How to Begin a New Career, from Career Change Guide Section IV – Closure and New Beginning

Mike Schoettle, author of Career Change Guide, wants to help you make a successful career change at any age. These are Mike Schoettle’s recommended actions from Section 4 of his career change book. Once you’ve landed a job in your new career field, he teaches you how to begin a new career and get off to the best possible start. Learn from Mike how to begin your new career, and more.

In final interviews, compensation, benefits, and related subjects should be fully discussed.

Career Change Guide Preview: Recommended Actions following Chapter 12 – Compensation & References

Enter a compensation discussion in depth only if there is a good chance that an offer will be extended.

1. Use the hiring organization’s compensation structure as the framework.
2. Surface special issues and/or questions you have.

Give out your references.

1. Give references’ information late in the process.
2. Prepare your references for a call from someone in the organization.
3. If the hiring organization does not want to call your references, try to find out why not.

Recommended Actions following Chapter 13 – Getting an Offer or Not

If you receive a good offer:

1. Call your new boss, accept the offer and work out a start date, giving yourself time to decompress.
2. Send a letter accepting the offer.
   1. Thank your references for their support.
   2. Contact all those who helped in your search.
   3. Share your news and thank them.
   4. Let the ones you most respect know that you want to stay in touch with them.
   5. Take a short vacation.

If you receive a marginal offer:

1. Let the hiring manager know:
   1. You would like to join the team.
   2. You think that your services are worth more than the offer.
   3. If you think it would be appropriate, share what your research disclosed.
2. Ask if some adjustment could be made to the offer.
3. Try to maintain a positive dialogue and be flexible. (In the end, you may accept the offer.)

If you receive an unacceptable offer:

1. Let the hiring manager know your feelings and explain your thoughts about the offer.
2. Ask if the offer might be increased to what you think is an appropriate level.
3. If not, politely decline the offer.

If you do not receive an offer:

1. Let the hiring manager know that you appreciated the time they devoted to you and wish them well.
2. Consider the process you went through.
   1. What you learned about yourself.
   2. The experience you gained.
   3. How you broadened your network.
3. Call your reference and update them.
   1. If they were called, find out the questions asked and if there were any issues.
   2. Be appreciative of their support.
4. Reactivate your job search.
   1. Revise your search plan as appropriate.
   2. Resume networking and other means of getting leads.
   3. Be positive with friends and loved ones.
   4. Maintain an optimistic outlook and keep in mind that an opportunity can materialize at any time.

How to Begin a New Career
Recommended Actions following Chapter 14 – Joining the New Organization

Make an extra effort to prepare for the new job.

1. Meet with your new boss, possibly away from the office for lunch.
   1. Find out about the issues and opportunities on his/her mind.
   2. Get his/her thoughts about your priorities.
   3. Learn what you can about the people with whom you will be working.
2. Prepare for your new job before starting.
   1. Talk to knowledgeable people who might give you good insights.
   2. Learn what you can about the organization and people there.
   3. Conduct research about the competition and industry.

Start well.

1. Be humble and respectful, and mostly ask questions.
2. Work hard to take over your responsibilities promptly.
3. Learn how your boss thinks and develop a good relationship with him/her.
4. Get to know and develop good relationships with your fellow employees.
5. Develop a relationship with a mentor.

Plan to work there long enough to see the results of your actions and develop meaningful relationships with those you respect.

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