Figuring out a career

Question

I've worked with the same retail company for over 7 years and need a change. I have limitations right now since I cant drive so have to stay in area. I plan on being able to drive in the next few months so I can look elsewhere for a job. Since I've only worked with one company my entire life my resume is very small. How can I make it seem better and make employers want to hire me? How do I decide what field I want to go in to? I want to work somewhere that cares about its employees  and where I'll be able to grow within the company. Any advice?

Kimberly Mc · Answer

Make sure you're not overlooking things you could put on your resume! Do you do any volunteer work or belong to any groups which relate to your profession? Add those to your resume. Show any classes specific to your profession, even if you just took them to stay up on technology and they did not lead to a specific certification.

Jennifer Mukhtiar · Answer

Resume: Highlight a variety of accomplishments. Did you work on any special projects? Act as backup in a different department? Take on responsibilities of a different role (even temporarily)? Quantify whatever you can.
Deciding: What have you enjoyed most (and least) about your current position? What’s your optimal balance between social contact (e.g. with customers, in meetings) and focused time alone? What work environment would you prefer? Etc.

Lady Pele · Answer

If you're not sure what you want to do, take a look at https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-11-best-career-quizzes-to-help-you-find-your-dream-job

As the URL indicates, it has a variety of quizzes that match your interests to suggested careers.  Good luck!

Kristan Newman · Answer

I love the 'What Color is Your Parachute?' method. It will help you find out what you want to do, and help you go through a more effective (and less mind- melting) way to get there than the repetitive applications online. You can even get the 2020 version now at your local library, although  I would suggest buying it. Best of luck!

Patricia Ohoma · Answer

Good question and one I've wanted to ask as well... how do you figure out what you want to do? Someone said to me today, what would make you wake up and say, 'I can't wait to go to work today!' and go find that job... I'm still thinking, ha!

Natasha Nurse · Answer

Love to look at your resume and discuss how to spell out your experience. Schedule a time to chat here: https://www.dressingroom8.com/scheduling/

Rose Holland · Answer

Highlight ACCOMPLISHMENTS. An accomplishment is what you did, how you did it and the impact/results. Did you increase sales? decrease theft? been recognized for outstanding customer service?

Tell your story and show how you are the right candidate.

Barb Hansen · Answer

I had my first job after college for 13 years and I had the same part-time job through high-school and college, so I had a small resume at that point as well and that's okay. I was early in my career (although at the time, 13 years felt like forever) and having a one page resume was appropriate.

To paraphrase what both Jennifer and Kimberly said above, focus on what you have done (not where you did it),  your accomplishments and your talents, be those example from a part-time job, high school/college/church/community club or at your job.

You may want to reach out to a resume writer to help you - I am sure there are many here on FGB - a good resume writer can be invaluable.

Jennifer A · Answer

If you can do it, try temporary work.  Finding a few 2-6 month contracts can bulk up your resume and show you what's out there at the same time.  When I was laid off, I had been at my company for over 15 years and even though I had had several jobs, a recruiter told me that I was difficult to place because organizations were afraid I was 'stuck in my ways' and 'wouldn't be able to work in a different type of organization and/or culture.

Good Luck!

Figuring out a career

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.