New career [when you have no idea]

I recently received an email from a lovely sounding person who knows she wants to leave her current job, is open to some great change but has Absolutely No Idea what else she could be doing.

I have to say, this is one of my most favourite situations to coach, I love the possibility! But I get that when you’re actually in this position, it’s incredibly frustrating. [If you knew what you wanted you could go ahead and make it happen but you have no idea and you don’t even know how to work out what you want. Phwaaah!]

Not having a specific goal [ie a clear idea of the career shift you want to make] is ok. More than ok. Determining the goal IS the goal. And I can help with it. I have ways to help you work out what work you’d really love to be doing.

The first step? Think about what you loved as a kid.

JOKES! I am so not into this approach. In my professional experience, most people just liked normal kid stuff when they were little and didn’t have a standout interest. Of course, some folk really had a clear direction [say, animals] and then went on to pursue it [becoming a vet] but I reckon for most people it doesn’t really work like that.

I’m much more interested in what piques your interest now.

So the first step [really] is this:

+ MAKE A LIST

Make a list of everything that has ever grabbed your attention. Do not let practical reality get in your way [I could never become a neurosurgeon now, I’m way to old]. Don’t be swayed by what you fear others might think [imagine what my colleagues would say if I left banking for pottery?!] And don’t be put off by the idea that something is not a real job [lying on a beach isn’t work].

Just make a list of anything and everything that appeals [or has crossed your mind] as a way to spend your days.

Put your list away.

+ FIND THEMES

After a few days, come back to your list. Review it with fresh eyes and identify themes running through it.

Group these into around five possibilities. These are now your Possible Career Directions. It is fine if they seem very vague and not job-like, say: bush walking or reading books or people.

+ TALK

Now is the time to start talking to people.

I have to be clear: this step does not involve talking to your mum/sister/partner/best friend/colleague about whether or not you should make a leap. NO NO [ABSOLUTELY] NO. It is actually critical that at this delicate stage, you actively avoid others’ opinions on whether or not you should career-leap.

This talking is all about gathering information on your five Possible Career Directions.

We want you finding out things like: what jobs actually exist, how you could segue into those roles, how many jobs there are in the field, what training and experience would be well-regarded, what life would be like in those jobs, who else you could speak to about them, whether there might be opportunities for gaining experience. That sort of thing.

You might think: who the hell would I speak to?! I don’t know anyone. But I guarantee you do. And those people know other people. So make a mind map of everyone you know, in all the different areas of your life [don’t forget past jobs, school, uni, sports teams, drinking friends…everyone!] And also map the people they might know.

Then start contacting those people, asking questions and taking notes.

+ ACT

The final step is to stop thinking and start doing.

This is the bit far too many people bypass. They think of a job then apply for it. If they get the role it so often turns out to be nothing like they’d imagined. They find themselves unhappy again and back to square one.

So to avoid that: gather practical, real-life experience, to see how any job you’re considering actually fits you.

Volunteer, get work experience, shadow someone, take a sabbatical, go part-time and keep your old job on the side, start a side-project involving your new career. Anything that gives you a taste of this new direction, before you launch right in, is well worth it.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne