If you are lucky, opportunity will come knocking. Maybe you have a well-developed and strong network, a great LinkedIn profile (that makes it easy for recruiters or hiring managers to find you) and you are well known in your industry. Maybe you will provide a resume only as a formality, once you’ve already been offered the job.

If that does not describe your situation, you are in good company. Most people neglect their networks and pay no attention to materials that will support their search for something better. When is the last time you looked at your resume?

No, this is not a “get your resume ready now or you will regret it later” post. (Although, it isn’t a bad idea to get your resume and supporting materials ready now!) Instead, this post is a wake-up call to everyone who does not like their jobs.

Think about it – what exactly do you NOT like? What can you do about it? Have you been wasting away, bored at work because it is actually boring, or because you have allowed yourself to be complacent and don’t look for any new challenges? If you work at it, are there projects you could take on that will broaden what you can add to your resume? Expand its depth?

Have you fantasized about different job opportunities that are advertised and noticed whether or not you are actually qualified? What skills would be best to add to your current resume to make you more qualified for your next challenge? Have you thought about making a plan to get those skills?

For example, you notice that team leadership seems to come up in every job description, but you haven’t really led any teams. Maybe it’s time to volunteer to head up a program or to engage with a group where you can take a leadership role. (This may even be a volunteer opportunity outside of work. If it is significant and successful, you can include it in your experience.)

Or, maybe there is a specific credential or skill set you are missing. Maybe now is the time to take some training or to pursue those goals. Showing interest in improving your skills is a great way to be a leader at work. It may also help propel you to a whole new adventure!

You may be surprised, but taking some initiative and engaging in a plan to mindfully move from here to there may actually make you like your job a little more. More importantly, it will help set you up for what is next, and we all know that one of the only things we can count on in work is change.

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Making a change can be tough. I can help! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by jasoHill

The post What to do if you are unhappy at your job appeared first on Keppie Careers.

You have one foot out the door. When is a good time to tell your current boss that you’d rather not work for him or her anymore (for whatever reason), and that you are looking for a new job?

The short answer – when you give your notice!

While there are certainly specific circumstances when discussing your plans to leave might be prudent (for example, if you work for a family member and want to be sure they don’t disown you), typically, it isn’t a good idea to let everyone know that you have one foot (literally or figuratively) out the door.

Why, you ask?  If everyone knows that you’d rather be somewhere else, you are less likely to be assigned interesting work. You probably won’t take on additional leadership roles and may very well be stuck right where you are (career wise) until you manage to find another job. The fact is, that could very well take a long time.

Being candid about wanting another position may seem like the right thing, but the fact is, unless you are at the point of needing your current boss to provide a reference for another opportunity (which usually means that you almost have the new job), talking about your plans to leave goes under the category of TMI – too much information.

Now, giving appropriate notice to your employer is a different story. Most workers can appropriately offer two weeks notice. Some, in more responsible positions, may be required by their contract to provide a longer period of time, and in some industries, workers don’t give any notice because they are not  welcome at work once they announce their intention to leave. (This is typical on Wall Street, for example, where employees are led out of the building by security once they announce their plans to leave.)

So, do the right thing. When you’re at work, give it your all. Do your job, and do what you can to continue to build your resume and list of accomplishments while you are still working at your current job. You’ll thank me later!

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Need help to jump start your search? We can help you with a successful job hunt. Need a great resume? Career search advice? Mock interivew? Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services: www.keppiecareers.com.

photo by aripeskoe2

The post When Should You Tell Your Employer You are Looking for a Job? appeared first on Keppie Careers.