Feb 26
In the Office – I feel like something is missing
Q. I work in human resources for a large company and I love my work but something is missing. I’m looking for a new job, but fear I will leave my current employer only to feel unfulfilled somewhere else. I’m not sure what to do.
A. Great question! Fear of the unknown is often the biggest deterrent for people wanting to make a career move. You can’t control the unknown but you can reduce your fear by looking at your mindset, getting clear on what you want and getting out there. It can seem daunting to think about making a move so break your search down into manageable pieces.
Step 1: Check your mindset. The quality of your career search is dependent on how you feel about you. Attitude is everything. Getting your confidence high and your attitude in check is a MUST before beginning the process. Find out where you are now by rating your current level of confidence on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no confidence, 10 = totally confident); how confident are you about making a move today? If you are less than 7, what would it take for you to move 1 or 2 steps closer to 10? You want to take the steps necessary to build your confidence before you start your search. It vital you view yourself as an asset so you focus on finding the right match instead of looking for a job.
Step 2: Define your Ideal Career. Once you’re feeling confident, it’s important to get clear on where you want to go. This doesn’t mean decide which companies you want to work for (yet), instead get clear on the characteristics you want in you next career. Begin by looking at where you are now, be specific about the areas of the job you enjoy and the parts that are lacking. Then consider characteristics of your next opportunity, the type of people you want to work with, the hours you want to work and what you want to get paid to name a few. To help you take a deep dive into clarifying your ideal job, use my Ideal Career Worksheet.
Step 3: Get Social. Update your physical resume and make sure it’s available online – via Linkedin or an alternative hiring resource. Getting the resume online often helps people get serious about making the move, but don’t stop there. Since 40% of hires are made through employee referrals, get to know people at companies that interest you via social media. Building your network online can sometimes be more comfortable than building it in-person so make the most of the technology available.
Step 4: Prepare to apply. Start researching the companies that interest you. Be sure to reference your notes from the Ideal Career Worksheet and connect with companies online through social media outlets. Pay attention to their online presence, what employees post about the company and take note of competitor posts. Set a deadline that allows you enough preparation to feel comfortable applying for positions but also pushes you to make the move.
You cannot totally predict the unknown and there are no guarantees your next position will be the perfect one. Instead take small incremental steps to get comfortable with the parts of the process within your control, knowing the next move is part of your overall career journey and fulfillment is found in the process, not the destination.
Laura Treonze, serves as Chief Life Strategist with LMT Consulting, which helps executives and teams create massive success through self-awareness. Her life-changing approach has transformed individuals and families and has redefined the way non-profits and corporations “do” business.
