Did you know - the average American has 8-10 jobs and 2-3 career changes during their lifetime?

Planning your career should be viewed as on ongoing process – not a one-time event.  A job means many things – of course it is a way to earn money and be productive, but it is also often a vehicle for greater community participation, personal relationships, and, in so many ways, an enhanced quality of life.  A change in plans by the job seeker is natural, healthy, expected, and encouraged.  After all, people’s goals and preferences change over time.

Career planning is an evolving process, one that encourages change and growth.  If you have responsibilities you must take care of them...however, that doesn't mean you need to suffer by being stuck in a job you hate.  Go ahead and look for a different position.  After all, if you are successful you can change your circumstances.  If you are not, you are no worse off for looking.  And remember, if you have a well-paid job you are far more likely to land another job while you are still employed.

Working with an employment specialist is an essential part of your job search.  The specialist will need to gather information such as what choices the job seeker has made, why they made those choices, what has influenced them, and why they liked or disliked certain activities.  And, of course, the specialist needs to be ready to probe with many questions.  For the job seeker it is often difficult to gather all of the information about a job before deciding to make a commitment.  That is where the employment specialist comes into play.  There is no magic formula that will distinguish between making a sensible compromise and settling for an unacceptable job offer.  It takes a good working relationship with the job seeker and potential employer, as well as the ability on the part of the service provider to give advice, while respecting the job seeker's ultimate responsibility to make his or her own life choices and compromises.  People make compromises all the time in life choices, and job choices are no different.

And remember, when a company receives a pile of resumes, they are looking for ways to reject them. The employment specialist will ensure that this does not happen to you.  Companies depend on the employment specialist to make recommendations and send them qualified applicants.  Good luck!

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Paul Day and Associates™ is an executive and technical search firm specializing in the recruitment and placement of engineering professionals, managers and executive talent within the aircraft/aerospace, IT, high-tech telecommunications, health and electric utility industries.   In addition, we recruit candidates for jobs in marketing, operations, business development and analysis, quality, human resources, and other disciplines for all industries.