A Better Way To Find An Alternative Career
by Markell R. Morris, Futures in Motion, Inc.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema/ Unsplash
Are you struggling to find an alternative career to the one you’re in now?
If you’re like most career changers, you have a lot of vague ideas about what you can do. You’ve gone online and searched endlessly hoping that the right job will somehow jump out at you. You find jobs that look like a fit, fill out the long application, attach your resume, then hit submit.
Then you wait with expectant anticipation that you’ll get an interview.
But, you get nothing. No acknowledgement that your application was received. No call for an interview. Nothing but silence. Okay, that’s a one-off.
So, you keep going and go through the process again. This time, you get an interview. At the interview, it becomes clear what you thought the job would be and what is being presented are different from one another. You tell yourself, “Okay, that happens. At least I got some interview practice.”
After several spins through that cycle, you’re discouraged. You feel defeated. You’ve been at this for months. You think there’s something wrong with you and maybe the career path you’re on is your only option. Or, if you have a shred of courage left, you strongly consider going back to school to enhance your knowledge. An MBA? A law degree? Something in the medical field? Those all lead to stable jobs, right?
The career changers I work with have all started where you did.
Then you wait with expectant anticipation that you’ll get an interview.
But, you get nothing. No acknowledgement that your application was received. No call for an interview. Nothing but silence. Okay, that’s a one-off.
So, you keep going and go through the process again. This time, you get an interview. At the interview, it becomes clear what you thought the job would be and what is being presented are different from one another. You tell yourself, “Okay, that happens. At least I got some interview practice.”
After several spins through that cycle, you’re discouraged. You feel defeated. You’ve been at this for months. You think there’s something wrong with you and maybe the career path you’re on is your only option. Or, if you have a shred of courage left, you strongly consider going back to school to enhance your knowledge. An MBA? A law degree? Something in the medical field? Those all lead to stable jobs, right?
The career changers I work with have all started where you did.
WHY THAT APPROACH DOESN’T WORK
The problem with jumping into a job search without a focus is that it’s backward, and it doesn’t work.
You’ve put tactics before focus and strategy.
You’re trying to find an opportunity you haven’t yet defined.
What you do know is that you want to do something different from what you’re doing now.
In that mindset, you’re escaping from your current situation rather than working to attract the right opportunity that will bring you greater fulfillment.
If your goal is to find a career you will be excited about, then you need to approach it from that standpoint.
END YOUR FRUSTRATION BY FOLLOWING THESE STEPS
Focus: go beyond job titles and define what you want to do. What knowledge, skills and abilities do you want to use? What types of clients/patients/customers do you want to serve? What are your preferred work setting and workstyle? What organizations/companies are most likely to value or need what you have to offer? What are your goals? Do some brainstorming.
Research possibilities based on the factors you brainstormed. Use LinkedIn and Google to do keyword searches and see what type of professionals come up and where they work. LinkedIn will also probably pop up some related jobs and companies.
Complete a skills and/or strengths assessment. You have many years and variety of experience. You can do a lot of things, but what do you really want to do? I use Skillscan and CliftonStrengths to help my clients pinpoint areas of preference, competence, and natural strength. Using the summary, we then create accomplishment statements they can transfer onto a resume and incorporate into a cover letter and LinkedIn profiles. The results are also useful for interview preparation.
Update your job search materials. Create several resumes- one for your immediate short term goal, one for the next level job, and one for your long term goal- and update your LinkedIn profile. With more focus the content will come together more easily, and you’ll have a better idea of what to emphasize on your job search materials.
Leverage your network. The people you already know are a valuable asset in your job search. They can give you insight into various jobs and companies. They can share job leads and open doors of opportunity. They can encourage you on your journey. Regularly connecting with people in your network should be part of your job search.
Focus: go beyond job titles and define what you want to do. What knowledge, skills and abilities do you want to use? What types of clients/patients/customers do you want to serve? What are your preferred work setting and workstyle? What organizations/companies are most likely to value or need what you have to offer? What are your goals? Do some brainstorming.
Research possibilities based on the factors you brainstormed. Use LinkedIn and Google to do keyword searches and see what type of professionals come up and where they work. LinkedIn will also probably pop up some related jobs and companies.
Complete a skills and/or strengths assessment. You have many years and variety of experience. You can do a lot of things, but what do you really want to do? I use Skillscan and CliftonStrengths to help my clients pinpoint areas of preference, competence, and natural strength. Using the summary, we then create accomplishment statements they can transfer onto a resume and incorporate into a cover letter and LinkedIn profiles. The results are also useful for interview preparation.
Update your job search materials. Create several resumes- one for your immediate short term goal, one for the next level job, and one for your long term goal- and update your LinkedIn profile. With more focus the content will come together more easily, and you’ll have a better idea of what to emphasize on your job search materials.
Leverage your network. The people you already know are a valuable asset in your job search. They can give you insight into various jobs and companies. They can share job leads and open doors of opportunity. They can encourage you on your journey. Regularly connecting with people in your network should be part of your job search.
When you follow the steps outlined, you’ll start to attract better job opportunities and have more fun in the process.
Are you ready to make a career change, but unsure what you want to do or how to figure it out? Get my free guide for a roadmap.
Markell R. Morris is an international speaker, career counselor and job search coach based in Long Beach, CA. Her mission is to help frustrated career changers get excited about their life and career after loss and personal challenges. She has created career programs and resources that help her clients gain a sense of direction and hope, so they can go after their goals with confidence. Download her free ebook, Create a Career You Love, for career advice to discover your meaningful career path.
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