| I am in my mid-thirties, and, as you can imagine, I | | | | The problem was that I did not exactly know what |
| have changed and looked for jobs many times in my | | | | type of job I wanted to do. Was it script writing, |
| life. No matter how successful was in my job hunting | | | | producing, PR, acting or what? Then I started to |
| research, I realized that there are certain ground | | | | take classes on film writing. It was when I finished |
| "rules" that need to be respected; otherwise, we will | | | | the third class of script writing that I understood that |
| not get what we want from our careers.First of all, | | | | going to the movies was a fun hobby, but that this |
| forget about your resume.A resume can't get you a | | | | was not my industry. After that, I gave up sending |
| job. A resume won't get you a job. Research proved | | | | resumes and I concentrated on my real needs and |
| that for 1,400 resumes sent out, there is only ONE | | | | desires. I finally found a job for a different industry |
| job offer! The percentage is very low so instead of | | | | that I enjoyed.Have a real project.For two weeks, |
| worrying too much about the structure, the layout | | | | buy all the newspapers and magazines you can find in |
| and the type of fonts you will use to create a | | | | your local area and/or nationally. Then clip job ads |
| fantastic resume, do the following:Find what you | | | | you feel attracted to. Keep them in a folder on a |
| really want to do in life.By saying that, I don't only | | | | daily basis. Each morning, find out the main elements |
| imply a job title. Yes, you would like to be a | | | | of the job ad. Was it an intellectual job, a creative |
| marketing executive, an editor, an IT consultant or a | | | | role, an analytical position or something that involved |
| flying attendant; however, it's the nature of the job | | | | adventure and taking risks? Do you prefer |
| you will have to think of, in the first place. Do you | | | | management roles or travel, editing or calculating, |
| like nine-to-five roles, well structured and in an office? | | | | speaking or thinking? If you do that consistently for |
| Do you prefer to work in the outdoors? Do you mind | | | | two weeks, you will have a very clear idea of the |
| getting up at dawn to work and taking afternoons | | | | roles/jobs you like. I experimented myself, and I |
| off? Would you mind being on a plane or ship, or do | | | | found out that when looking for nine-to-five roles, I |
| you think that is a fun way to get a pay check? If | | | | liked all management positions because they offered |
| you feel that you do not have the answer to these | | | | flexibility, travel, high profile contacts and decision |
| questions, think twice.Make lists with things you | | | | making. My client, Helen, who is an editor in a |
| enjoy in life: your interests, your hobbies, your | | | | publishing house loves her job although she admits |
| passions. Then ask your friends or family. What do | | | | that it can be repetitive sometimes. I could not |
| they think about you? Very often, we do not have a | | | | imagine Helen managing, as she is the type of person |
| very clear idea of what we like in life, as we are | | | | who thrives on independent, analytical and writing |
| very much "into it". Our closest people, though, can | | | | jobs. On the other hand, my friend John, who is a |
| help us by identifying areas, hang-ups or paths we | | | | lecturer at the local college, enjoys research and |
| ignore or are unable to see. Just give it a go, play | | | | teaching.Last but not least: the most important |
| around, ask people and move on. By the end of your | | | | element for successful job hunting is to find out who |
| research, you will know, for example, that you are | | | | you are, not just what you want to do. Are you a |
| the person who enjoys working on his own, prefers | | | | leader, a writer, a speaker, a motivator? An explorer, |
| the unstructured life style, and works well at night. | | | | a risk-taker, an analyst, an artist or a priest? As an |
| Then, a career in writing or painting might not sound | | | | identity, you are unique. Just recognize your |
| like a bad idea.Identify the industries you are | | | | uniqueness and authenticity, and move on. Finding the |
| attracted to.This is a funny task. Very often, we | | | | job you want is the first step. Then you have to do |
| think we like everything. We like the movies, books, | | | | this job for forty hours a week for a whole life. It is |
| planes, hotels, schools and restaurants. Yes, we do. | | | | important that you deserve to express "your being" |
| This does not imply that we would like to work for | | | | while doing it?There are many other tips and |
| these industries. Enjoying a nice meal at your local | | | | strategies that will help us all to find what we want |
| restaurant, does not necessarily make you a | | | | to do for a living. These four strategies form, in my |
| successful cook. Your love for children does not | | | | opinion, the foundation to success for a first, second |
| make you a happy and wise teacher, either.Finding | | | | or fifth job. Maybe you will find a new job that will fit |
| the industry of your choice is a long term process, | | | | your personality better, because you found out who |
| and it will require constant research and clarity on | | | | you are. Happy Hunting!Thei Zervaki is a career coach |
| your part. I remember I had a huge "crush" on the | | | | and founder of She coaches individuals who don't like |
| film industry five years ago. I worked for a film | | | | to edit resumes, delivers fun workshops and helps |
| festival that didn't last more than two months. I kept | | | | her clients to get results. |
| applying for jobs in the film industry, unsuccessfully. | | | | |