From ‘odd jobs’ to 'even careers'

As the economy is shifting stance and changing its focus, lot of people and new migrants find themselves working in odd jobs to make ends meet. As a 'Job Search Career Coach' in my business ‘Careers Reborn’, I keep meeting them every day.

So if you are a qualified professional currently in an odd job, how do you move back out from an odd job, into your own career stream?

First thing is to seek professional help. If you are feeling sick you go to a Dr, then seek medicine, if your career is sick why would you try to wing it? Grin and bear it? Those days when people did not share lack of work or job loss information are long gone. Chances are the things have changed in the job market or you are new to this job market, but you can have no idea how that does affect your career or job prospects. Like a Dr prescribes proper medicines, a career professional can discuss options and advice you what to do. In fact, sometimes he can give you more options than you even dreamt of!

Secondly, treat your odd job with respect. Learn and do it properly with dignity. There is nothing wrong with an odd job. What can be an odd job for one person maybe the right dream job for someone else. Remain professional. You would get noticed and things tend happen. While doing this keep learning new skills and searching for roles. After migrating, a client of mine was working in a fabrication company in an odd job from which machinery supplies were taking place for a new project. After our discussion, I found out for him the right contact, the end client who actually had that project and was looking for professional maintenance engineer. Since he already knew all the details of machinery, his odd job experience was actually preferred for the role.

Thirdly, you may need to educate and re-skill yourself. Chances are as the economy has changed and some key skills requirements have also changed. You may have some skills that are still useful, but may need to learn or re-skill yourself in other or related areas to get back into the job market.

Another client of mine who after being made redundant, was working in a factory driving forklifts unloading machinery. While doing that, for a month his boss had to go away on an emergency and asked someone to raise their hand to help out. While others shrugged it off, I suggested my client to do it. He had to handle all the documentation for goods inwards and outwards as well as learn MIS systems input.  It was difficult, but he did it. After a  few months, in the big new company opening next door a role came up for a Supply Chain Coordinator. They wanted someone who had hands on knowledge of forklifts combined with MIS! He now works for this next door company!

One important point is to do something. Take action and consult a professional. Things wont and don’t change by themselves. Just changing your resume and applying for more jobs does not necessarily bring in results. It may in fact, add to your frustration. Lastly, you have put in the hard yards to get that professional education, put it to good use. Don’t give up on your dreams so easily