When do you call it quits with your current career? When do you say "This isn't working and I'm just going to have to do something else"?

It just may be that your field has far fewer openings than candidates and that it would be years and years before there would be enough "next step" openings for you to consider. If your networking contacts confirm such a situation, you may have little choice but to make a change. As emotionally difficult as that decision can be, at times it's the only choice. Or, you are simply ready for something else.

If that's your decision, then start toward your next step by researching. Read job descriptions and weigh your qualifications and what you may need to do to update them. Check the demand for those in the field. Does it fit your values, interests, and personality?

The best way to know if the new career is a fit for you is to talk with as many people as you can who are actually DOING the job. They will tell you about the realities of the field, including realistic salaries and possible advancement. They'll answer many questions. You'll be able to tell if they truly enjoy the work, and if it possibly fits you.

And it's that last point that's key: you deserve a job that fits you, one in which you'll be happy; this means you can't wait for an ad to appear, which means you need to do a job search proactively, which means you need to network into the career and into companies that interest you. Period. And although this kind of search takes about as much time as one during which you wait for ads to appear, the result is far better: you vastly increase your chances of getting a great job, in a new field.

Aren't you worth it?

Joanne Meehl will be the featured speaker at Acton Networkers in Acton, Mass., on August 14th. Her topic: "Why Should Employers Hire YOU When They Have Lots of Other Good Candidates?". The day before this, August 13th, she'll be the featured speaker at WIND South, in Canton, Mass. Her topic: ""Recession-Proof Your Resume: How to Use an Extraordinary Resume During Extraordinary Times". See the groups' web sites for more details and directions. Joanne will be signing her books which will be available at both appearances. So for those of you in Massachusetts, this is an opportunity to see Joanne, learn the latest about job search, and have her sign her book(s) for you. If you haven't seen Joanne in action, you'll definitely enjoy her warm and lively style and will leave with new ideas about and new energy for your search. Hope to see you there!

See our new space! For those of you in the Minneapolis area, you're invited to the Joanne Meehl Career Services Open House on Thursday, July 30th, from 4-7 pm, still in 13911 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, but NOW in Suite 490. We're with the Spirit of Hope counseling center in that space and it's been a great move for all of us. Kindly send Joanne an email to let her know you're coming, so that we can plan for enough great refreshments. It will be wonderful to see you there!

Does your career and/or job search need more momentum? Is your job search going nowhere fast? Why let more time go by with no salary or a too-low salary? Find out what's right AND what's wrong during a Quick Consult with the Queen. This 1-2 hour session gives you concrete steps to follow for getting unstuck. It also gives you practical insights into what YOU bring a new employer, knowledge about what sets you apart from the crowd of other candidates. The fee is $175 and the results are priceless!

And if you choose to work with one of us on these steps, that fee is applicable to your search project. Joanne Meehl and Career Consultant Kelly Oslund do these in person or over the phone. Call today to schedule yours.

Want some tips about career choice and job search from Joanne, without leaving your keyboard? Go to her home page, and scroll down to the media links. Joanne's been in the news recently and the clips (the longest is 6 minutes) have many tips you can use.

Let us know what you think!