You Get To Choose Where You Work

Hello Everybody,

In this post I will be covering chapter 8, You Get to Choose Where You Work, from What Color is Your Parachute.

Some people will look at their flower diagram and know right away what they want to do. But odds are that's not what's going to happen to you. So here are the steps that follow after creating your diagram and how to use it. You need to find out what careers or jobs your flower points to. First look at your diagram and write your three favorite knowledges on a piece of paper in order of most important to least. Look at your top skills and pick five, write those down on the same sheet. Show your list to five people, and ask what jobs or work does this page suggest. Jot down their ideas. Look at your notes, and circle what interests you. Keep in mind, do you want to work with people, information or things. If you're unsure your favorite skill is most likely to give you a clue. Remember what you're trying to do here, don't think in only terms of what you'd die to be able to do, but don't forget your dream either.

Your next step is to try on careers before you decide which ones to pursue. What looks good on paper doesn't mean it will work out best for you. Talk to people who are already doing that kind of job you're thinking about. Ask them how they got into their line of work and what they like the most and the least. Next you need to find out what kinds of organizations have such jobs. Think of all the kinds of places where one might get hired. "Kinds of places" also means places with different hiring options besides just simply full time (examples could be part-time, temp, volunteer). Next you need to find names of particular places that interest you. For a successful job-hunt you should choose places based on your interest in them and not wait for them to open up a vacancy. If you have too many names narrow it down by location, number of employees, and what you want to do. If you don't have enough names broaden your search, include locations that might be a little more of a commute.

Next you need to learn as much as you can about a place before formally approaching them. It creates a good first impression of you when you show that you have the dedication to look into them before walking through their door and asking for their time. Talk to friends and neighbors, ask everyone you know if they know anyone who works there. People at the organizations in question or similar, you can go in person to ask them questions about the place. Be sure you don't ask questions that are in print and you could have found the answers on your own, before wasting their time. Also approach the gateway people and subordinates before anyone else higher up, don't use this as a rouse to meet the boss.

After you find out all the information you were looking for be sure to send a thank you! E-mail them that night and send a nice one by mail the next day. Send one to everyone that helped you, and spell their names right. Nothing is more of a turn off then people repeatedly spelling your name wrong (I spell "Caitlin" with an "I" not a "Y", come on people). Be sure to be prompt and brief and professional. This might be the graphic designer in me, but use this opportunity to sell yourself. If your handwriting is bad, then print it. And please stay away from casual fonts, like comic sans, we graphic designers hate comic sans.

Until next time,
Caitlin Campbell