I’m working part-time and going to college full-time. I think what’s hindering me from getting the job I want is lacking the academic credentials and the potential of failure. :/
A skill-set suitcase is defined by how you’ve handled yourself or other people in the various experiences you’ve had in your life.

As always, you offer great, inspiring advice that EVERYONE should take part in, or else, just be aware of. =]

The only thing that came to mind for me was the talents vs. skills question. I see skills as something you can learn, improve upon, gather through education either formally or on the job. But talents – I see that as something you have to have an innate predisposition for and then of course can improve upon.

Some may say this is only in the creative industries – you can’t be an opera singer without some innate ability – but I think it applies to other areas as well. Some people are born leaders and will naturally be a better fit in leadership positions than those who had to simply learn it along the way. Not to say you can’t learn, just that there are some areas where many of us might find ourselves starting with a handicap.

Great post Rebecca – very thought provoking!

@ Jules – I too have learned more by job-hunting, but I think you can also learn by sticking to one job. It’s the mindset as you mention that if you’re hungry for success, you’ll reach it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I feel that most humans, if they want something badly enough, will find ways and means to procure it.

There will always be those who are hungry for success and mobility, and I’m pretty sure their hunger gives them the energy to go get what they want (I’m a hungry one). :)

I learnt far more from job-hopping or rather being headhunted than I would have by sticking to one job. As you say employers look for people who can bring in results.

Dealing with people isn’t easy or pretty, but I think what has helped me a lot is that I treat people the way I’d want to be treated. A simple way of life, yet so effective both in personal and professional life.

@ Marian – I’m with you – the idea that everything is connected and systems thinking are both themes that I think a lot about and apply them to my career. I think if more people did, they’d be happier.

@ David – I love research and it’s easy to delve into a new field with that idea. The co-founders of Alice have a recurring theme – disintermediation in industries to bring more value back to the consumer, but have delved into completely new industries with each start-up they create. Smart guys : )

@ Jaym – Sorry to hear about your troubles! I think if you just took it one tiny step at a time you may be able to get to your end destination easier. Sometimes it’s not about jumping into a new career right away but taking those baby steps.

@ Lance – Yes, good distinction – I agree with you that it’s demonstrated results. But you don’t need to have those demonstrated results in some special job. I continually go back to the lessons and results from the job I had throughout college – it’s probably prepared more for any job than any other job I’ve had since.

@ Thanh – Love those thoughts. I too agree that you don’t need to be an entrepreneur or career renegade to be happy in your career. I know many, many individuals in large, established companies that are extremely happy. Which is good news for those who may secretly want to be a salesperson or insurance agent or something : )

I believe that today and the future to come have so much opportunities to be traditional or not. The big point is that one is responsible and happy with their choice.

They are looking for people who have demonstrated sustained results. And the higher up you go, the more critical those past results are to your future.

With respect to Ms. Bartz, she gained her position at Yahoo based on that. The demonstrative part.

So can you have any job you want? Probably not. Some jobs (like President of the US) are practically statistical and situational flukes. But can you have most jobs? Yes. Eventually.

Experience matters. Not necessarily the rigid way we often use to think of experience (which I do agree with you on). And results matter. Not just one or two years of results. Multiple years of results, under different circumstances and market pressures led to Ms. Bartz taking over Yahoo.

I’m almost 38, and have been unemployed 8 years because of a combination of suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder and losing my former career (Virtual Reality/Multimedia Development for Training) due to how the entire industry is run (inappropriate deadlines, 7 days a week work, office politics, etc.)

I’d need to switch careers, but can’t go back to school because I have a degree, so I’m not eligible for a grant. (Can’t go into debt with loans, if they’d clear my credit rating.)

My experiences were all niche tools, etc. If I try to hire for web development, a company is going to take one of the thousands of college grads fully fluent in 12 scripting languages over me, with knowledge over the deveopment cycle.

Ideally, I’d love to be able to develop games. Well, there ate no game studios in my city. Besides not wanting to move, moving is not automatic. You must have a place to move, moving costs, first/last month’s rent, security deposit, etc. Also a good credit rating- (mine was destroyed by an employer not paying me over $7800.)

I’ve been stuck for 8 years trying to figure out what I can do, and can’t solve the issue. Those who can run blindly into an entirely new career are a rare breed, and some of us will never have that ability!