Find New Job Possibilities Your Way

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-01-19 15:05:57.864893-05:00

Do you need to look into possible new jobs? Or would you like to find out what other jobs are out there?

Before you actually look for a specific job, you need to know what kind of job you're after. If you want the same kind of job you have now, you can probably go straight into job searching.

But if you want to see what other sorts of jobs are out there, you need to step back and get more information.

Some people look forward to this step. Others dread it. What about you?

Does the thought of going on an informational interview make you want to hide?
Would it intrigue you to make a collage to depict what you most want in a job?
Do you yearn for one, well-organized source of job ideas?
Would you like to get new job ideas by reading about people who discovered their true calling through an adventure like the Peace Corps?
Do you feel discouraged at the thought of spending hours on the Internet and still not having a clear idea of which jobs ideas to pursue?
Do you groan at the idea of using lists, or a database, to match up interests and jobs?

It's All About Preferences

Most people recognize themselves in about half of the scenarios above, but definitely not in the other half.

This is because most of us prefer to get and process new information in one of two ways. About half of us like to do this through facts, focusing on what is practical. The other half likes to get and process new information through hunches, focusing on the theoretical. In the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality inventory, those who like to get their information through facts are said to be more "sensing." Those folks who like to get their information through hunches are more "intuitive."

These preferences are basic parts of our personality. We can act differently than our preferences. But we're most comfortable acting in line with our preferences. Knowing your information-gathering preferences will let you explore jobs without driving yourself crazy.

Once you know your information-getting preferences, you can use the information methods that fit you best.

How Do You Like to Get New Information?

Listed below are two sets of actions. The first set of actions would be more comfortable for a sensing person. The second set would be more comfortable for an intuitive person. Look through the two lists and ask yourself which set of actions you would be most comfortable doing.

Sensing

Write down 10 steps that you could take to explore new job possibilities. Write down the first ideas that come to mind. Then, put these in a logical order. Plan when you will take each step.

Look through a career book with charts and lists of jobs that fit certain personality types, skills, values, and interests. Select five jobs that match you the most. Use one or two library reference books to research these jobs further.

Meet with someone you know. Give them details of what you do in your job now, what you're especially good at, what you like and don't like to do on the job. Ask for their ideas about five specific kinds of jobs you could explore.

Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete a skills inventory online. Match your skills with jobs requiring them.

Intuitive

Over a week or so, let your mind wander to how you'd like to learn more about new job possibilities. Each time an idea comes to you, jot it down in a notebook or on a scrap of paper. At the end of the week, look over all your notes. Start on one or two of your ideas.

Read people's stories about their jobs; watch career videos. Jot down some notes of possible jobs, or job elements, to think about.

Make appointments with several people that you think could help you think through new job possibilities. Give each of them an overview of what you're thinking about work - your current job and future possibilities. Ask for ideas about other job possibilities.

Find some Web sites for career exploration. Surf them when you have time. After a few hours of surfing, jot down the two or three job possibilities that intrigue you the most.

How Can You Stretch Your Usual Information-Gathering Methods?

Now that you have some idea how you like to gather information, you can decide to stretch your usual preferences by using a couple of other methods. Admit up front that you'll be uncomfortable, but do it anyway. Give yourself credit for going outside your comfort zone.

Look at the lists above again. Select one action from the list you don't like. Try out this method for gathering some information on possible new jobs. It may be less stressful if you combine this method with an action that is more typical for you.

For example, if you seem to be a sensing type, force yourself to watch one or two career videos on the America's Career InfoNet Web site. Don't take notes. During each video, picture yourself doing that work. After each video, quickly jot down the three things that appeal to you in the work shown. Next, research three other jobs with those qualities.

If you seem to be an intuiting type, force yourself to use the online Occupation Search tool on America's Career InfoNet. Print out the results. Then dream about some other jobs that might also have similar requirements. Ask two friends what they think.

Which Job Exploration Actions Fit You Best?

Pick out a few job-exploration actions below. Plan to do several that feel right to you. Force yourself to do one or two that feel strange. Modify actions to fit your information-gathering preferences.

Browse job openings in the Sunday newspaper. Pick jobs that intrigue you. Research them.
Browse online job openings on America ' s Job Bank. Research three jobs you don ' t know much about.
Write down dream jobs you ' ve thought of at various times in your life. Research them.
Meet with someone who knows your work and ask for ideas about jobs that may match your skills and abilities.
Ask one friend to name jobs she or he thinks you would like and do well in.
Invite several friends to brainstorm with you over a meal.
Email a questionnaire about your future work to friends and ask them to fill it out.
Schedule three sessions with a career counselor.
Make an appointment with a Career One-Stop counselor.
Check out two library books about different possible occupations.
Use Internet sources to read about different occupations.
Read a book of stories about people ' s work.
Subscribe to a career exploration listserv.

AARP Resources

10 Job Ideas for Older Workers
Get inspired by this AARP Bulletin article's look at jobs that need you.

Additional Resources

Learn More About Your Preferences
Take this online version of the Temperament Sorter, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It's quick, free, and informative.

America's Career InfoNet
Pick out the career exploration tool you like the best. Packed with useful information.

Experienced Workers Tell About Their Jobs
This nonprofit Web site covers the personal side of work. Read real workers' reports on the rewards, skills, and challenges of their jobs.

You're a what?
Read short articles about people with unusual or interesting jobs, like sommelier, arborist, corporate concierge, and perfusionist. From the U.S. Department of Labor's online magazine, the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.

Too Young to Retire?
Read stories about people changing their work lives - for the better.

Books

Find these books online at Barnes and Noble.com.

Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do,
Studs Terkel, The New Press, 1997. Famous journalist's powerful interviews with workers. All about their jobs and their lives.

What Should I Do With My Life?,
Po Bronson, Random House, 2002. Learn about 50 people of all ages and from every kind of background. They have all looked deep inside to figure out the work they want.