How to Look for a Job When You Already Have One

by Robin Ryan

The #1 reason people change jobs is not money. Feeling under appreciated in a job that lacks any personal satisfaction is what motivates most people to move on.  You’ll spend about 11,000 days working over your lifetime, and I believe they should be rewarding and happy ones in which you are paid what you are worth.  Contrary to public opinion –- you cannot compartmentalize your life. Your career, your family, your hobbies, even your socializing are all interconnected, impacting your well being. So if you’re unhappy at work those feelings spill over into your home life too.

If I’m describing you, then you are not alone. Many of my career counseling clients are in the same boat. I’ve seen dozens in the last few months who were employed, but they wanted more….and they got it. Julie had been a program manager for a major software company but had become disillusioned with the job. She put off looking for a new job because she felt overwhelmed with her current position. Her excuse was that she lacked the time to do it, that is until a friend told here about a terrific new position. That got her moving. We then began to work together and created her resume, a targeted cover letter, and polished her interviewing skills.  It took her less than three weeks to land this new job from the day she decided to go after it…and the job pays over $100K with a lucrative bonus structure which was a significant raise from the old job. Needless to say, life got immediately better for Julie once she made the decision to act. On top of which, she wrote to say she loves the new job.  

If you want to improve your life with a career change here are a couple strategies to get you quickly moving in the right direction.

• You need a great resume NOW. You simply will avoid applying if you have to “do your resume.” So set aside the next weekend and sit down and write it. Today’s employers want to see results so be specific in outlining accomplishments, noting how you made money, saved it, etc. – anywhere you’ve had a positive contribution. Your resume is likely to get only a 20-second glance, so be certain it’s the best advertisement possible announcing your skills, and get help if you are struggling to do it on your own. (Take this Resume Assessment Quiz to learn how well your resume will get employer's attention).

• Cherry Pick. When you have a job, you need to be very selective on those you elect to apply for. Time management is crucial since you’ll likely only have about five hours a week to job search. Don’t waste your time on any job that’s not exciting and a pretty decent fit. A new job may be the one that’s also a move up so stretch a bit to go after your dreams, but be realistic too.

• Write targeted cover letters. Why? Employers LOVE cover letters, and will take time to read well-written ones meaning you’ll get a longer look and stronger potential to be called in for the interview. The letter must be tailored to the opportunity and quickly outline the qualifications and past accomplishments you’ll bring to the job, noting why you are a good fit. Be sure your opening paragraph summarizes your top skills (for more info on writing a winning cover letter click LINK http://robinryan.com/winningLetters.htm)

• Know what your skills are worth. Learn whether you are underpaid and what you should expect. We have tools on RobinRyan.com to do this http://www.robinryan.com/salaryStrategies.htm  Be well prepared to effective by handling any salary questions or you may leave money on the table, or worse, not get the job since they downgraded your skills because your current salary was lower than the skill level at which you are working. Keep this mantra: whoever mentions money first loses. Don’t let it be you.

• NETWORK! That’s how 63% of people find their jobs.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.