By Priscilla Poirier, Toronto Technology Recruiter
If you are considering making a career change, the odds are you plan to or have confided in someone you trust to get some job search tips. Perhaps you’ve asked a mentor, trusted colleague, or even Mom or Dad for tips.
Even though they may have good intentions, they could actually be providing you with advice that could hurt your job search rather than help it.
You hear this frequently: Follow your passion and you will never work a day in your life. It’s a nice concept, and it works for some people. But there is a lot more to it. Many people don’t realize their passion or have a career focus until after they’ve completed college and started working. Before you can follow your passion, understand which qualifications you need and steps you need to take before you can turn your passion into a realistic career option.
Remember, what you are passionate about and what you are good at can be very different. For example, you may have a passion for basketball, but this doesn’t mean you should focus on trying to make it to the NBA.
Applying for every job that you are remotely qualified for doesn’t guarantee you will find a job. It could actually hurt your chances. Less is more. Focus on finding a select few positions you really want and focus your time and efforts on the application process. You are better off spending hours applying for the job you really want than trying to apply for as many jobs as possible.
When you ask people for job search advice, you can also expect to get a fair share of personal opinions. People may tell you to stay away from startups because they are unstable. They may also tell you to stay away from large companies because they are stagnant and boring. So, who are your supposed to work for?
Any type of company can be a great opportunity and career choice. You just need to make sure it fits your career path and provides you with the opportunity you are seeking.
Do You Suck as a Job Candidate? 5 Things Bad Candidates Do
Be Careful What You Say! The Real Effects of Badmouthing in an Interview
What to Do When an Interview Is Going Really Badly
IQ PARTNERS is an Executive Search & Recruitment firm supporting clients across the country. We help companies hire better, hire less & retain more. We have specialist teams of recruiters in Technology (IT), Accounting and Finance, Consumer Goods, eCommerce and Retail, Financial Services and Insurance, Startup, Cannabis, Big Data, B2B and Industrial, Operations and HR, Professional Services and Legal, Media, Digital and Marketing, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Emerging Technology and Telecom, and Sales. IQ PARTNERS has its head office in Toronto and operates internationally via Aravati Global Search Network. Click here to view current job openings and to register with us.
Priscilla is a Recruitment Consultant whose primary focus is recruiting for contract positions within the IT, Finance, and HR functions. With more than four years of experience as a specialized contract recruiter, within the IT & Finance sectors, Priscilla truly enjoys what she does. She loves that recruitment allows her to meet amazing new people every day, and is thrilled when she can make someone’s day by letting them know they GOT THE JOB!