, it is time for a change:

• Getting up in the morning to go to work is a drag, so I stay in bed and play with the snooze alarm as long as possible. This is a fact of life, but work is supposed to be drudgery.
• I have become 100% fully committed to going somewhere I do not fully enjoy, just to pay my bills.
• While I am at work, I worry a great deal about other people finding out that I do not want to be there, and pretend to be enjoying what I do.
• At work, I try to look busy. The highlight of my day is to cynically complain that the company does not lay out a career path for me.
• I do a good job when I have to, sometimes I will go the extra mile, but only because it is my duty.
• I live for the weekend and get upset if it rains on "my" precious time.
• The Bill Murray character in the movie "Groundhog Day" reminds me of my own life.

The first step in choosing a fulfilling career is to perform a personal assessment. You must have a purpose in life and understand the underlying values and beliefs about what is important.  Without personal meaning in our work, careers become a lifestyle crutch. Without purpose or meaning, we become drained of energy and enthusiasm. Below are some important questions you can ask yourself about purpose:

• Does my career have meaning or purpose that is important to me?
• Am I excited to go to work everyday?
• What is stopping me from getting what I really want?

Besides purpose, consider your natural abilities.  We are born with a set of abilities we keep for life. People fulfilled in their work use their strongest talents and abilities all day while minimizing the use of weaker talents. Characteristics such as passions, wants, desires, dreams, aspirations, beliefs, and personality are important to consider in choosing a career. Some of these limit career growth, such as the fear of making less money.

The second step is to examine your personal assessment about purpose, natural ability, and personality, and begin making definite commitments important to your everyday life.  Clarify what your are going to have versus what you have.

Third, ask yourself "Where am I going?" Create a vision of a perfect career and then choose or plan a path and commit yourself to taking action toward making your career a reality.

The last step is to answer the questions, "How do I get there from here?" The answer is simple, one step at a time.

In recent years, there have been many changes in the health care industry, such as mergers, hospital closings, and mushrooming managed care, which have resulted in changes in employment and attitudes of health care workers. Although health care workers still continue to care for patients, many tend to look out for themselves more now than before, fewer count on management for leadership and support, more are upset over the employment situation, and more are serious about looking for a better job.

In 1985, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) conducted a study in which 22 nurses were interviewed about what professionals wanted in jobs and how they sought employment. The NAA repeated the survey in 1995, but this time their sample included 136 nurses and 135 allied health care professionals, including radiologic technologists, therapeutic specialists, pharmacists, and public health care specialists. Their results illustrated that workers today tend to be less content with their jobs. In 1985, 6 out of 10 were very satisfied with their current job, whereas in 1995, only 5 out of 10 were satisfied.  This indicates a 10% drop in satisfaction. In 1985, only 1 in 12 were actively seeking another position as opposed to 2 in 12 in 1995. Approximately 38% were less than well satisfied or were searching for other employment in 1985. In 1995, approximately 53% were less than well satisfied or were looking for a new job.

The NAA study also revealed what health care professionals preferred when seeking in a job.

• Competitive salary
• Flexible schedule
• Type of facility
• Salary increases based on performance
• Direct patient contact
• Desirability of location
• Collegiality between health care workers and physicians
• Cooperation between medical and technical staff
• Help in relocating (if necessary)

According to the NAA study, the following factors usually lead to rejection of job offers by health professionals:

• Poor medical practices
• Cold, impersonal care
• Uncooperative nurses and administration
• Inflexible scheduling
• Inadequate non-salary benefits
• Relocation necessary
• Wrong specialization
• Lack of respect and collegiality
• Understaffing
• Extensive floating

According to the NAA study, the following are the most common sources of information for locating employment in the health care field:

• Word of mouth
• Newspaper classified ads
• Professional journals
• Job postings in the workplace
• Job fairs

Other job search methods include classified advertisements, Internet networks and resources, public employment services, federal job information, and private employment agencies.

If you are seeking employment through classified ads, respond promptly to the ads since openings fill quickly.  Keep a record of the ads to which you have responded and follow the ads diligently from day to day.  Beware of ads which claim "no experience necessary" since these jobs usually offer lower wages and poor working conditions. The disadvantages of searching for a job through the classified ads include the following: many jobs openings are not listed in classified ads; the ads do not give all the important information; many offer little or no description of the job, working conditions, or pay; and some do not identify the employer.

Internet networks and resources for employment are abundant and available 24 hours a day.  Listings may be located under companies, professional societies, academic institutions, government agencies, and employment and career databases. Some sites allow you to post your resume on-line or send it via e-mail.

Public employment services are usually offered through the state government. Job Service operates in coordination with the US Employment Service of the US Department of Labor.  There are over 1700 local offices nationwide to help people secure employment.

Federal job information is available through the Federal Job Information Center's "Career America Connection." More information can be obtained by accessing Fedworld on the Internet.

Private employment agencies are another avenue to follow for employment.  These agencies are helpful, but you must remember they are in business to make money. They operate on commission and the fee for placement is dependent on a successful match between employee and employer. Either the employee or the employer must pay the agency a finder's fee, once the job is secured.

When applying for a job, three ways to provide an employer with information are by filling out an application, submitting a resume, or sitting for an interview.

The following information should accompany and be supplied in a resume:

• Cover Letter
• Way to introduce yourself to employer
• Should capture employer's attention
• Follow a business format
• Should include
• Name & address of the specific person to whom the letter is addressed
• Reason for your interest in the company and position
• Main qualifications for the position
• Request for an interview
• Telephone number
• Body of Resume
• Name, address, and telephone number
• Employment objectives
• Education which includes
• School name and address
• Dates of attendance
• Curriculum studied
• Highest grade completed or degree awarded
• Work experience, either paid or volunteera, which includes:
• Job title
• Name & address of employer
• Dates of employment
• Description of job duties
• Special skills, knowledge of instruments, proficiency in foreign languages, honors received, awards, or membership in organizations
• References available upon request

Interviews are usually required before a position is secured. Interviews serve following purposes:

• Supply information about yourself not contained in the resume
• Enable the employer to evaluate your personality and attitudes in terms of the demands of the organization and the possible position
• Enable you to gain information about the organization
• Give you and the employer an opportunity to discuss the desirability of further contact or an offer of employment

To prepare for an interview, consider the following:

• Learn about the organization
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind
• Review your qualifications for the job
• Prepare answers to broad questions about yourself
• Review your resume
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative
• Arrive before the scheduled time of your interview
• Pay attention to your personal appearance
• Be well groomed
• Dress appropriately
• Do not chew gum or smoke

During the actual interview, remember the following points:

• Answer each question concisely
• Respond promptly
• Use good manners
• Learn the names of your interviewer(s) and shake hands as you meet
• Use proper English and avoid slang
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic
• Ask questions about the position and the organization
• Thank the interviewer(s) and follow up with a letter

If you are required to take a test during the interview process, keep these tips in mind:

• Listen closely to instructions
• Read each question carefully
• Write legibly and clearly
• Budget your time wisely and do not dwell on one question

You should bring the following information with you to the interview:

• Social Security number
• Driver's license number
• Resume
• References (usually 3)
• Get permission from people before using their names
• Avoid using relatives
• Provide name, address, phone number, and job title

Different types of interviews include:

• One-on-one (most common)
• Team/Board Interview (2 or more people)
• Structured Interview - all asked the same question
• Unstructured Interview
• Telephone Interview
• Second Interview

When evaluating a job offer, first consider the salary, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. Besides these basic items, also consider the organization that will be employing you and the nature of the work.

In evaluating the organization, consider the following questions:

• Is the business or activity in keeping with your own interests and beliefs?
• How will the size of the organization affect you?
• Should you work for a fledgling organization or one that is well established?
• Does it make any difference to you whether the company is public or private?
• Is the organization favorable for long-term prospects?
• Where is the job located.

In evaluating the actual job (nature of the work), consider the following questions:

• Does the work match your interests and make good use of your skills?
• How important is the job in this company?
• Are you comfortable with the supervisor?
• Do the other employees seem friendly and cooperative?
• Does the work require travel?
• Does the job call for irregular hours?
• How long do most people who enter this job stay on the job?

Return to Syllabus

References:

"More Professionals Are Looking Out For Themselves," Career Guide.  News Press Advertising Supplement, June 10, 1997, pp. 6-7.

Finding a Job and Evaluating a Job Offer
URL: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/oco2004.htm

Job Search - Job Interview
URL: http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca:80/infocecs/CRC/step4-interview.html

Steps to Choosing a Fulfilling Career (Pathfinders)
URL: http://www.his.com/~pathfind/page2.html

What Do I Really Want To Do With My Life? (Pathfinders)
URL: http://www.his.com/~pathfind/page1.html

So You Want To Change Your Job (Fortune Magazine On-line)
URL: http://www.pathfinder.com/@@6tM49gYABzEgmaHg/fortune/magazine/
1995/960115/job.html