Mandy Pol: Seize the day

IN TODAY'S economic climate, company restructuring and redundancy is a harsh reality for some. It can be stressful, frightening and could lead to a deterioration in psychological and physical wellbeing. But depending on your circumstances it could also be seen as an opportunity to try something different, explore new avenues, or finally chase that dream job.

For many of us, making a career choice as a teenager is a daunting task and as a result we often fall into a job that may not be connected to our real passion or interests. We diligently continue in that career path because it's all we know or because circumstances prevent us from changing. If you find yourself facing unemployment due to redundancy, now may be the perfect time to take stock of your interests when considering your next job move.

For some, your interests will be clear and usually fit well with your abilities. For others, identifying interests may not be so simple. Unfortunately, our interests are often restricted by our exposure to different experiences early in life, but we can expand our interests at any stage by trying new things. Each new activity you try may be just the inspiration you need to catapult yourself into a new career path. But perhaps you are not able to take up a new hobby and it's certainly not necessary to try sky diving or knitting to uncover hidden interests; another avenue you can explore is simply a little introspection.

Do you enjoy working with people or alone? Do you like to influence people or are you happier being led? Do you like to work outside or prefer the even climate of an office? Do you need your scenery to change regularly to keep you interested or do you prefer to have consistency and order? These considerations can tell you a lot about your interests and what it is you would find interesting about a job.

Organisational psychologists often utilise psychometric tools such as the Vocational Preference Index, Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory. These tools can be helpful in assisting people to better understand their interests which can be translated into a job they will find rewarding. Those lucky enough to be in their dream job know the satisfaction, fulfilment and reward derived from doing something you truly enjoy.

Once you establish what it is you like to do, you are in a better position to consider different employment options. This is a good time to talk with a career counsellor perhaps at a local school or technical institution, or look through the New Zealand Career Services website, which has some excellent information about different jobs, what's involved, what training is required, and even how to go about entering the industry.

Be aware if you do make a decision to try something new, this may mean time spent retraining or beginning again from the shop floor. However, if you are in a position to do so it could prove extremely worthwhile.

Unfortunately interests are not the only factor influencing our career choices. The reality of family commitments, industry and job availability and financial constraints also contribute to our ability to follow certain career options and must always be taken into consideration before making major changes.

So if you find yourself in a company restructure or redundancy process that is leaving you uncertain about what to do next, perhaps it's time to change your frame of reference to one that is more positive, and circumstances permitting, use this as a catalyst for change, carpe diem - seize the day - and something wonderful may come of it.

- Mandy Pol is a recruitment specialist at Talent ID recruitment agency.