Introduction to employment

Getting a -new- job

Never had job before? Fed up with your current job? Not going anywhere on the career ladder? Tired of doing the same thing year in year out? Not getting appreciated for your hard work? Why not change employers. 

Perhaps you are happy with the work but don't like - some of - your colleagues or your boss. Or perhaps you are not getting the benefits you should or are entitled to. Perhaps you simply want to do different work altogether or work from home. 

All very good reasons to explore the job market for new opportunities. 

The job market, past and present  

The job market is different than what it was ten years ago. Much different than what it was twenty years ago, and totally and completely different than what it was before then. At least, in some ways. 

In fundamental ways working life is still all about earning an income, doing what you want to do professionally, and learning to do it better and feeling good about it all. 

But if you realize somewhere along the way it's not doing any or none of these three anymore, then perhaps it's time for a change. 

So if you find yourself unhappy at your current job for any of the abovementioned reasons or any other you can come up with yourself, it might be a good time to stop and think about leaving your employer and finding another. 

Self examination  

But before you hand in your notice and pack up your "stuff", take a moment to reflect and organise. The following negative thoughts triggered by fear and uncertainty may come up: 

• I have been at this place so long I wouldn't know how to go about looking for work some place else.

• I'm not really confident I'm worth all that much on the job market. 

• I'm too old to change jobs now. 

• I probably don't have the qualifications anymore. 

• When I mentioned it to my family they said I was crazy. 

• I've thought about it so long but I haven't really done anything about it. 

• I'll have to leave the people I know behind and will be among strangers. 

This negative defense system gets triggered whenever we contemplate uncertainty or a major change in our lives. Doubt sets in, often fuelled by people around us, from whom we really want encouragement rather than - loving - depreciation. 

Yes, a good hard look at yourself could be in place here. It may be a good idea to take a few days off and spend some time at a favourite hobby, location, family member or friend, to think things through. 

But if this is not in your realm of possibilities get some books or other material from a local library or on line and do some reading on how you feel. When faced with an important decision it is equally important that you try and make it calmly and well thought over. A career change can have repercussions not only for yourself but for everyone around you. 

Career Assessment  

Right. So you have decided to quit your job and find another place of employment. Great. Congratulations. Be positive about it. A decision to change jobs is leaving behind something negative, even if it was only boredom, nothing more serious, and starting something new and positive. 

And don't let the above rationales change your mind. Trust your instincts. If you really are fed up at your current job, it really is time to look for something else.

The next step is to assess your position in the job market place. 

• Do you still have career possibilities? 

• Do you need training? 

• Can you still write a resume or CV? 

• Do you know where to look? 

• Are you ( considered by others or yourself to be ) too old?

• Can you travel for a new job? 

It is helpful to answer these and other questions that come up because approaching the transition from one job to another in an orderly, rational and calm manner will greatly improve your chances of success. 

Resume or CV  

One of the important things is to get a resume or CV. Not only is this of vital importance to your prospective employer or employment agency, it is another tool to help you assess your past career as well as your wishes and desires for the future.  

As our Resume Section will show, making a good, clear and easily legible record of your past career, accompanied with a concise introduction to yourself and your goals and ambitions can make all the difference in getting you the job you really want. 

I want to go to the Resume or CV section to learn more about resumes or CV's, how to write them, get them for free, or to get professional help to make a proper resume or CV.

Differences between changing jobs at a current employer or finding a new job elsewhere

Looking for a new job within your own company is different than looking for a new job at another company. We list some advantages and disadvantages here for you to think about. Some points fall in both categories depending on your point of view. 

Decisions, decisions  

Have you made up your mind yet? No? No problem. No need to rush. There is more to consider before you should make a definite decision.