Relocation Myths and Stereotypes

You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on race, religion or sex. But when you make a career or other life choice, do you still make decisions based on stereotypes?

Relocation Myths

"Big cities are unfriendly."

Any place will feel hostile to newcomers. I've lived in several of the largest cities in North America and found helpful, caring people everywhere. Often businesses are more helpful simply because there's more competition.

"The desert is all sand and cactus."

In the high desert of New Mexico, where I live, we have green trees, flowering plants, and snow in the wintertime. We have abundant fruit trees and sometimes we have to rake leaves in fall.

"Small towns are conservative, you have to join a church and country club, and you must be married."

Probably some are. My town has less than twenty thousand people, yet I know lots of very happy residents who forego churches and country clubs in favor of coffee shops and art galleries. We have many single people and a sizeable gay population. Generalizations? Well, nearly everyone has a dog or cat and you'll find numerous multi-pet households.

Career Stereotypes

"Insurance sales reps must be gregarious."

Hal, a successful insurance agent for many years, has developed a portfolio of loyal, happy clients. Hal can be described as an introvert. He rarely speaks unless spoken to, and then he speaks briefly and softly. His clients have learned that he's a caring, dedicated agent who never misses a detail.

"Accountants sit quietly and crunch numbers."

These days, accountants, especially those in the large firms, have to become experts at client relations. Often they're expected to steer business towards the firm's consulting division.

"Want to travel? Be a travel agent!"

Once upon a time, when nobody worried about security and airlines gave us more than an inch of legroom, I loved to travel. When I sought ways to combine my love of travel with a career, I would often hear, "So become a travel agent."

Surprise! Travel agents rarely travel. After all, someone has to stay in the office and answer calls from clients. A major perk involves the "fam" or familiarization trips, when agents are invited as a group to preview a new resort or discover a new locale. There's rarely time for leisurely sight-seeing.

These days, a corporate travel agent is more like a traffic cop than a friendly guide, charged with enforcing regulations of the company who pays her commission: "The non-stop flight is two hundred dollars more than the connecting flight with the two-hour stopover. Looks like you've got two hours in Cleveland."

After dealing with hundreds of less-than-thrilled employees, one agent told me he was quitting the industry, probably for the more serene life of a bill collector.

How can you avoid stereotypes?

Traditional career tests often are based on outdated or stereotyped visions of careers. Stereotypes of locations tend to be perpetuated by folks who have never visited, let alone lived there.

I encourage anyone contemplating a life change to follow the Rule of Six. Talk to at least six people who have real, hands-on experience on the path you want to follow. If they clam up and say they're too busy to talk, you've learned a great deal already.

Most people will begin with a happy, party-line spiel. Dig deeper till you start uncovering negatives and warnings.

On the rare occasions you hear a lot of negatives, keep going until you discover a positive.

Harry almost gave up on his goal when four people talked about problems getting clients for a unique consulting business. After we talked, he realized they had all used the same time of marketing -- and they weren't very good at it. He broadened his search to gain a new perspective.

The Bottom Line

I'm always amazed at how many "experts" base recommendations on stereotyped versions of careers and places to live. That's why you may be advised to become a funeral director or a florist when you really belong in outside sales.

There's no substitute for gathering your own information from people who have been there and back. If something sounds too good -- or too bad -- to be true, it probably is.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

Home Healthcare Careers

One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More

Avoid a Three-ring Circus with These New Interviewing Strategies

I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing... Read More

Yesterdays Project Manager is Todays Project Engineer

The rapid growth of technology, greater exposure to knowledge, higher... Read More

Job Interviews -- The Real Reasons Why You Need to Follow Up

Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key... Read More

The Top 10 Mistakes Job Seekers Should Avoid In Contacting An Employer

There are numerous tools and resources available to guide job... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?

In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More

Who Do I Have To Kill To Get A Job?

I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More

Hiring the Perfect Fit Through ELance.com

Outsourcing has moved upward in the most-improved columns of efficiency... Read More

Take the Personal Out of the Workplace: Leave Your Troubles at the Door!

Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More

Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale

Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity,... Read More

Resume Writing Dos and Donts

Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More

4 Niche Job-Search Tips

Looking for a job on the Internet can be daunting.... Read More

Job Search: Age-Proofing Your Resume

Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be... Read More

Stay At Home Moms No Longer Struggling To Make Ends Meet

It is hard to be a stay at home mom.... Read More

Nuts and Bolts of Effective Cover Letters

As a job seeker, you shouldn't overlook the importance of... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: Good, But Summaries Are Smokin!

Since college I've been told that a resume ought to... Read More

Searching for a Federal Job

Many years ago searching for a federal job was a... Read More

How to Reach Your Next Job Faster with Fewer Potholes, Roadblocks

Complacency damages your career more than lack of qualifications. The... Read More

Are Your References Ready?

One of the most common forms of background check performed... Read More

Fear of Being Outsourced? Fight Back

Me, outsourced? Impossible. How could they replace a business-humor columnist?... Read More

Using Keywords to Find Legitimate Telecommuting Job Leads

Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring... Read More

Job Interview Mistakes To Avoid

By avoiding these 8 simple mistakes, you can improve your... Read More

Ask For That Raise!

For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an... Read More

Self-Preservation Techniques For The Unemployed

Looking for work can be difficult, frustrating, anxiety-provoking, and demeaning.There... Read More

7 Tips to Deal With a Bad Performance Review

Q. "I wasn't happy with my last performance review. Should... Read More

The Importance of Background Verification

Today's society has created an environment that requires business owners... Read More

Evaluating Job Offers -- Eleven Warning Signs You Must Watch Out For

Moving into a new job always involves some degree of... Read More

How to Success On The Job from Job Hunting to Keep Your Job and Get Most of Out of It

INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More

Make a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Who Should Write Your Resume?

This is a question we get a lot. It seems... Read More

Resumes and First impressions

Hunting for a position in a new career field? Trying... Read More

When Should You Update Your Job Skills?

With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely... Read More