Ready for a new career? Consider this.
It’s a new year and a number of you are in the market for a new career. If you’re among the 70% of Americans that don’t like your job, I ask that you take a moment for some introspection. Think about what you really want and take inventory before you submit that resume.
Over the last few months, I’ve been talking to a number of folks about career transformation and at first I couldn’t figure out why. It started to all make sense when I learned that for the past three years, the first six days of the New Year has been the highest job-search day. In fact, that day is so big that it attracts 70% more searches than average! Apparently, once we return to work after the holidays, it takes only two days for us to remember how much disdain we have for our jobs.
Unfortunately, it takes more than two days to find another one. So, if you haven’t landed that dream job yet, may I ask you to close the doors to Monster, Glassdoor, Linkedin, and Indeed and think about a few things before you carry on with your search.
Here me out.
If you’re like most people, you’ve begun your search by scrolling through listings on job sites looking for:
- A) Jobs similar to the one you have now (same company but different position, same position in a different company, etc.)
- B) Jobs at other employers or with titles that sound important (who doesn’twant to carry around Apple or Microsoft business cards or be a VP of something?)
- C) Jobs in cool locations (Manhattan, Silicon Valley, Austin, DC, etc.)
I suppose it’s a starting point, but those searches don’t scratch the surface. They overlook something important.
Before you start that job search, you need to know exactly why you’re looking.
You’re a problem solver and the search you do has to solve the problem you have. And not just the symptoms of the problem…the actual root cause of your unhappiness.
You have to get to/’ the root of the issue. I’m not sure there is a job search tool out there that helps us get to the heart of the issue…which boils down to this question.
What is the work you are called to do?
The question is not what you’re qualified to do. Or who will pay you the most. Or who has the coolest office space. Or the highest profile client base. The question is what are you called to do.
And to figure that out you need to ask yourself the right questions.
I’ve spent countless hours helping the women I coach think through questions like these and they’re some of the same ones I asked myself when I was changing careers. Try a few of them on for size so you can see where they lead you:
- What am I good at?
- What do others say that I am good at?
- What problem do I see in the world that I want to solve (or be a part of solving)?
- Whom do I want to serve?
- What kind of people do I want to collaborate with?
- Whose work do I admire enough to emulate?
- What lights me up when I’m doing it?
- What makes my heart race when I think about it?
- What would I do for FREE?
- What breaks my heart when I see it?
- If FEAR was not a factor AT ALL, what would I want to do?
- What activity (activities), when engaging in it (them) or thinking about it (them) brings me the MOST joy?
- Am I ready and WILLING to do what is necessary to provide the CHANGE necessary to obtain what I think will make me happy?
The answers to these questions and others like them will start to paint a picture of the role you’re meant to play, of the contribution you could make, and what you’re really here to do.
The picture that emerges may not be clear at first…it may look more like an abstract painting but the brushstrokes will be there. You may have to use your imagination to get them to take shape. But, once they do, the vision you have won’t necessarily align with a job posted on a website. You may need to bravely pitch a role to a prospective employer or get really creative and design it yourself.
It may take more time, blood, sweat and tears than you ever thought, but if you want to truly love your work and know for sure that it matters, then this is what I suggest.
Make a bold move towards your dreams and the work you’ll love.
You’ll know you’ve arrived when you can’t imagine doing anything else. And that is where your job search will truly end.
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If you’re in the midst of a career transition and would like to explore how my coaching process can help, you may want to apply for a free strategy session with me. I’ve opened up some extra spots this week, but they’ll go fast, so grab one right away and then be sure to fill out the application that follows so I can make sure there’s a fit. If there is, I’ll confirm the call and we’ll see if we can get you on a faster path to doing the work you’re called to do!