Take the Wheel
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This post is for those of you who are contemplating a job change, an event that arises for all of us at one time or another.
Your motivation for a new job might be externally driven: you heard of something, someone reached out to you, or your company’s business changes are prompting a search. Or perhaps you’re internally motivated: you realize that you’ve been doing the same work for a very long time and you’re comfortable but you don’t love it anymore like you used to, you’re not happy with the culture at your company, or you’re not seeing a desirable path at your current position.
Whatever the impetus, you’ll want to do everything you can to find and land the right opportunity, in as efficient a manner as possible.
So here are some things to consider as you organize your search.
Give yourself permission
While this may not apply to everyone, it’s not uncommon to feel some guilt when leaving an organization. You may feel like you can’t abandon your team or you owe your company something. Or maybe you’re just anxious about change.
But if you know that a move is the right thing for your career, you need to give yourself permission to make the change. The sooner you are looking forward with conviction, the quicker you will gain momentum in your efforts.
Make this change count
Look to the future: how many more jobs do you think you’ll have in your career? What do you want to have achieved? What do you want your legacy to be?
By thinking about your end point, you can make sure that this move is strategic — getting you closer to where you want to be — and not merely expedient.
How else to make this move count? Go big. Don’t undersell yourself. Really reach for the role or company you want. Know that you already have what it takes.
Take the wheel
Now think back: how many jobs have you had in your life? And of those, how many were opportunities that came your way vs. opportunities that you researched, targeted, and made happen?
While you may be aware of what you are looking for and what you need, you’ll get more clarity by explicitly writing down your criteria, prioritizing the list and considering which items are non-negotiable.
You owe it to yourself to be thoughtful and deliberate about your career path. Take the wheel! You’re the only one who knows where you want to go.
© Jennine Heller and J Heller Coaching. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennine Heller and J Heller Coaching with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. • Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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