It seems like lately I’m getting a lot of requests, from the people I meet, to coach them on how to find and get a new job. I spent five years as a headhunter, prior to becoming a trainer and coach so I suppose people think I have a magic formula for career changers. Maybe it’s a sign of the times and the economy or perhaps it’s simply coincidence (something I don’t believe in) but for whatever reason, people want to know, “How do I figure out what to do next?”
There are two sides to this equation. The first is finding the “job” and the second is “getting” it. Here’s my best advice on the subject of finding a job:
“What?” you might be saying. “I need to make money, Jeff. How am I supposed to do that without a job?”
I didn’t say don’t work. I suggest you don’t want to find a job. I understand that you need money to survive and thrive; I’m just suggesting that one more job isn’t going to be the answer. If you’d like to be more fulfilled and make more money, here’s the question I have people answer when they come to me for advice on this subject. “What would you do if the money didn’t matter?” Don’t get me wrong, I know that the money does matter, but that’s not the point. The “trick” is to find what you love doing and to monetize it. For example, if you like standing in front of an audience and being the center of attention, and you enjoy helping people; perhaps a career as a professional speaker is right for you. (Know anyone like that???) Do you love dancing more than anything else in the world? Maybe if you’re not good enough to make a living as a professional dancer you could still teach others to dance, or offer dance therapy classes, or something else that will help bring you money and allow you to “play” at your job instead of grinding it out, day after day.
How do you figure out what it is you want to do? Take an inventory of who you are and what you truly enjoy. So far no one has been willing to pay me to sit at the beach drinking martinis and eating sushi but I was able to figure out that I love being in front of an audience. I’m self-aware enough to know that I like being the center of attention. Fortunately, through my long experience in the world of sales I’ve found a topic I am able to speak about with expertise so am able to attract people who will pay me to do what I love doing. What is it for you? What do you know about yourself? What are you really good at? What do you really love doing? What would you do if the money didn’t matter?
Once you figure out what it is you want to do you need to find a way to make money doing it. That’s too broad a topic to cover here and even when you figure out what you want to do you still might need some help coming up with a way to make money doing it. A good coach can often help with that. (Feel free to call me if you need help with this. If I can’t help you I can usually recommend someone who can)
As for the second part of the equation, if you have decided that you do want a job how do you get one, I have lots of tips for doing great on an interview and can lead you in the right direction but this article is already too long so we’ll leave it for next time! (I have a document I can send you to help you prepare for an interview if you’re interested) In the meantime, feel free to call or write if you have any questions.
Make It Happen!
Jeff
