04.02.15 YOUR CAREER: HOW TO STAY MARKETABLE

My coworker thought it'd be funny to take a picture of me leaving with a Bankers Box full of my things. Yes, that is a yoga-cat calendar. And yes, that's a massive bag of mini eggs...

In a previous post I talked about how I quit my job. For those of you who don't know, I was an assistant buyer for a big retail company. I spent three years there, and I can't say that it was an easy decision to quit. It's hard to realize that you're on a career path that you don't really want. It takes a lot of soul searching, but I finally got there. I realized I wanted to go back into marketing (what I studied).

Before I was applying for jobs, I worried I wasn't relevant anymore. Why would someone want to hire me? My work experience was specific to buying. How do I get myself into the career I want?

HOW TO STAY MARKETABLE WHILE CHANGING CAREERS:

ONE. Make the most of your current position, even if it isn't what you want. Get as much on your resume as you can. Keep examples of your projects, and their results. Leave a lasting impression on your coworkers and bosses. Chances are you will need a reference from someone some day.

TWO. Volunteer your time. Do freelance work if it's appropriate. Get experience in the industry you'd like to move into. I was lucky that I did some volunteer marketing work for a friend's business (Castellammare Jewellery). My new employer found this very interesting, and it was probably one of the biggest drivers for me getting the position.

THREE. Focus on your transferrable skills. If you don't have a lot of experience relating to your dream job, what useful and relevent skills and abilities did you develop? Make sure to highlight these, how you were able to strengthen them, and how they can help you in your new position.

FOUR. Further education. Going back to school isn't always fun, but employers love to see that you're keeping your education current. This is a tip from a friend of mine - she does a great job taking courses and getting certificates to enhance her career and skill-set. How far are you from your dream job? You may only need a course or two, or you may need to invest more time. It depends on where you are and what kind of education is expected for the position.

Anything is possible. If you're unhappy in your current job, there are opportunities everywhere. You just need to have faith, stay positive and keep your eye on the prize. I promise, it's worth it in the end.

03.13.15 I QUIT MY JOB.

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This week I quit my job.

I handed in my two weeks notice, blindsiding my colleagues and bosses.  "Do you even know how far you can go here?" "You are so close to a promotion, why?" "Do you even know what you're giving up?" These are just a few of the questions that I've been fending off and trying to answer during this whirlwind of a week.

The truth is, I'm taking a hard look at my life. What do I want? Where do I want to be? And more importantly, what will make me happy? These are all such difficult questions to answer for someone with little experience in life, but I'm trying to do the best I can.

The job I was in was challenging, motivating and fast-paced. It fit me perfectly... Until it became a little too demanding. It's a cyclical business, and at one point during the heavy season, I didn't feel well, was getting headaches, and was getting dizzy. During this time, I was working 12+ hour days, running at 110% for months on end, and when I was finally home, I was too tired to do anything. When it all stopped about a month later, I realized it was stress. My body was doing a pretty darn good job telling me I needed to step back.

I realized I needed to make a change. I needed better work-life balance. I needed something that I could really enjoy. I was looking for jobs, but only applying to what I was truly interested in. Going back to my marketing roots, I accepted a position earlier this week. It's a different career path with its own challenges, but with a less demanding schedule.

Now the anxiety is starting to set in. What if I hate this job? What if I'm not challenged enough? The pace is very different, what if I can't get used to it? The company is going through challenges, so I'm giving up a very secure job for something much riskier- am I crazy?

Every life decision comes with its challenges. Changing jobs is difficult - much more difficult than I anticipated. I've gone through all the emotions: fear, sadness, excitement... I'm terrified that I'm making a huge mistake, but I have to remember to keep it in perspective: I'm not going to die, it will be a learning experience, and above all, I did this for a reason. I can't ever forget the reason why.

Have you ever quit a job before? Did you find it difficult?