Must-Do Before Career/Job Project
[12.11.23 WhollyWork] Welcome to the first WHOLLY WORK career tips post! The name describes my whole-person POV on career topics. And since we spend a lot of our life working – this matter is sacred. I’m adding this blog to Connect2Self’s ongoing Spirited Living because I have specific knowledge (20+ years) on career coaching.
Start with the Self. For career direction, pivots, and job search, it’s important to get centered, internally organized — the ‘being’ in coaching, and then the ‘doing,’ implementation of a resonant strategy.
To me, this work is essential, not a luxury. Why this is important even if we are in a tough job situation, worrying about not having the next paycheck: it can help us move out of the stuck! We can make a conscious decision to do this work, while staying at a undesirable job, or take another job for the time being as we sort out our true compass – there is intention in being in a temporary holding place.
‘Internally organized’ means clear identity, values, purpose, and mostly untethered from deep fears, wounds. We are all work in progress – this is not about waiting to become perfect, but to get to a place where your energy for a great outcome becomes available.
I’m not a therapist. I am a certified coach who has done a lot of therapy (I’d learned the hard way that getting help is totally OK). As a coach, I hold space for people to explore and process, bring awareness, and empower the client to have choice.
This year I’ve worked with over 200 job seekers, career switchers, solo practitioners, and those who wanted a more balanced worklife. I saw people overdoing the job search (not sleeping, applying to 100s of jobs), refusing to network (saying it’s useless), or going through mental health/life stage issues (anxiety, depression, whether to retire).
Unlike some coaches (or clients) who want to get right to job search steps or talk about how to get that promotion, I am a proponent of slowing down to regroup first. We are humans with emotions and needs – let’s connect within and find out what really matters.
When things click inside, the external becomes a place for intentional action.
Start a file or notebook, answer these questions. Date the page. It’s informative when you re-read it.
Topics + Powerful Questions for You:
- Career and life are intricately related. What aspect(s) of your life is linked to your work and vice versa? How has your job, job search, or state of career affected your life? What would you like to improve?
- Our values change over time. What’s important for us when starting a career is likely different from when we reach a certain life stage or level of experience. What are your top 5 values for your career now? What are 3 dealbreakers?
- Energetically, are you feeling ‘together,’ all over the place, and/or having trouble focusing at work or life?
- Self-assessment is the logical start of career success. What are your interests, values, skills, and personality preferences?
- Reflect on a time when you talked about something you are sure about. What was the reaction from your audience? What sensation did you feel in your body?
The clarity and confidence make the job search or advancement process more effective and possibly quicker. We need to tell a succinct story about us: where we’ve been, what we accomplished, where we want to go, and how we can help.
People listen when we are grounded in our words.
I would love to hear your feedback on this post!
Keep reading for a FREE download of my new 10-page Career Success workbook!
Warmest holiday wishes,
Sue
CHECK THIS OUT
- Sue’s THRIVE framework on Career Success & Info on Career Coaching
- Happen to Your Career – An Unconventional Approach to Career Change and Meaningful Work
- Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success
SUBSCRIBE to WHOLLY WORK blog for more and get 10-page FUN: A Serious Start to Career Success workbook on mindset, career transition, self-care, outline for LinkedIn About section.
