Archive for Career Transition
Can you find your dream job on your own?
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A lot of potential career coaching clients will ask me, “Why do I need a career coach, can’t I figure this out on my own?” The truth is, usually they haven’t figured it out on their own, which is why they’re talking to me. What I tell them is this, “Yes many people can, and have figured out their career direction without the help of a career coach, which is great!” I’ll admit that I’m a little jealous of those people, because I wasn’t one of them.
Many people have trouble finding their dream job for various reasons. They’re confused with so many career ideas in their head. They have too many people giving them advice, and it’s steered them off track. Maybe they don’t know themselves well (that was me!) or maybe they’re simply too busy to really take the time to figure it out in the right way. Whatever the reason is, I tell my career coaching clients, “Yes you may be able to figure it out over time, and perhaps by a process of elimination. But eliminating ideas over time can take a while.”
When I was stuck I felt like it would take me 10 years to figure out my dream job through process of elimination – trying different jobs over time. I really didn’t want to wait that long though. It would’ve been too painful. If you’re having trouble with it, it’s more effective and efficient to get right to the heart of it, and figure it out as quickly as you can. Life’s too short. If you can figure it out on your own, that’s great! But don’t settle or waste time in a job you don’t enjoy.
If you are interested in learning more about our services and how a career coach can help you, please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach
P.S.
Don’t listen to your friends…even though they mean well!
Posted by: | CommentsIn this video I expand on advice from an article about finding your dream job from Forbes.com. In order to find your dream job you have to know what you want first. Then listen to your friend’s advice and take what works for you, leave what doesn’t. You have to filter anyone’s advice by what works for you at all times so that you don’t get off track, and take a job just because someone else suggested you’d be good at it. Listen to yourself first, at the end of the day you know what’s best for you.
Read the article from Forbes.com here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2012/01/03/finding-your-dream-job-from-the-bathroom-floor/
How do you know if it’s you or the job?
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I was talking to my career coaching client, Damon, this week and he asked a great question. I hear this often, so I wanted to share it with you. How do you know if your job is not a good fit for you, versus you just need to improve yourself and work on your skills? There’s no one size fits all answer. Although, it would it be very nice if there was! Here’s how you can start to understand the difference:
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Remember that there are some things we can learn and some things that we can’t. Some things are also a lot harder for us to learn than others. It’s the distinction between talents and skills. Talents are inherent while skills can be learned. When you are thinking, “I should be better at this,” are you considering something that you can actually learn and develop? Or is it a natural talent that just is not there.
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You need to understand the difference between something you can work on and improve versus something that is part of your personality type. Some thing’s you can’t necessarily change, and you wouldn’t necessarily want to. You are who you are. So in some cases we need to accept that, move on, and realize there’s a better job fit for us out there.
I hope this is helpful to you to get you started on thinking about talents versus skills and understanding and your personality type.
Hallie Crawford
Career Transition Coach
P.S. Find out if for sure if you’re in the right career with our free Ideal Career Quiz.
Work smarter not harder – A great example of how to do this
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I was working with my client Seth this week. He came to our career coaching call very excited with the progress he had made. I wanted to share this quick tip with you:
Seth is a high performing individual. He sets high goals for himself and is constantly thinking of new ideas for his work at a custom software outsourcing firm in North Carolina. He would blast into his office in the morning excited to go to work, and at the end of the day his desk would be cluttered. He didn’t get to those important, versus urgent, items that he wanted to during the course of the workday. He would forget about those big goals we had been working on through career coaching to help him work smarter, not harder.
One of the tools Seth is now using which had made a huge difference in his day is this white board in his office. Each day when he first arrives, his assignment is to sit and look at his white board for 5 minutes before he does anything else. This grounds him in what he needs to do for the day, and settles his mind so he’s able to better prioritize his tasks. Seth’s desk is now clear. His mind is clearer. He is more confident, and is achieving those important goals every day.
I can tell you he sounds different when he comes to our career coaching calls. Seth is less frantic, more focused, and calm. Nice work Seth!
Quit planning, start talking
Posted by: | CommentsThis YouTube video is reminder of the enormous value of talking to people you know about your career. Brainstorm with others and conduct informational interviews in fields you’re interested in, even if you’re not sure they’re a fit yet. Everything you learn can bring you closer to the right career path.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Should you just take any old job?
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I was talking to a career coaching client recently whose husband works at a large rental car corporation. He has been posting for a job opening for over a month. They have received very few, if any responses to the job listing. I know that most people don’t want to take a job they don’t like or one that would lower their morale. It can be frustrating to think you have to settle with any old job, especially something that is lower paying, and feels possibly menial to you. Another thing to consider is if you start working again, you won’t qualify for unemployment.
I give my career coaching clients this advice, if taking a lower paying job is going to make you more frustrated and lose your unemployment benefits then maybe it’s not the best thing to do. Having a job, even if it’s not your dream job, can still be a good thing though. After all, it’s income, it gets you out of the house, it can boost your self esteem in many ways, and it’s a networking opportunity. So it may not be what you want to do long term, but worst case scenario you can try it out.
In this economy, to have a job opening go unfilled is very unfortunate. I encourage you to be smart and strategic about your options, but also consider things you have not considered before. Even if it means taking something just to take it for the time being. If it serves a purpose for you, so be it.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
How to network AND get work experience at the same time
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Struggling to find a job in your industry? Don’t discount the benefit of volunteering. If you volunteer your time in the field of work you are interested in, you still have the option to work a part-time position and make money outside of that industry if needed. This really helps fill gaps in your resume and allows you to network.
Two key benefits of volunteering:
Networking – While you are volunteering you are able to network and make connections within the industry. Knowing people at your ideal place of work can increase your chances of landing an interview down the road. Not only are you meeting people at the company, they get the chance to see how you are taking the initiative to get your foot in the door.
Work Experience – Volunteering is a great way to get experience in your ideal field of work. This will really help build up your resume and help you decide what you like and don’t like about the industry.
Companies like to see people who are proactive in their job search while being unemployed, not just someone who sits on the couch checking job boards. Get out there and do something.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
Get your house in order
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Before making any kind of change, especially a career change, you need to make sure that your house is in order. This includes having financial stability and creating a support network of friends and family to keep you motivated.
One of the ways to help you plan for a career transition is to work with a financial planner. This can really be beneficial to you as it directly impacts your bottom line.
I had a great conversation recently with my career coaching client, Eric Mangold. He coached with me about a year ago and has now landed his dream job. His financial services company provides their clients with an innovative and holistic approach. I was really impressed by it. You can check it out here:
http://www.livingbalancesheet.com/client/NationalFinNet_web/Clients_webHi.htm
It’s very different from what I’ve heard from most financial planners. This is a great way to get your finances in order at any time during your career planning. Way to go Eric! You’re an inspiration to all of us.
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