Closing Doors Too Soon Case Management study
by Karen Shane, Canadian Career Practitioner

Scenario: A male in his early 40's we'll refer here to as “Solomon” thinks his career should be well underway and that he should be making 6 figures by now. Opportunity knocks right? Well not all the time. I suggested that he should first work on getting a 5-figure full time job then he can build his way up to 6 figures. However, without hesitation he said that after his first year he wants to make 6 figures. Realistic or Unrealistic?

I showed him a book enlisting quite a number of companies and who they are interested in hiring – the book was in my opinion mainly written for new grads but there was insightful information under each company description. He was closed to the suggestion of having to actually do the research. Yet, he claims not to have had a full time job for many years. What to do? We went over information about job titles and working in various industries. Working in a trade was out of the question for him. Another door closed.

“Tradespersons”, I said is what Canada definitely needs and training could very well open the door to new ventures. That front door screen door just kept on closing, metaphorically speaking. However, Solomon did want to keep exploring several options for a fantastic career. I couldn't tell him what to do or what not to do, just as I couldn't tell you. There are qualified career counsellors willing to take the time to listen to you and help you discover your skills. Even if you haven't received a four year degree or college diploma, there is hope as long as you keep pursuing. You will find something if you demonstrate your uniqueness, have some skills, confidence and hands-on work experience and if you highlight this emphatically in a resume. The employer must see right away what type of career position title you're after.

I presented the material again demonstrating how to use the book I lent him. He became intrigued and now the screen door became ajar. This illustration shows that one should not close doors so fast, and before you do the knee-jerk reaction and say “no”, leave yourself open to the opportunity to find out more information. When, and if, family members know someone by word of mouth, give yourself a chance to explore what exactly a career position may be all about. Family members may be down on your back to land a job and soon, and you can handle this by not telling them every bit of information about your day by day search for employment. You can search the net, go over to the library or your local bookstore to look up job postings in trade journals. Attend a Job Fair. Google all your job search ideas! You shouldn't sit back and complain for weeks on end. You must have a lot to offer...so keep up your search by making approximately 10 phone calls a day to find out if there are openings. If you do this you'll have 50 places by the end of a typical 5-day week, and will have improved your chances step by step. Sure, check the daily newspapers but also check out the classifieds here at TorontoJobs.ca – the listings in this very news publication. Check out also trade magazines and even your local Yellow Pages to investigate the title of the industry where you'd like to work. Make a resume for each job title – this is great advice as a Certified Professional Resume Writer that I can recommend you do.

Build your own campaign. Keep a journal in one of those 5 x 7 notebooks including names of persons you've spoken with, their titles, the full company name, emails and phone numbers. If you really want to work there send a resume in every three to six months and follow up by phone or by email. Ensure that there aren't any spelling errors on your cover letter and resume. You've probably heard this a million times but it's amazing, the number of resumes submitted with spelling errors.

Don't give up. Keep trying. If nothing is happening it may not be your fault but it maybe that your resume isn't up to today's market standards. Ask an expert to do a resume analysis. He or she will let you know how they can enhance it if you've requested a certified professional résumé writer or one who is called a Certified Resume Writer or a Certified Résumé Strategist. There are different names from the various resume organizations, but it's not really that complex. There are some resume writers who are in fact very good in the way they write and their style is different, but why not invest in yourself? Take some of the money from a severance package and use it because each week you don't work is loss of one week's salary, and it all adds up – and this reduces your annual income week by week.

So think freedom – and indulge in yourself. Treat yourself to a professional resume. Now is the time. Often you will make up the expense of a resume and cover letter during the first few days, so why wait if we professional resume writers put forth all our effort to try to get you interviews? We're on your team as supportive team players who go the extra mile to help. If you play the dominant role to search for a good paying position, something is bound to come your way. So give yourself a chance, explore your options and become equipped with the essential tools you will need to succeed – and of course, it's sometimes who you know, so get out there and network. Call your local Chamber of Commerce to find out if there are one or more companies planning to come to town so you can get a head start and prepare a customized resume focusing on a career title that they maybe offering in the future.

Karen Shane is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and has been writing resumes and cover letter since 1994 on a daily basis. The company name is Business Writing & Resumes and one of her websites is: www.karenshane.ca - easy to remember and branded! Phone: 416-226-0460 to order a professional resume, cover letter or to discuss creating a personal website of your resume by an associate of hers. Don't hesitate to email a current resume for a quote. Then you can 'join the ranks' of prepared job seekers who are masters at searching for employment.

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