Business > Your Skills and How to Market Yourself
Evaluating your transferable skills
As an experienced worker, or even if you are coming back to the workforce after a break, you will have developed many skills and abilities based on your experience, which are not dependent on education. These skills which may have been obtained in previous jobs, or as a parent or homemaker, are valuable in many different work situations. The following resources will help you to identify these skills and advise you how they can be transferred when you are considering a change of profession, developing your resume, or preparing for an interview.
Useful websites
AARP
This is part of the AARP-American Association of Retired Persons site which was identified in our Getting started section. Experienced workers can identify their skills and discover how they can be transferred to new work assignments, or help make the transition to a new career.
Although based in Auckland, Career Analysts offer a number of programmes to individuals including career E-coaching which is available via email, mail and/or telephone for solving career management problems. DBM New Zealand
Their services include individual and group career transition programmes and change programmes. Click on links through to articles about career transition and change. Transferable skills : bringing your skills to a new career A useful article by Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com. The page contains links to other articles on the subject, including a worksheet and examples.
Transferable skills gained outside the workforce
Library resources
Hire Me, Inc. : interviews that get offers / Roy J. Blitzer.
Competency-based resumes : how to bring your resume to the top of the pile / by Robin Kessler and Linda A. Strasburg.
Go put your strengths to work: six powerful steps to achieve outstanding performance / Marcus Buckingham.
The New Zealand guide to transferable skills: discover your most versatile skills for today's job market / Christine Dekker.
Where have I gone right? : the Right Mountain guide to getting the job and life you want / Jim Hayhurst.
Upgrading your skills
If you feel your computer or technology skills are outdated, or if you have been working in a job which did not require computer skills, or wish to move into a completely new field, you may need to upgrade your skills. The Central Library holds university and polytechnic calendars for full-time, part-time or distance education study, as well as information on other courses offered in your community. Night classes are run at many of the local polytechnics or high schools. Many of these have a presence on the web.
Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Here is a general introduction to what courses they offer.
Wellington High School Adult and Community classes
Either view the course index online or pick up a brochure at your local library.
Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec) 2011prospectus
Wellington Institute of Technology provides an extensive range of nationally and internationally recognised qualifications, including certificate, diploma and degree programmes. Weltec runs a number of business focused courses as well as a number of free computer courses and summer semester courses.
The programme is sponsored by Microsoft and is a free internet and computer training for adults. It is designed for anyone with basic computer knowledge to develop their skills a step further in areas of direct relevance to their work and life
Marketing yourself, resumés etc
n today's competitive workplace, one has to be able to produce an effective and professional resume, as well as being seen to be well prepared and confident in an interview situation. These skills may be difficult for those of us who are not used to having to sell our skills or praise ourselves. Also, more mature workers may need to overcome an employer's prejudices. A good way of showing that you are familiar with new technologies is having a resume that is scannable and adaptable to email. This section has links to web sites which can help you with writing resumes and interview preparation, as well as showing you what is held in this library.
Library resources
Books
Acing the interview : how to ask and answer the questions that will get you the job / Tony Beshara.
Be prepared! : pass that job interview / Julie-Ann Amos.
101 smart questions to ask on your interview / Ron Fry.
Killer CVs & hidden approaches: give yourself an unfair advantage in the job market / Graham Perkins.
Resumes that get shortlisted : proven strategies to get the job you want / Jim Bright & Joanne Earl.
Resumes for mid-career job changes : with sample cover letters/ by the editors of McGraw-Hill.
Interview skills that win the job : simple techniques for answering all the tough questions / Michael Spiropoulos.
The job search solution : the ultimate system for finding a great job now! / Tony Beshara.
Knockout interview answers : 52 brilliant ideas to make job hunting a piece of cake / Ken Langdon and Nikki Cartwright.
Use the following subject browse terms to search the library catalogue:
Resumes (Employment)
Employment interviewing or
Job interviews (will produce the same result)
Shelf search
Use this call number to browse the library shelves for other items: 650.14
Website links
Resume links - AARP-American Association of Retired Persons
Lists five types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination, electronic and modified letter. Select a format that best highlights your job history and skills as they relate to your current career status.
Quintessential Careers: Resume Tutorial
Networking and the hidden job market
Although there are many employment sites on the internet, it is useful to remember that growing numbers of people find their new job through the hidden job market - i.e. through contacts. This is one area where experienced workers have an advantage through years of connections, both personal and professional. Volunteering is a good way to enlarge your network of contacts, whilst allowing you to help a cause.
Library resources
Books
LinkedIn for dummies / by Joel Elad.
A foot in the door: networking your way into the hidden job market / Katharine Hansen.
How to create your own luck : the "you never know" approach to networking, taking chances, and opening yourself to opportunity / Susan Roane.
How to find a job after 50: from part-time to full-time, from career moves to new careers / Betsy Cummings.
Network with confidence : how to make the most of your business contacts / Daphne Clifton.
The rules of networking / Rob Yeung.
Ultimate job search : invaluable advice on networking, CVs, cover letters, interviews, psychometric tests and follow-up strategies / Lynn Williams.
Tap the hidden job market: finding the jobs that are not advertised / Pauline Charleston.
Shelf help
Use the following subject browse terms to search the library catalogue for other items:-
Business networks
Career development
Social Networks
Useful websites
About.com articles on networking
Dress for success Wellington
Provides interview suits, confidence boosts and career development to more than 30,000 women in over 70 cities internationally each year. Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization which helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce. They are always looking for women interested in helping in a variety of ways including repairing garments and fundraising.
Her Business Networks
The networks have existed throughout New Zealand for over ten years. Her Business Group is the national sponsor, coordinator and administer of the Her Business Networks and maintains the philosophy of the original Wise Women Networks in providing opportunities for women who are seriously interested in self employment to get together, and to encourage and learn from one another through regular meetings. There is an annual subscription fee which entitles you to a variety of discounts and services.
New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women Inc
A unique social venture dedicated to researching, understanding and addressing the needs of all professional working women in New Zealand. See their "so you want to be a better networker" article
New Zealand Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Volunteers help to maintain and improve New Zealand's ecology, including natural bush areas, parks, reserves, wildlife, waterways, walkways, urban and rural landscape.
Volunteer Wellington
Volunteer Wellington, is an independent non-profit organisation and provides the essential voluntary workforce needed to maintain and sustain the work of more than 250 community based and not-for-profit organisations in the greater Wellington region. Volunteer Wellington also assists and trains organisations in the management of volunteers, to enhance the experience for both the organisation and the volunteer.
Volunteering New Zealand
This is the National Association for the Promotion of Volunteering in the community, with links to many agencies who use volunteers.
WWF Volunteers
Volunteers are encouraged to initiate and participate in education, public awareness, practical conservation and fundraising events.
Alternative work arrangements
In today's working environment, the notion that one has a permanent full-time job, with its associated benefits is rapidly becoming outdated. For many people in a growing number of sectors, this concept has been replaced with short or long term contract work being more common; along with a shift to self-employment and consultancy.
Library resources
Books
What next? : your career-change companion / Kaye Fallick (2010)
"If the work you are doing is no longer doing it for you, but you feel uncertain about how to change your situation this is the perfect book for you. And you are not alone, either. Thousands of people aged 45-64 are experiencing a new life stage not a mid-life crisis so much as a turning point as they consider their options moving from full-time traditional careers or homemaker roles. What Next? brings together a wealth of practical information and real-life stories as it looks at all levels of the decision-making process such as understanding current workplace trends, how to work out exactly what you want to do next, how to start building your new career, and how to manage your finances and your time as you explore all the options available. What Next? is for those who want to change gear rather than retire or carry on in an unfulfilling role." (Amazon.co.uk)
Flying solo : how to go it alone in business / Robert Gerrish & Sam Leader
"Working for yourself is fast becoming the characteristic work style of the 21st century - there's never been a better time to turn your dreams of independence into reality. Flying Solo is the complete guide to breaking out on your own and gives you the tools you need to plan and start your own solo venture, or totally overhaul and rejuvenate one that's been ticking along for years. Combining motivational and practical advice, Flying Solo explores the habits and behaviours of successful soloists; explodes some of the myths of marketing, time management and networking; and explains how to thrive as an independent professional." (Book cover)
Go freelance : how to succeed at being your own boss.
"Deciding to leave the security of a permanent job and go freelance is a brave decision - and is not to be taken lightly. However, as long as you manage your time, work-flow, contacts, and money, it may turn out to be the best career move you ever made! Go freelance is packed with essential advice, including: Working out when it's time to move onDo you have the right skills to be your own boss?Finding new workNetworking to market yourself and your skillsManaging work-flowManaging your timeLooking after your accounts Also included are: a self-assessment quiz; step-by-step guidance and action points; top tips; common mistakes and advice on how to avoid them; summaries of key points; and lists of further resources." (Amazon.co.uk)
Consulting / Anne Hipkiss.
Consulting for dummies / by Bob Nelson and Peter Economy.
The everything alternative careers book : leave the office behind and embark on a new adventure! / James Mannion.
Freelancing for Australians for dummies / Susan M. Drake and Monica Davidson.
Kitchen table millionaire / Catriona MacLennan.
Leave the b@$t@*d$ behind : an insider's guide to working for yourself / Richard Maun.
Catalogue Quicksearches:
Useful websites
- Her Business Networks
The networks have existed throughout New Zealand for over ten years. Her Business Group is the national sponsor, coordinator and administer of the Her Business Networks and maintains the philosophy of the original Wise Women Networks in providing opportunities for women who are seriously interested in self employment to get together, and to encourage and learn from one another through regular meetings. However, there seem to be no networks up and running in the lower North Island or Wellington at this stage. There is an annual subscription fee which entitles you to a variety of discounts and services. - The Career Guide to Industries (US Dept. of Labor)
provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of organizations that can provide additional information and is the companion guide to the Occupational Outlook Handbook mentioned in Getting Started - Teleworking
Telework New Zealand works to prepare for, and take advantage of, change -- by creating and controlling flexible work environments. Their work includes implementing and managing best-practice "telework" programmes, policies and strategies -- for Government, for employers, for community organisations, and for individuals. - Work-Life Balance
This Department of Labour site provides access to resources/information, links to New Zealand research and access to national and international websites. - What you need to know about career planning
- Work and Age Trust (NZ) Inc. (Nework Centre)
The Trust has defined its purpose as "to stimulate mature people to take control of their work life directions and to foster their personal growth." with the vision of "having people of all ages building strong communities through meaningful work".
