Out of a job? 10 ways to re-invent yourself.

[Filo3030]

My name is Mike.
I am as far along with my website only as a result of Chirstianpf.com.


One of the greatest attributes of freedom and liberty in this Country is the ability to recreate ones self. Not in the sense of identity, but in the sense of ability and job skills. Even the great inventor Thomas Edison had to recreate himself after so many failures in perfecting the light bulb. ..."I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."

However, this is the 21st century and your only duty is to re-invent your skill set to make yourself more marketable for the few jobs out there. The first thing I would recommend is to establish the skills you currently rely on daily. Then write down these skills sets on a ledger, placing your strongest ones first and your weaker ones last. Don't be afraid to consult with a friend, spouse or family member about your skill sets to make certain you have not missed any. Here is how mine might look.

Marketing
Sales
Networking
Public Relations
Writing
Computer software (Excel, Word, ACT)
Computer Hardware

I rely on each one of these skill sets on a daily basis as a commercial real estate broker. If I were to lose any one of these skills overnight, I might have a problem making enough money to put food on the table. But I work on these skills everyday and I need to put even more work into them. That is precisely why I decided to start a blog. Just think of how many skill sets are required in developing a successful blog. (I'm not there yet!)

Now it's time to re-invent yourself. Here how you should to proceed.

Read, read & read some more. Read everything you can on the subject you have identified as your number one skill set. You'll be amazed at how much information is out there about the subjects you are looking for.

Go back to school-You can take a couple of classes online, or during night school or you could even finish up that college degree you decided not to pursue 20 years ago.

Intern-If you decided sales is the career for you, but no one is willing to hire you because of the lack of experience, then you can look into an intern position. Usually, intern position pay very little, but the experience is well worth the effort and often times the position can turn into a full-time job.

Volunteer-Volunteer work can offer excellent experience. No pay, but you could take the experience away to a position which does pay.

Join a Club-If I really wanted to better my chess game, I would join a chess club. Yes, I'm a chess nerd at heart and I love the game.

Network-My wife really wants to get into medical transcription, but she has not had any practical experience and really doesn't know where to start. She has been networking like crazy with all of her friends, family, and co-workers and she actually found a good friend that can help her out and she didn't even know it.

Join Professional Organization-There is an trade or professional organization for every profession out there.

Attend Seminars-Seminars are excellent places to learn and to be with like-minded professional

Go to a conference, summit or trade show-They happen all the time all across the country.

Write a blog-This is truly my 'to do' list over the next several weeks.

[Gary Barzel]

A great list you compiled there. I would also add talk to people, although that can be considered networking it's crucial that you talk to everyone you know and let them know you are looking for a new job. It may be embarrassing for some to let people know they were laid off, but the positive side of letting people know you are out there and looking far outweighs the embarrassment.