CAREERS NOW 02-06-08

Repairs When Your Job Life's a Mess

DEAR JOYCE: My situation: No job, no college and no prospects. In the past eight years I've had so many jobs I've lost count - most of which I quit because they sucked but I've been fired a bunch of times. My mother tells me I'm headed for a career making license plates and to change my life or move out. Can you help me? - W.G.H.

I've distilled your letter to essentials but, you're right, your job life is a mess. You probably need an attitude transplant - contact Dr. Phil about that. But here are quick fixes that can buy time for you to take a closer look at what's important to accomplish in your life.

FORMER BOSS AUDIT. Put yourself in turnaround mode by asking former employers for constructive suggestions. People respond when you're genuine in asking for advice: "Now that I'm more mature, I realize I need to step up my career performance and I'd really appreciate it if you'd spend a few minutes helping me understand how to improve my work."

By listening appreciatively and not quibbling, you may uncover key factors making your work record a shambles. Tip: When a former employer is impressed with your sincerity and offers you a second chance at one of your old jobs, graciously decline - the chances of success in your second pass at a job you failed aren't favorable. But, by authentically and politely asking for advice, you may learn not only how to shape up, but improve an ex-employer's reference.

Your problems probably stem from one or more of three general areas: type of work that you've drifted into, a deficit of job skills or a lack of social skills.

TYPE OF WORK. Studying probably isn't your thing, but if you're serious about escaping from your job life squeeze, identify several career fields that could be interesting to you. Your findings may require further education, perhaps academic, more likely vocational-technical education where you would learn to do skilled work with your hands as well as with your head.

Visit vo-tech and community college counseling offices. Request help in discovering what you might like to do (most offer free or inexpensive interest testing) and the education and training you'd need to do it. Ask about formal apprenticeships as well, which allow you to earn while you learn.

If school counselors are too overworked to spend adequate time with you, ask for a referral to a volunteer coach who will point you in the right directions for career targeting.

Some large libraries offer giant collections of books and other resources to help you become aware of various types of work, as well as testing that suggests interesting possibilities for you.

Additionally, the federal government maintains a Web site, CareerVoyages (careervoyages.com), that helps you to explore career options for high growth jobs with better wages and a brighter future. It describes on-job training, apprenticeship, associates degrees and more, using career videos, career links and technology tools.

JOB SKILLS. Once you have a better idea of where you want to go and what you want to do, again reach out to libraries as well as to government One-Stop career centers (servicelocator.org) where you'll seek materials related to education and training sources.

Once you're ready to job hunt, I recommend a book that could have been written especially for you: "No One Will Hire Me: Avoid 17 Mistakes and Win the Job, Third Edition" by Ron and Caryl Krannich (impactpublications.com).

SOCIAL SKILLS. Emotional intelligence and attitude may be your biggest obstacles. Inquire about workshops or continuing education classes dealing with employability skills at the resources I've already mentioned.

BETTER FUTURE. Your jumbled work history doesn't have to be your future. Size up your hopes, make a plan to realize them, find a way to debug your interpersonal relationships and follow through with confidence.

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