Careers in New Zealand

You thought that you had it all mapped out'''.My next role in the company is? Or, to gain the Sales Manager's job I may have to wait, as he/she appears not to be moving up themselves. Or do I change companies to achieve promotion?

Then it happens 'You have achieved what you set out to do in your current role and then, you got bored, or worse, you have just been made redundant!

First, do not do anything rash. Take a few days to recover and acknowledge your negative feelings about the situation. Remind yourself that your career does not define you and that one setback does not make your reinvention effort a total failure.

While it may be tempting to isolate yourself after the necessary self-reflection, you should go back into the world and allow the people you care about to support you through this time. "I recommend long dinners with at least two friends. They can provide fresh ideas and help you see things more clearly," says Philip Wood of Lee Hecht Harrison. You should, however, be careful who you take advice from. "Ignore naysayers unless they've specifically done what you are trying to do," he says.

Get your dream back on track by launching a new project or trying a new approach. It will boost your motivation and keep you from ruminating too long on the setback.

It is not uncommon to hear a career changer's story and find its marked with a major setback prior to a successful reinvention. Often, such a setback is a catalyst for change. But in reality, it may be more jarring to experience misfortune after a period of achievement - just when you least expect it.

The society will always be obsessed with achievement. But what happens once you are considered objectively successful, with a great salary and a job that energizes you? It is easy to rest on your accomplishments and your way of getting work done, perhaps even feeling there is not much left to learn.

You cannot afford to sit back - it might be tempting.  As Philip says, 'You must remain employable, not just employed'.  Successful people fall into the trap of thinking they do not need to change anything because their behavior is working for them. Every time they get promoted, they get positive reinforcement even when certain skills are lacking. The most important thing to remember is that just because you are skilled or talented in a particular area does not mean you should simply pass go and collect your $200.

Know Your Weaknesses; turn them into challenges. Philip's view is that employers and recruitment companies select on the basis of elimination rather than selection. If you eliminate the perceived negative as a 'challenge or opportunity', which are what most people look for in their next position, then you have just removed the rejection component.

By becoming as successful as you can be, after you have already climbed part of the ladder, means you need certain things.  For starters, you need people skills: Listen carefully, think before you speak, reciprocate favors and manage conflicts diplomatically. Consider contacting HR to see what training is available.

It is also important to recognise what you have accomplished up to this point. "We are good at achievement, but not at appreciating that achievement," says Philip.  If you cannot see it for yourself then you need the guidance of an expert to assist in unraveling the skills from the achievements in order to better understand how to target the next job role from the thousands of job opportunities in New Zealand.

Understand what you are good at, especially in the current market environment.  Employers select people who deliver outcomes versus their 'shopping list' of requirements.

As Philip explains; 'I have trained soccer teams for many year and I recall one a particular team of 14 year olds. One week at training the team enquired as to why I seemed to have all the players in similar positions, goal scorers up front, defenders at the back and the usual Goalie. They all wanted to score goals and couldn't understand the concept of the team approach and that it did not matter who scored the goal but that the team won! Next training session I agreed they could sort themselves out for the next Saturday game. 'You put whomever you want into whatever position they want to play in.' Need I explain more' they got thrashed!

Philip's tips for applications and process:
·    Study the advert and extract the 'doing' words.
·    Measure yourself honestly against the requirement''.can I do it, have I done it, how well?
·    Be honest with yourself; less than a 75% capability - don't bother applying, why be rejected?
·    In the covering letter (email) select their requirement against your ability and refer them to your CV which should demonstrate your ability VS their requirement.
·    Follow up 5 working days after the closing date and enquire how your application has been received.

If selected for an interview:
Philip's views when considering an application for a role leading to an interview is, 'prepare, prepare, prepare'.  

Before the interview, go to the company site, go reception and ask for some company information as you are coming for an interview with Mary Smith in a few days and you are looking for some additional information on the company in preparation for the interview. Two things will happen:  1: You will feel more relaxed on the interview day. It will be the second time that you have been there, you know where to park, therefore you will be arriving a little more relaxed; and 2: The receptionist may even have commented to the Manager in passing that you came to find out more about the company. If you were in their shoes, how might you feel at the interview knowing the person in front of you had done his/her homework?

During this whole interim process you need to keep control of your senses. At home, utilize a completely different set of skills than you do at work, so through this interim stage Philip recommends the following;

Divide the week into three equal time compartments;
·    Start a project ' paint the bedroom, finish the landscaping, whatever.
·    Spend 2-3 days a week on job search activities.
·    Relax ' read, play golf, walk the dog.

Most importantly DO NOT FEEL GUILTY about the way that you are spending your time. You are in control.  Enjoy the relative freedom while you can. Once you start work again, and you will, you won't have the time for so much fun again! The brain is being kept in tune, just as at work and then when you go for the interview you will be in a better frame of mind, more relaxed and focused on the job and more likely to be made an offer.

Success stories Philip has encountered all follow this. From despair to appointment is one hell of a rollercoaster ride; full of emotion, stresses, anguish, self-denial, etc.  'If this rollercoaster goes over one more summersault then I will throw up!!'  It will be one of the most difficult exercises that you will undertake. However with planning, forethought, control and enthusiasm it will feel like a Ferris wheel by comparison.

For more career tips, developmental tools, skill set refreshers, advice and assistance throughout your Professional Career visit Adecco New Zealand at http://www.adecco.co.nz/.  

About Adecco New Zealand

Adecco New Zealand is the world's leading human resource solutions provider with 50 years of recruitment experience. It is committed in offering modern job seekers with tailored jobs in New Zealand, Dunedin jobs and Christchurch jobs as well as in providing personal development and skill enhancing trainings to help job seekers get the right job; one that enhances their skills and rewards their experience.

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