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How far you will go in your career shouldn’t be determined by job titles. What are you learning that you can apply years from now? That’s a big part of managing your career trajectory. Job seekers are still thinking about the next job instead of their career path over time. Melissa Cooley and I discuss this as we hope you would think concerning the longitudinal path of your career.

What are your career goals 90 days, six months, or a year from today? What will your career look like in five years? There are three ways you can share your thoughts with us:

1) Leave a voice mail or text message at 708-365-9822. Let me know if I can share it on future shows
2) Email me: [email protected]
3) Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com and press the “Send Voicemail” button to leave a message online

Those of you who are career professionals can receive the additional bonus by leaving your blog and I will link to it.

Melissa Cooley is the founder of the blog, The Job Quest. Her multiple career articles and mentions have appeared in The Daily Muse, The Savvy Intern Blog, and Under30Careers. She is a Certified Advance Resume Writer and an Interview Coach.

Here are a few of the highlights from our conversation:

• Some of the language from many job seekers suggests a lack of understanding their career trajectory such as, “I’ve landed…” because it sounds like it’s permanent
• A new job still means your actions must be purposeful for your entire career. Take control of your future and avoid being reactionary!
• Don’t pitch your tent but treat it as a pit stop! The only constant is change.
• An Austrailian study shows that 60% of college students are chasing careers that no longer exist. Online courses such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), Skillshare, and Udemy more valuable.
• Melissa stated that apprenticeships are  valuable with the real world experience and gut instinct
• Missed opportunities because people looking for the formal training (classroom) and it may not exist
• Melissa said that people are not grasping and understanding what and where a real opportunity is found
• In ancient times, the Greeks desiring education followed other people, not schools
• Melissa said that textbooks provide static answers, but mentors will provide more dynamic input
• Textbooks may not provide timely answers like a mentor could
• Melissa referred to people finding mentors outside of his or her field where transferable skills may apply to both
• She also said your career trajectory is not found in job titles but transferable skills. Think about the skills already possessed and its application to other career opportunities
• Attitude, aptitude, and soft skills are big parts of the layers required to change careers and your career trajectory. Can you cross-train in your current career? Do you fit with the company? The team?

People focus on activities instead of learning and miss big opportunities Have you subscribed to this show on iTunes? If you haven’t, please do so. iTunes is a great place to write an honest review and increase the show’s visibility. Enjoy listening to the show. Let us know what you think.Do you need help with resume writing or career direction? Do you need coaching or instruction?I can help.Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!