Is this the year you’re going to make that career move you’ve been thinking about every fall?
Last week the new school year began in Ontario. Gill Deacon‒host of CBC’s Here and Now‒asked listeners how they were getting their children ready to ease back into school routines, and they provided lots of tips. She also asked what new starts the adults had planned for themselves. Responses ranged from more education, a return to artistic pursuits and a number referenced starting a search for a new job. I guess we all spent so many years in the classroom that September feels like another “new year” no matter what our age and stage!
Each fall, our low-key, laid-back summer selves pull it together and recommit to getting serious. While January 1st New Year’s Resolutions seem more like making up for holiday indulgence, those forged in September–whether a new hobby, a class you’re going to take or a career management plan–feel appropriate for this time of year. And our inner calendar is mirrored by the organizational, as the professional meetings and events that wrapped up in June often launch with a flourish this month.
As you head into this other new year, in addition to the 12 best resume practices mentioned last week, here are 6 “back-to-school tips” I’ve adapted to help you launch your September career planning:
- If you have fallen out of your routine this summer, get back on track. In terms of career planning, this means planning! Identify some SMART career goals, determine what action is needed to achieve them, and seek the help you need to be effective in carrying them out. Then put those actions you’ve identified into your schedule, so career management becomes a habit.
- Prepare for career chats by doing your homework. Researching the industry/ company/contacts and drafting a set of questions you want to ask will lead to more productive meetings and prevent much stress in the long run. Both Google and LinkedIn are invaluable resources for this.
- Put together a “shopping list” of what will give you career satisfaction. Determining what you want in a new job/career ahead of time will create focus for your own activity and help you clarify your message to others who can assist you. Self-assessment, targeted research and informational interviews combined with coaching from someone who can listen, respond and ask key questions can provide structure and support for the process.
- Save time on busy days by prepping for networking meetings and interviews in advance. This means keeping your résumé relevant as well as up to date, using a spreadsheet or contact management system to track your career exploration and/or job search activity and having a great go-to outfit for last minute meetings.
- Understand what to expect during job interviews. These days, most of our clients are having screening interviews via phone or a platform like Zoom. This interview format has expanded to include subsequent meetings as well: panel interviews, presentations and meetings with all stakeholders, not just hiring managers. Head off anxiety by preparing for each eventuality. That way once you are in the meeting, you can focus on being fully present, so you get your message across and determine if the role is a good fit.
- Prepare for socializing in the job search. Learning how to balance the niceties of conversation with getting down to business is crucial. My corporate clients tell me they are looking to hire candidates who not only have the “hard” skills they seek but are adept interpersonally as well.
Since September is clearly a month of new starts and fresh beginnings, I’ll leave you with a question: What’s your career resolution for this “other new year”?
Day Merrill, M.A., is the founding Partner and Career/Executive Coach for 2BDetermined. She is a 30-year career services professional with expertise coaching individuals and teams on a range of career and work-related topics as well as consulting to organizations in Canada and the U.S. on their workforce development needs. Day holds a B.A. from Connecticut College, a Master of Arts from Wesleyan University and has completed Coach U’s coach certification training.
Day Merrill
Day Merrill, M.A.
Founder & Principal
2BDetermined Inc.
Office: 416.725.2947
E-Mail Day
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Is this the year you’re going to make that career move you’ve been thinking about every fall?
Last week the new school year began in Ontario. Gill Deacon‒host of CBC’s Here and Now‒asked listeners how they were getting their children ready to ease back into school routines, and they provided lots of tips. She also asked what new starts the adults had planned for themselves. Responses ranged from more education, a return to artistic pursuits and a number referenced starting a search for a new job. I guess we all spent so many years in the classroom that September feels like another “new year” no matter what our age and stage!
Each fall, our low-key, laid-back summer selves pull it together and recommit to getting serious. While January 1st New Year’s Resolutions seem more like making up for holiday indulgence, those forged in September–whether a new hobby, a class you’re going to take or a career management plan–feel appropriate for this time of year. And our inner calendar is mirrored by the organizational, as the professional meetings and events that wrapped up in June often launch with a flourish this month.
As you head into this other new year, in addition to the 12 best resume practices mentioned last week, here are 6 “back-to-school tips” I’ve adapted to help you launch your September career planning:
- If you have fallen out of your routine this summer, get back on track. In terms of career planning, this means planning! Identify some SMART career goals, determine what action is needed to achieve them, and seek the help you need to be effective in carrying them out. Then put those actions you’ve identified into your schedule, so career management becomes a habit.
- Prepare for career chats by doing your homework. Researching the industry/ company/contacts and drafting a set of questions you want to ask will lead to more productive meetings and prevent much stress in the long run. Both Google and LinkedIn are invaluable resources for this.
- Put together a “shopping list” of what will give you career satisfaction. Determining what you want in a new job/career ahead of time will create focus for your own activity and help you clarify your message to others who can assist you. Self-assessment, targeted research and informational interviews combined with coaching from someone who can listen, respond and ask key questions can provide structure and support for the process.
- Save time on busy days by prepping for networking meetings and interviews in advance. This means keeping your résumé relevant as well as up to date, using a spreadsheet or contact management system to track your career exploration and/or job search activity and having a great go-to outfit for last minute meetings.
- Understand what to expect during job interviews. These days, most of our clients are having screening interviews via phone or a platform like Zoom. This interview format has expanded to include subsequent meetings as well: panel interviews, presentations and meetings with all stakeholders, not just hiring managers. Head off anxiety by preparing for each eventuality. That way once you are in the meeting, you can focus on being fully present, so you get your message across and determine if the role is a good fit.
- Prepare for socializing in the job search. Learning how to balance the niceties of conversation with getting down to business is crucial. My corporate clients tell me they are looking to hire candidates who not only have the “hard” skills they seek but are adept interpersonally as well.
Since September is clearly a month of new starts and fresh beginnings, I’ll leave you with a question: What’s your career resolution for this “other new year”?
Day Merrill, M.A., is the founding Partner and Career/Executive Coach for 2BDetermined. She is a 30-year career services professional with expertise coaching individuals and teams on a range of career and work-related topics as well as consulting to organizations in Canada and the U.S. on their workforce development needs. Day holds a B.A. from Connecticut College, a Master of Arts from Wesleyan University and has completed Coach U’s coach certification training.