Career Evaluation Time

Being the editor of this publication, it is my job to know everything about the business. and when I say business, I mean the industry of course.

As those who know me can testify, nobody loves to share his insight more than I. Thus this week I thought I would pass along some knowledge gathered along the way.

Every so often it's an excellent idea to sit down and evaluate your career. What do you like about your job? What do you dislike? If the negatives outweigh the positives, perhaps it is time to consider making some changes.

A career rearrangement is a big step to take, not one to be taken lightly. Once you jump you can't go back. Directionless? Adrift? Just a change in scenery for a change in scenery's sake can sometimes be a mistake. You have to think about whether you are simply looking for something different than the status quo, or if a change will actually improve your situation. Consideration and feedback is sometimes prudent.

The first step to update a resume is like a visit to the dentist. No one enjoys it but it is sometimes a necessity. What about that five year gap?

Most of us have been to at least one interview; if not, how exactly did you land a job with this company? I've recently gone on a few so here are some tips:

Though you can never know what will be asked of you, you can anticipate the tone of the interview. In most interviews you will be asked some standard questions. For example, you will be asked what you consider to be your strengths, and what you thank are your weaknesses. You will also probably be asked what you would bring to the job. So, you can prepare for the experience/ordeal by anticipating what will be asked. For my last few interviews, I've studied hard by watching as many different TV talk shows as I could. (Paul Schaffer is not a dork- he just plays one on TV.)

Say you're interviewing for a position in the Department of Agriculture, where you would help in the regulation of weed control. You learn there are 10 "illegal" weeds in Minnesota. You've also learned more than you ever wanted to know about illegal weeds. Being a city person you wonder if your lack of knowledge of farm life will be a strike against you. No problem, just be honest but earnest; you've always wanted to regulate weeds, you've just never known how to go about it.

How to dress? You don't want to over dress. You don't want to show up in a suit or a dress if a suit or a dress will never be worn on the job. But you don't want to under dress either. Spandex probably isn't appropriate. YOu lso have to keep in mind while you don't exactly want to work for someone where appearances matter to such a degree, the company is probably going to interview several siimlar candidates and every little thing done to impress them will make a difference.

One thing I learned is to remember it is a business interview. Don't think the interviewer is oging to care one hoot about your personal life. Swapping recipes will not get you the job.

A job search is difficult. Eight hours a day for 50 years, what a cheery thought! Good luck!