Last summer I was having a conversation with a friend who had been downsized from his former company. He seemed lost and not sure of what his next step should be. He was unclear and foggy about his skill sets and the career options they could bring him.
After discussing his situation with him for several minutes I asked him this question. “If you could wave a magic wand over your career predicament, what would you create?” As he gave me his answer, I could see that the words he used gave him an insight of what would make him truly happy.
He told me he wanted to be in a position where he was managing other people and feeling part of a family of co-workers. As he continued to explain what he meant, I could see him look up and sigh, as he recalled the good times he had in his former position. He finished by telling me that another job, similar to what he had, that included a feeling of belonging and importance, were necessary for him to achieve job satisfaction.
You can learn a lesson from my friend’s insight into what was going to make him happy in a new career. First, identify the kind of work you do best. If you are good at dealing with people, and like to interact with others during your workday, make sure the job for which you apply has this capacity for you.
Next, identify where you are willing to live. If you like the idea of relocating to another city or state, it could prove to be a determining factor that would open up many more job offers. What can be one of the most self defeating strategies in a job search could be expecting to find the same kind of job at the same rate of pay in the same geographic area as your last position.
Finally identify the kind of workplace environment that would make you happy. Is it an environment where people help each other out? Maybe a workplace where people work independently from each other, with little interaction, or possibly a situation that combines a little of both, would be best for you.
Some people like to travel and find it stimulating. Other people would dread getting on an airplane or driving long distances to perform their work functions week after week. The important thing is to identify the kind of workplace that would allow you to be at your best, both physically and psychologically.
Under this same category of factors, some people prefer to work inside while others like to be in the outdoors. They like the fresh air and don’t mind any temperature variation they would encounter.
Only you can decide the critical factors that would make you happiest in your new job. Once you identify them, you are well on your way to creating your ideal future career.
After discussing his situation with him for several minutes I asked him this question. “If you could wave a magic wand over your career predicament, what would you create?” As he gave me his answer, I could see that the words he used gave him an insight of what would make him truly happy.
He told me he wanted to be in a position where he was managing other people and feeling part of a family of co-workers. As he continued to explain what he meant, I could see him look up and sigh, as he recalled the good times he had in his former position. He finished by telling me that another job, similar to what he had, that included a feeling of belonging and importance, were necessary for him to achieve job satisfaction.
You can learn a lesson from my friend’s insight into what was going to make him happy in a new career. First, identify the kind of work you do best. If you are good at dealing with people, and like to interact with others during your workday, make sure the job for which you apply has this capacity for you.
Next, identify where you are willing to live. If you like the idea of relocating to another city or state, it could prove to be a determining factor that would open up many more job offers. What can be one of the most self defeating strategies in a job search could be expecting to find the same kind of job at the same rate of pay in the same geographic area as your last position.
Finally identify the kind of workplace environment that would make you happy. Is it an environment where people help each other out? Maybe a workplace where people work independently from each other, with little interaction, or possibly a situation that combines a little of both, would be best for you.
Some people like to travel and find it stimulating. Other people would dread getting on an airplane or driving long distances to perform their work functions week after week. The important thing is to identify the kind of workplace that would allow you to be at your best, both physically and psychologically.
Under this same category of factors, some people prefer to work inside while others like to be in the outdoors. They like the fresh air and don’t mind any temperature variation they would encounter.
Only you can decide the critical factors that would make you happiest in your new job. Once you identify them, you are well on your way to creating your ideal future career.
Tom Borg is president of Tom Borg Consulting, LLC. He is a business consultant, speaker, coach and author. Please see more of his blogs at Constructionjobforceblog.com and view more job postings at Nexxt.
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