Making a Career Change: Step 4 Looking Inside

Previously: Step 3: Looking at the Now

Phew! In a lot of ways it helps to get all the frustration about your current job out on paper and see it sitting there doesn't it? Now the real work begins. You're no longer holding on to that negativity so you are free to focus on you and what makes you awesome! Take a deep and cleansing breath.

Tip #2: For this next step it may help to use Google or another preferred search engine. Look at question #4 regarding your core values. Start by making your own list of the ones you can think of but then try looking at a long list of values that you find online and pick the ones from it that apply. This will make the end result more robust and thorough since you won't have to think of all of them off the top of your head. So feel free to use the Internet to search for pre-made lists. Just make sure you are being honest when you start picking from them.

Tip #3: I believe there is a difference between your dream job and your ideal job. Some may argue this, which is fine. But to me, a dream job is what you would do if you could literally do anything in the world regardless of time, talent, skill and money. Like, say, own a stable of elite thoroughbred raceshorse for example. An ideal job, is the perfect job for you taking into consideration the realities of your life such as your education, skills, talents, geograghy and other factors that very much have a bearing on your life. The ideal job may be quite far off like a CEO, CIO, or CFO position which is totally fine because it gives you a realistic direction in which you can head.

Tip #4: Notice questions #2 & #3. Classic interview questions. Think long and hard about them now. Knowing the answers to these questions at this stage will serve you well in your self-assessment. Then remember that they are in your notebook so that when you are interview prepping you can refer back to them. You'll never have to struggle with these as interview questions again!

Step 4: Looking Inside
In your notebook, answer the following:

1. What are your personal interests? What are you passionate about?
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. What are your core values?
5. Rank your core values in order from most important to least important.
6. What do you do better than anyone you know?
7. What is your dream job? Why?
8. What is your idea job? Why?
9. Do you prefer working alone? As a member of team? Why? 
10. Do you prefer a supervisor who watches you closely or relies on you to keep him/her updated periodically?
11. List your "Must Haves" for your next job. (i.e. I must have a flexible schedule...I must have a boss who trusts me...) Don't hold back. List as many as you can think of.
12. Rank your answers to question #11 in order of most important to least important.
13. Using your answers from Step 2 Question #7, list the top 2-3 accomplishments from your most recent job.

If you would like to continue along this path of discovery there is no shortage of assessment tools you can use. For starters, look at: Strength Finder 2.0, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and CareerLeader. If you do turn to those resoures be sure to record the results in your notebook so that you have them handy where and when you need them. Many of them will give you a print out of the results which you can then (literally) cut and paste into your notebook (yes, using actual scissors and glue).

Up Next: Step 5: Looking in the Mirror

Making a Career Change: Step 3 Looking at the Now

Previously: Step 2: Looking Back

Now that you have a sense of where you were and how you got here, it's time to think about the here and now. Obviously something is not right so let's see if we can pinpoint what that is.

Tip #1: It may help you to get a copy of your current job description and have it handy during this step so that you can refer to it.

Step 3: Looking at the Now
In your notebook, answer the following questions:

1. What about your current job isn't working?
2. Make a list of the things you like about your current job.
3. Make a list of the things you don't like about your job.
4. Make a list of the people you work with followed by the first 3-5 characteristics that come to mind when you think of those people.
5. What are your main responsibilities in this job? Which of these do you enjoy? Which do you not enjoy?
6. Make a list of things about this job you would like to change and indicate how you would change them.

Anything else you want to say about your current position? Write it down. Try and get to the root of what is going on now and why it's not working out. Hopefully at this point you are developing an understanding for where you were, where you are and how you got here. Next we are going to examine all that is wonderful about you to see if we can unlock what it is you should do next.

Up Next: Step 3: Looking Inside

Responsibility to Yourself and Your Employer

We pause this blog for a public service announcement regarding on the job, day to day career management.

If I have struck a nerve with you and drawn you back to keep reading I suspect it may be because you are thinking about making a career change or changing jobs. That or it's my striking good looks and incredible wit. Probably a fair mix of both now that I think about it.

For a second, instead of thinking about what's next, think about what's now. Whether you realize it or not, you've got duel responsibilities when it comes to managing your career. Obviously, you are responsible to yourself and your family to make sure your career is pointed in the right direction, to make sure you are happy, and to make sure you are being true to your needs, both emotional and financial. If you find that this responsibility is in anyway not being met, you and only you have to take steps to change it. No one will do it for you. Ask the tough questions. Figure it out and steer yourself in the right direction.

At the same time, you're responsible for the management of yourself on a day to day basis on the job, the one you are actually doing now. You need to make sure that you continue to add value to the company by doing the job you were hired to do and doing it well.

Sometimes, these responsibilities come in conflict with each other. You find your personal needs are not being met. You become unhappy. Disillusionment sets in. Discontent takes over. Resentment creeps up. If you feel any or all of these about your current job and find that your career isn't headed in the right direction and that you aren't being true to yourself and your needs, it is easy to let the second responsibility to your company slip. But it's crucial that you not let this happen. Even if you have your eye elsewhere. Remember, it's not your current job's or employer's fault that you've reassessed your needs and now feel that you must make a change. So don't take it out on them. They are paying you good money, which they can easily decide not to pay you if you become a malcontent. Don't let that happen.

Again, I turn to http://www.careerealism.com/ for some advice: How to Be More Likeable: 10 Things to Do Today. In case you can't tell I like this site a lot. Haven't found one better than it yet. They have a wealth of daily resources that can give you the kick start you need.