As you review your job preferences and your skills and interests, you have four basic options available. They are:

• Stay in the same job in the same industry - perhaps working for a competitor
• Stay in the same type of job but in a different industry
• Look for a new position based on a new use of your skills and abilities
• Retraining, additional education to move into a new or possibly expand an existing career path

You need to make an initial decision here. It is difficult to move forward if you don't know which direction you are going. You can always re-evaluate your situation at anytime during your job search. As a matter of fact, it is a good idea to take stock and re-evaluate your situation at the end of every week. Friday afternoons are a good time to look back at the week and make an honest evaluation. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many resumes did I send out?
• How many did I follow-up on?
• How many networking calls did I make?
• How many networking interviews did I have?
• How many interviews did I have and what is their status?
• Did I mail out all the necessary thank you letters?
• Most importantly, what did I learn that I didn't know at the beginning of the week?
• Lastly, what am I going to do (and do differently) next week?

As you evaluate your situation the following checklist may be helpful in understanding what your need from a new job. You should rank each one that is appropriate on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important to you. If there are some that are not applicable, cross them out and add your own. Keep this sheet handy for future reference as well. As you go on interviews and receive offers this is a good way to compare the new job with what you had initially said was important to you.

Things To Consider in Looking for a Job:

-On-site childcare
-Flexible work hours
-Telecommuting
-Commuting distance or time
-Job sharing
-Health insurance
-Dental insurance
-Disability insurance
-401(k) Plan
-Flexible Spending Accounts
-Profit sharing
-Vacation time
-Relocation Yes/No
-Overtime
-Stability
-Job security
-To be part of a team
-To be able to create new programs/ideas/processes
-Challenging work
-Advancement
-To manage or supervise people
-To lead projects
Other things that are important to me are:
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You have within you what it takes to be all that you are capable of being. Otherwise, you would not have come this far. You have heard all of these old sayings:

"When life deals you a lemon, make lemonade."

• "Be all that you can be."
• "Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps."
• "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity." - Lou Holtz
• "If you want to succeed, you should strike out on a new path rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success." - John D. Rockefeller
• "Opportunity's favorite disguise is trouble." - Frank Tyger
• "A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner."
• "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

There are many more similar sayings, but in a very real way, they contain messages for us. Pick one or two of these that you will use to begin each and every day during your job search.

Now it's time to get started. Click on the "Next" button below.

While you are going through myEcareer, you should now have the time and should make the energy to consider your career choice. Have you indeed chosen the right career? If not, is now the right time to re-career? You may want to consider the possibility of learning new skills, going to work for a small business, or perhaps even starting or purchasing your own business.

There are many possibilities, but only you can choose. Talk with as many people as you can. If you are considering making a career change or starting your own business, ask the following questions to people already in the profession:

• Why did you choose this line of work?
• How did you get started?
• How much capital do you need?
• What kind of training do you need?
• What kinds of skills are necessary?
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• How many hours do you work each week?
• What do you like least about your business?
• Would you do it all over again?

Spend as much time as possible with this person in order to get a better understanding of the business and the profession. Maybe you will find the perfect new career path for yourself.

Making a change can be done in a variety of ways. You might have to commit to getting some additional training. This goal can be achieved by investigating opportunities at local community/technical colleges. Many of these institutions have programs in place geared to training people for jobs required by local industries. Check out these possibilities. Several education resource links are provided at the left menu or by clicking the link below

Educational Links:

Additional training can also be gained by an apprenticeship in a particular field. Such on-the-job training may be the best source for learning a technically complex skill or trade. Your earnings may be somewhat reduced during this learning period, but the end result may prove to be extremely profitable.

While you are planning your future and conducting your job search, use time to improve or increase your skill set. Maybe you have always wanted to improve your computer skills or take a course in Business Management. Maybe you would simply like to improve your keyboarding skills. Whatever your interests are, you should take action now. Additional courses and training will always look good on your resume and help you prepare for your future.

Click on the "Next" butto

n below to start looking at the Risks vs. Rewards of starting your own business.

When your new skills are in place, you will need sources for locating appropriate job opportunities. There is an extensive Job Hunting Links resource available in this program which will help you do just that. However, at this time, you may have decided that going into business for yourself is an option. If such is the case, you must carefully consider the following issues:

• Can I raise the required capital ?
• Have I thoroughly studied the business ?
• Can my family and I handle the stress ?
• Do I have the passion ?
• Can I take the risk ?
• Can I survive an economy downturn and move on ?

To determine how much capital you need, you must first complete a set of financials that should include an operating budget. Additionally, you should include purchase price (if any), inventory (if any), overhead costs--i.e. rent, insurance, workers' compensation, marketing, distribution, and so forth. Some sources suggest that you then triple the figure! A good rule of thumb is to have three to six months of operating capital.

Secondly, you should conduct a thorough study of the business you have chosen. Investigate the markets, the competition, the quality of products or services, the type of employees needed, the availability of such needs, and the financial rewards you can expect. In short, become an expert on what you are about to do. Then be prepared for the surprises that will come, no matter how carefully you have planned !

At this point in the program, you have considered future opportunities, completed a self-evaluation, and decided whether to career or re-career. You now need to write down a list of your career goals and objectives. You should not think in terms of achievements here, but rather of the type of career and/or job you wish to have in the future.

List the jobs or careers in order of priority (for example: 1-5). If you think you would like to own a business, list types in order of priority. You should include your current occupation somewhere on the list.

You have spent a great deal of necessary time and have given much thought to your skills, abilities, experience, accomplishments, and expectations. At this point in the program, you are prepared to develop a package that you will use in obtaining your future career goals. You should by now be able to determine with confidence your career objectives. With your career objective(s) as the catalyst, you should now evaluate your finances and prepare a resume. Click "Next" to begin taking a hard look at your present and future financial situation.

For more information regarding finding and securing your next position, click on the "next" link below.