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Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.

Change is inevitable. Change is constant.
Benjamin Disraeli

For you change might be needed because the job you had will never exist again, you are unhappy in your current job, you want to start your own business, or you made a wrong career choice and want to start a completely different career. We can never get over the fear that these changes evoke, what we can do is to manage the situation to get through our fears and move on.

 Here are five tips to help you manage the change process and thus get through your natural fears when facing a change of careers.

1. Define your ideal job

What is dissatisfying about your current or past jobs? What are your recurring interests? What is your desirable work environment? What are your passions? How much income do you need?  Write these down.

2. Objectively define your transferable strengths and skills

What do you do best? When others think about you, how would they describe you? What evidence do you have that these are your strengths and skills? Define you 5-8 transferable strengths and skills. Write these down.

 3. Investigate alternative career

The internet is an excellent source of information, don’t stop here, talk to people doing your ideal jobs, there is no substitute for first hand, personal information. Some of the questions to ask: how did they land this job, what are the keys to success, any down sides or frustrations with this job?

 4. Make a plan that takes your financial needs into account

Outlines your steps and financial requirements,  Will your new career require additional training, outside financial assistance, relocation, time off from work, relocation. There is comfort in being prepared, being prepared means having a solid plan and access to the resources necessary to execute that plan.

 5. Keep positive and motivated

Write down your negative thoughts and each time you find yourself thinking or saying something that reinforces your fear, write down the corresponding positive statement. Replace, “I think I can’t….” with “I think I can…” Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in you—talk about your reservations and how they can be managed. Remember you have a choice to be happy or unhappy, positive or negative.

Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.

Before you jump into a recommendation on sites like Linkedin think about this:  Does your company have a policy against it?  For example one company has a policy that says managers aren’t allowed to write any type of recommendation—virtual or not—for an employee. Because an electronic reference lives online, it actually lasts longer and may have greater effect than a letter or phone call. You may be opening yourself up to potential legal problems if you knowingly write a positive recommendation for someone you know has done something wrong. If asked to write a recommendation you can always opt out with “it’s our policy not to.”  If you’re looking for recommendations consider asking your colleagues instead of your boss.

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph.D.
The processes and tools for career planning are time tested and proven.  What is needed is the personal conviction and discipline to work the process.  Conviction and discipline is reinforced by a set of Career Club International’s eight personal principles or beliefs that are central to the entire effort.
Effective Career Planning:

Is [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph.D.
According to Peter Drucker, noted Management Consultant—Most Americans do not know what their strengths are.  When you ask, they look at you with a blank stare, or they respond in terms of subject knowledge, which is the wrong answer.
Our own experience conducting career workshops confirms his view.  People have a hard [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.
We’re all familiar with networking either through social networking sites like Linkedin or through people we know on a local level. Developing and managing your contacts is best when it is part of a daily routine, not when it is used all at once and must carry the burden of [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.
One study concluded that, “Mutual support groups are just as effective as meeting one-on-one with a trained counselor.”* Richard Nelson Bolles in the 2009 What Color is Your Parachute assert that working in a group with other job-hunters has a 84% success rate.  All this at a fraction of the [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.
The NPR June 17, 2009 Morning Edition segment asserts that the paper resume is laughably passé, at least in some circles. Not having a profile on the social networking site LinkedIn is, for some employers, not only a major liability but a sign that the candidate is horribly out of [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D.
“A sense of belonging,” writes Dr. Kenneth Pelletier of the Stanford Center for Research and Disease Prevention, “appears to be a basic human need—as basic as food and shelter. In fact, social support may be one of the critical elements distinguishing those who remain healthy from those who become ill.”
We [...]

By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph. D. 
If there is any doubt about the value of your contacts in identifying and putting you in touch with the hiring person at your targeted organization, consider:
Researchers analyzed 30 billion Microsoft Messenger instant messages sent among 180 million people from around the world.  They concluded that any two people are, [...]

 By Matt M. Starcevich, Ph.D.
In these rough economic times many find themselves facing a new experience—unemployed and at a loss for what to do.  Three books were written during the Great Depression of the 30’s to address this very problem*. All three are summarized at http://www.careerclubsinternational.com/freeresources.html
The central solution for the unemployed is being able to [...]