As we move into the end of winter, and here’s a guiding thought for your career change:
Don’t wait!
Here’s what I mean. I have been on far too many coaching calls that went something like this:
Client: “Here’s what I have planned for my career change. I’m going to wait till I have a clearer idea of what I do. After all, most of the career change books say I have to get clear on what I REALLY want first.”
Me: “That’s great… so what are you doing this week?”
Client “What do you mean?”
Me: “What steps are you taking to get clarity? ”
Client: “I’ve taken a series of tests that say I’m an ENTJ. I’m listing my values. After I finish all this, I’ll go out and find careers that fit who I am.”
Me: “That’s great but where will you get a list of careers that fit your personality? And how will you define a niche in that career that might fit you? For instance, a lot of people think of accountants as quiet people who sit in a corner and crunch numbers. In fact accountants need people skills, especially in firms where you’re rewarded for bringing in new business.”
Client: “I just want to be absolutely certain.”
Me: “The truth is, most people find their new careers by serendipity. They start talking to people and getting out there. While they’re exploring one career, they learn about another career. So what’s a first step you can take?”
Client: “I need to be sure. I don’t want to waste time.”
Me: “Okay, call me when you’re at 100%.”
Does that sound at all familiar?
It’s fine to do some exploration first. But what I’ve found is, you often don’t know what you want till you consider your values, interests, and aptitudes in the context of specific careers.
But it’s another thing to wait till you’ve achieved certainty. It’s way too easy to spend all your time turning inward and use the “perfect career for me” as an excuse
to not even take the first step.
Here’s a better way.
1. Choose 3 careers you might be interested in, even remotely.
2. Begin exploring them. When you explore three at once, there’s less pressure. You can take time to delve into each beyond a quick ten-minute informational interview.
3. When you write off one option, replace with another.
If you need help, here are two possibilities.
Check out the Career Strategy Session. It’s not a sales pitch for longer-term coaching. Most of my clients get everything they need in ONE call… sometimes two. Sign up at http://budurl.com/careersession
Look up my ebook Your 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover
Are you a career coach or life coach? You can promote my career books to your audience and earn revenue. Click here for more.
Cathy, you are SO right on with this column. This is the reason I didn’t end up
on a clear career path in my life. I was too afraid to choose something and then have it be the wrong thing. At some point, you have to make a reasonable decision and then try out the career. I know that can be problematic if trying something means paying for education. I think that holds a lot of people back.
I got my job accidentally. The career agency I worked for was going to close because funding was disappearing after 9/11. I went to
an employment agency and a nonprofit had posted looking for someone for a one day job. My career counseling experience was the perfect match. That job grew and as it was in the office suite of another organization, I was in the right spot when the needed a part time person. The second job ended three years ago but now they need to hire me again. So, sometimes, it’s just being in the right place when an opportunity opens up and taking the chance that it will work out given one’s previous work experience and skill interests. I also recently tried a part time job that ended up being out of my skills. It was a great learning experience and I know know that that kind of work is not for me.
Gina
Thanks, Gina! Most people do get their jobs by accident.
Getting out of your skills and comfort zone via a part-time job – that’s awesome – and often the key to moving forward in a new career.