Most of us are getting back from holidays and the transformation that Summer can bring. Yes, a new season is starting. For me, this is marked by the fact that I receive innumerable request to work with people that wish to make a career change- possibly due to my having done exactly that, 6 years ago. Although there is lots of ground to cover when we are to search or do such a big change in our life – internal work, I mean, with ourselves – I am including here some things that you should try to invest upon, to prepare for such a change.
In all you do, Determination and Patience are the best classic attitudes that will support your efforts. You need Determination to feel engaged with your goal and Patience to help you step back – so you can deeply reflect and choose the right next step. The future might seem uncertain, but ultimately you are in charge. You determine your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Only you control how you present yourself, what you say, and where your focus is. If you tell yourself, “It’s a tough job market out there,” you will find it extremely difficult to network and find the perfect – for you – job. If every day, you remind yourself of the value you have contributed already to an organization, you will be more confident and self-assured, while seeing a multitude of possibilities in the market. It is easy to get derailed and frustrated during your search. Believe me, we have all been there. Thus, here are some strategies to help you achieve this important change in your life.
- Control Your Emotional Roller Coaster
It’s not the lack of technical competency that will disrupt your search; it’s those strong negative emotions that dominate your thoughts and rob you of a positive, motivating frame of mind. Focus on what you are thankful for. Let your gratitude influence your attitude.
- Get rid of the “not fair” mentality
If you find yourself furious that you were terminated, have a deeper look at yourself. Have you been giving your passion to your job? Your enthusiasm and creativity? Were you all that you can be in that environment? If the answer is no to any of the above, you need to realize that it was correct for your company or boss to terminate you -in any case it was their prerogative. You need to take complete responsibility for how your life and career look, because only then will your search efforts for something new take off. I invite you to look deeply into your life and identify those dimensions in which you feel that you are ready to undertake responsibility and move on.
- Put your Network at Work
Networking is a process that is both an art and a science. It’s linked with enlarge common sense and driven by courageous resourcefulness. If at the end of the day, you are not receiving at least two additional names from each of your networking sources, something is incorrect. If you find that your contacts are hesitant to open-up their contact list, you might not be positive or confident enough to generate interest or enthusiasm for your search.
- Get ready for your interviews
I know this is a no-brainer, but I must mention it. There are thousand shades to interviewing. Nevertheless, if you are not prepared for it, you will fail. Do your research on the company you are interviewing with, its competitor, and major trends that might influence what they are doing. Find if whatever they are achieving moves you deep inside. Are you feeling enthusiastic with the prospect? Would you be motivated to do your best and give all your talents? Or would you, again, be holding back of whatever makes you be who you really are?
If you believe this is it, shape your business persona, and get to know it backwards and forwards. You must be in a position where you confidently and positively articulate why you left your previous employer, the results you achieved, and how you can contribute to this other organization. Put yourself in the interviewers’ shoes – ask yourself the questions, they would ask.
And do not forget to ask yourself open-ended questions that demonstrate your interest and the depth of your business acumen. Be aware thought, and don’t talk more than you need to; the impression you make will be more about you as a business person and the sum of you stance that day.
- Straighten up your story for leaving and get Referrals:
References are worth more than your weight in gold. They provide a glimpse of who you are, what you can do, and your core values. Nevertheless, weak recommendation can prove to be damaging because it raises concerns about you. If you feel that your relationship with your former boss is not optimum, fix it. Take a minute to get your head on straight and, if possible, pay him/her a visit.
Take complete ownership for your exit. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to work there. Be specific about the things you learned and the skills you gained. Elaborate a bit on your vision for the future and your career journey. Share your goals in a confident and enthusiastic manner. Get them excited about your future endeavors. Then, discuss the references process.
It is critical that you and your boss be aligned with a reasonable explanation of your exit. Anticipate, prepare, and practice discussing this in a positive manner with zero defensiveness and a rational explanation.
And a final word from me: Do Not Rush; It is true that most of us feel compelled to act immediately when we decide something. Believe me, you are “acting” already. Taking some time to think about what you want and where you want to go in the next five years, ten years, fifteen years is “acting”. Remember, Passion is contagious. If you can envision your future you will become enthused. Cover this enthusiasm with the ROI of your past successes and you will have the ideal presence for your search.
Congratulate right now yourself for your decision to change. You’ve got this!
