Dr. Mark Kestner: Finding the ideal job during tough times on The Murfreesboro Post

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Dr. Mark Kestner: Finding the ideal job during tough times

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By: DR. MARK KESTNER

Posted: Sunday, August 3, 2008 7:25 am

I can speak with some authority on the subject of finding jobs. During my lifetime, I have been hired more than 30 times. I found my first real job at age 13 and earned 75 cents an hour. I have continued to work ever since, often holding two and occasionally three (part-time) jobs at once. While in college I once worked at two competing grocery store chains at the same time. I had to be careful to remember which name tag to put on!

The best job I have ever had is the one I enjoy now. It is a rare day that I am not keenly anticipating getting to my office in the morning. For me, running my own clinic is an ideal position. I love the interactions with patients, the challenging role of helping solve perplexing health conditions, being able to assist people recover their abilities, performing the marketing, budgeting, administration and other duties of operating a small business, being a part of community groups such as Rotary Club, Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and others. I even enjoy hiring, training and managing employees. I enjoy it all.

You may have a different concept of a great job. Maybe you were thinking more along the lines of aerospace engineer, hotel manager, correctional institute guard, bakery manager, owning your own dog grooming salon, head cashier or who knows what! You may have heard this before, but it really is true that if you can conceive it, you can achieve it. Getting the job you want is possible.

If you are unemployed or less than ideally employed, it is easy to feel despondent when you read the headlines that announce increasing unemployment. The good news is that those headlines apply to other people, not you! You are not affected by the percentage of unemployment because you are going to take the right steps to getting the job you want.

Step one. Decide. This simple step will guarantee the success of the rest of the process. Decide whether you are going to be a successful job finder or a half-hearted unprepared job seeker.

Step two. Determine what kind of job you really want, not the kind you think you can get the most easily. What would you really like to do if you knew you could get any job?

Step three. Find out what it takes to be qualified for that job. Are you already qualified? Do you need specific training? Does the desired position require training that you can only get while on-the-job?

Step four. Write down the most direct pathway you can think of to obtaining the desired position. Now write down several alternatives. You must be prepared to be resourceful if you want to succeed.

Step five. Get going. If the job you desire does not require any additional training, get focused on getting that job. If training is required, get started today!

Make your efforts count by learning how to prepare a professional resume, developing interview techniques, learning all about the position, the business, the managers, products and customers of the company, and anything else that a successful candidate would be knowledgeable about. Practice interviewing with a friend.

Successful job candidates go about getting a job in the same way they expect to perform while handling the day-to-day duties of the job.

Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. Why would a potential employer be interested in someone that comes to an interview ill-prepared, dressed inappropriately, smelling like an ashtray or a perfume factory, or having no idea why they should be the number one candidate for the position?

It is critical to keep in mind that regardless of what the headlines say about unemployment, that never applies to you. You are only looking for one perfect job. Every employer has thought at one time or another how difficult it is to find good employees … they are hoping you will show up soon!

Next week I’ll let you in on some inside scoop regarding why your health insurance company won’t cover some treatments. Until then, if you know someone seeking the perfect job, encourage them!

Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@DrKestner.com

Tagged under LIVING, VOICES

Member Opinions:

By: Jimbo on 8/5/08
The above may well be half true for younger people just coming out of college or high school but for the older worker it is pure unadulterated fantasy.
I have, in the last year, sent out over 100 resumes, with follow up, written out over 100 applications, with follow up, and have been forced to settle for a part time position, 20 hours a week, simply because of my age.
Companies will not hire a worker over the age of 50 when they are given the choice to hire them or a 23 year old, it just will not happen, regardless of the law against age discrimination.
Obviously the good "doctor" does not realize that or it would denigrate his fantasy.
Some of us live in the real world not a fantasy world.