WCIYP: You Get to Choose Where You Work

 Chapter 8 of What Color is Your Parachute? is titled "You Get to Choose Where You Work". This does not refer to the fact that someone wants to work internationally or domestically. Location is not the main topic of discussion in this chapter. This refers more to what type of job or job environment a person wants to work at. The author gives the reader five tips on how to reach the best possible said job "location".

The first tip is "First, you need to find out what careers or jobs your flower points to". This refers to the fact that people need to actually sit down and think about what job their flower points to. There are many possible jobs that people can look into. However, their flower should help point them into a certain workforce or place of employment that narrows down their skill set. Readers should choose their top five favorite transferable skills. This refers to verbs. When you are done with this, you are to show this list to your family and ask them for feedback. Jot down everything that these people tell you. Do not throw out any of the information that is given. Whether it is positive criticism or negative criticism, everything can and will help in the long run.

The second tip states, "You need to try on careers before you decide which ones to pursue". The author states that finding a new job is a lot like trying on clothes at a store. People go and try on many different suits and dresses to see what best appeals to them. The same thing happens with jobs. People have to research and "try on" jobs before they apply for them. If they do not do this, they might be stuck in a long term predicament that will end bad for the employer and the employee.

The third tip is that once you find out what job to pursue, you have to find out what kinds of organizations have said job. Places that employ part time or full time, temporary workers or project workers, volunteers or employees, non-profit or profit. These are all types of distinguishing factors that one should consider when looking for a new job. People should not only talk to workers who know about the field, they should also talk to workers who have experienced the work in person.

The fourth tip is that people need to find particular names of places that interest them. People should not be looking just for jobs that have openings. They should also be looking at places that are fully employed but interest them. Lay-offs and quitting happens all the time. If someone is looking at a certain job and makes contact with the person in charge, then they will always be the first person that is called for an opening. People who try and approach companies will always give a better first impression compared to people who act like they are forced to apply.

The fifth and last tip is that people should learn all they can about the place they are applying for before they apply. There are many types of ways that a person can learn more about their potential place of employment. Friends and neighbors can always give you great insight about a company. Older relatives can give you advice and stories that you would not have known by yourself. People who work at the company can also help give you insight. They are the ones that deal with the company everyday and have the most experience regarding the company. The internet also helps people look at companies. There are websites that rate employers and bosses on their work-ability and likability.