This Is Your Year  Reinvent Your Career

This Is Your Year Reinvent Your Career Have you ever thought that you might have picked the wrong career path? If so, youre not alone. Ask a friend how theyended up in their career. Tzu siches a good chance they just happened to fall into it through a college internship or some network connections.You may have departureed your own career out in a similar way. But then you were on the path, you learned more, you got promoted, and you never looked back until now.Many people start to question their career paths because of life events. Perhaps you are getting a little older and would like to do something more meaningful with your time. Perhaps you need something that pays better because youre starting a family.Or maybe you just dont like your job, plain and simple.Whatever the reason behind it, the idea of a career reinvention can be daunting. Many say its virtually impossible to pull off or that career-changers have to start over from the very bottom of the corporate ladder. It is sometimes true that a career shift leads to a pay cut, but thats not a guarantee and neither is starting over from the bottom.Take the Reins You Control Your CareerThe first key to reinventing your career is to take the reins yourself. This isnt the time to fall into another career path or test something out. Rather, its time to identify possible alternative careers.Evaluate your transferable skills. What makes you great at your current job? Could you take those skills and qualities with you to another career? For example, if youre a good public speaker or know how to organize groups of people, these skills can help in all sorts of roles.Also think about the skills you have that may not be spelled out on your resume. For example, you may work at a nonprofit, but on the side, youve been investing in real estate. Make a list of the knowledge you have thats not outlined on your resume. Find ways to incorporate this information into your existing resume. Yo u might add a section for volunteering, consulting, skills, or leadership.Make a list of what youd like to learn to do in the future, and then figure out how to get there. Do you wish you knew more about computers? If so, look for classes you can take. Look for a nonprofit or small company where you might volunteer your services to learn on the job. Dont wait for your future boss to see something in you. Find it yourself and look for ways to nurture this new skill.A version of this article originally appeared in theMemphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coaching.

Job Search Tips for Veterans

Job Search Tips for Veterans Job Search Tips for Veterans Make a PlanThe first step is exploring the resources that are available to you and forming a strategy. Dont wait until after you leave the service instead, start thinking about the transition as early as possible. Psychologist Katharine Brooks recommends assessing your current situation and then looking at where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. You should also make a frank assessment of any injuries or physical limitations that will impact your job search.Make a list of your skills, the work that youd like to do, and potential employers to contact. Check out the Military to Civilian Occupation Translator, which helps service members match military skills and experience to civilian occupations.Update Your ResumeTalking about your service in civilian terms can be tough. Staffing firm Robert Half recommends skipping the acronyms and military details, and creating a resume that focuses on core competencies th at hiring managers in the civilian job market can easily understand.Whenever you make changes to your resume, its important to proofread. Ask a friend to look over it or take advantage of Grammarlys online proofreading tool. Presenting an error-free resume is an essential part of making a good impression.NetworkNetworking is one of the most essential activities for any job seeker. First, let everyone in your social network know the type of work youre looking for. Consider attending trade shows, job fairs, and other networking events just make sure you have a stack of personal business cards in hand when you go. You can get low-cost cards from companies like Vistaprint and Overnight Prints, or design and print your own using a template.There are networking opportunities specifically for veterans, too. Military.com, for example, hosts the Veteran Career Network online. Check with your local V.A. office or with other veterans you know to find opportunities in your area.Train New Skill sWhile youre searching for employment, consider refreshing your skills or developing new ones. The Bureau of Veterans Affairs has vocational rehabilitation and employment services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.Your local public library is a treasure trove of information, online training programs, and even workshops and classes. You might also explore your options for higher education using your G.I. Bill opportunity, but be wary of programs that seem to make promises that are too good to be true. No degree program can guarantee employment.Ask for Help If You Need ItThe V.A. is a good resource for ongoing assistance, but there are other organizations dedicated to connecting qualified veterans. Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide program backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help veterans find jobs.There are an increasing number of programs like Hiring Our Heroes to help veterans re-enter the workforce, and first lady Michelle Obama is spearheading the initiative. She specifically addressed female veterans, who represent 10 percent of all vets. She encouraged them to flaunt their skills, saying And believe me, you all have so much to show off. Thats the beauty of it - those years in the military set you apart from so many other candidates.As part of her program to help all veterans find meaningful employment, Obama teamed up with Coursera, an online college platform, to offer free certifications to veterans. The professional networking site LinkedIn will also offer free premium access to veterans.We here at Grammarly would like to take this opportunity to honor the men and women who have served our country. Thank you.