What’s your personal “common thread” in your CV?
Are you looking for a job or planning a career change? Are you struggling with your CV? Whatever the reason, let me remind you: every stage of your life is important, even if you may not believe it (yet!). I am going to give you some ideas of what you can do to get the most out of your CV and present yourself in the best possible way.
Thinking outside the box
Over the past nine years of female career coaching, I have often encountered women who at some point in their professional lives were struggling with their jobs. Some felt their career path had taken a wrong turn, others that they weren’t “quite there yet” and some were simply out of a job and considering their next steps.
Something that always pays off is to think outside the box and consider not only one’s education and job experience but also one’s life experience. What are the things or even minor jobs that we pay little attention to because they seem irrelevant or simply a diversion?
Let me share two examples with you.
Monica started her professional career in the hotel business and eventually became a managing director of a large hotel with responsibility for more than 50 employees. She was in her forties when she left the hotel business and became self-employed as an insurance broker with a focus on financial advisory. A few years on she realized that what she enjoyed most about her job was the consulting part rather than the acquisition of clients.
When she came to me, she was ready for a change but at the same time insecure and without a concrete plan. During a process that took several weeks, Monica put everything on paper that helped shape her new job. She realized that the “common thread” in her life was talking to people, taking care of them, guiding them and learning about their lives and personal situations.
She then underwent the necessary training and became a career coach with focus on unemployed people. Some of them have financial problems or legal issues and this is where her previous knowledge comes in very handy.
My second example is Michelle who worked very successfully in sales for many years before falling ill. At the age of 29, doctors told her she would eventually end up in a wheelchair. After an ordeal of doctors and painkillers, Michelle gave up her job and realized she must radically transform her lifestyle. Due to her husband’s business she moved to Asia, where she was fortunate enough to have access to alternative treatment and learned about plant-based nutrition. It took many years but eventually Michelle not only cured her illness but also became a nutritional expert. With the appropriate formal education, she has recently started her own business as a nutritionist where she can also benefit from her business background in selling her service.
Do you know your skills?
What is your personal situation? Have you sufficiently dealt with your potential? Really? With EVERYTHING you can do, even the supposedly non job-relevant skills and abilities? With your soft skills? With all the things that make YOU you? With the HOW rather than the WHAT?
What is your personal “common thread”?
I have put together 5 steps in a PDF document that will help you create a CV you are comfortable with. Write everything down. Make it colorful, use pictures if you like and make it emotionally engaging. You can also create a vision board if you prefer. Take your time – it’s a process! And yes, it is work and it can be very exhausting to deal with yourself but exactly THAT is so immensely important and valuable when you’re seeking a job or facing a career change.
You will have a more complete and coherent picture of yourself and what you want to do next. Writing job applications and conducting job interviews will be much easier for you as you will be clear about who you are, what you can contribute and what you want. You’ll pleasantly surprise yourself as you move through the process, I promise!
By the way, “Connecting the dots” was coined by Steve Jobs in a speech he gave at Stanford University. I warmly recommend you take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc&t=3s
Let yourself be inspired and stay curious! I wish you joy in connecting your own life dots.
BIO
Anca Weyer is a VFN member, career coach and resilience trainer. She has a good understanding of the Austrian labour market and topics related to the AMS (Austrian Labour Service). Anca is an experienced Human Design Matrix coach. You can find further details at http://www.anca-weyer.at/geniusreport_en/.