One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I was planning my career was to choose a goal or experience; not a title. There is a lot of wisdom in that advice.

At school and while growing up, people always ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We learn early to think or a role/title, rather than what we want to achieve through it. If you’ve ended up where you are because you aimed for a title, don’t make the same mistake again. Although I had huge aspirations of being a Mounted Policewoman, I can confidently share that the only aspect of that role I was remotely interested in was getting to ride horses every day!

When you take away the title and start thinking about the features you want your job to offer, you can think more clearly. You’re looking for a career which will make you happy, not just sound good because of its title.

How do you know what is the best next role for you?

By discovering what makes you tick.

• Understanding yourself; when you are at your best and when you’re not
• Knowing which technical skills and transferrable skills you have
• Having confidence in the value you bring to a role, team, or organisation.

It’s possible that the only time you think about your skills or your value to the team is when you’re preparing a job application. That’s the time you’re forced to focus and quantify what you can offer. You’re defining your value to the organisation, which is a necessary thing to do.

But what about you? Your personal preferences and needs?

How long is it since you asked yourself questions like these:

• What do you need – not just from the job – to be happy each day?
• What do you need from your job and your way of life to be healthy and productive?
• When are you at your best?
• What do you want more of in your life?
• What do you want less of?
• What work/life balance are you striving for?
• What changes would you make to your current role to help improve your work/life balance?
• What do you need from your job and your day to allow you to be the partner or parent you want to be?
• What motivates you at work and in life?
• What bores you or depletes your energy?

I suggest to my clients that they either keep a journal or practice reflection at the end of each day. Ask yourself those questions and see what answers you find as you review your current role. There’s no right or wrong. This is all about you. Now that you’re considering a career change, the answers you find will reveal your next steps.

From here, work out your non-negotiables – your deal breakers. These are the aspects which are vital to your happiness and well-being. For example, a job with regular interstate travel would be a bad choice if you want to increase the time you spend with your family. Or if you’re looking for development opportunities to help you advance your career, a job which is like your current role wouldn’t be suitable.

Planning your career takes time so don’t be tempted to rush it. Take your time. Pay attention to yourself and your needs. Learn to understand what is important to you. Remember that you’re redefining yourself just as you’re redefining your career. Getting clear on both is crucial. You want a career by design rather than accident.

My online Career Clarity Coaching Program will guide you through the process and help you find the answers to those important questions. It will help you move more quickly from confusion to career confidence and personal insight.

I had the opportunity to complete the Career Clarity Coaching Program with Linda Murray, Athena Leadership Academy. Currently looking for job opportunities, I was overwhelmed and overloaded by the amount of information available out there on all the different job search platforms – How to construct a resume, how to direct job searches, how to prepare for an interview…
The program put me in the right direction. It made me first reflect on myself, then redefine my approach to the job market and look outside the square.
It helped me identify my abilities, transferable skills, and progressively made me unleash the potentials I didn’t know I had.
I have now a whole new perspective. I feel much more confident and comfortable discussing my abilities, strengths and career aspirations with anyone and during an interview.
The program is online, self-paced, extremely well structured, and includes a debrief session after completion with continuous access to the site after completion.
Linda’s wonderful energy and positive personality helped me feel more comfortable discussing everything about myself, being at all time present, supportive, attentive, and extremely responsive.
The whole experience was unbelievably refreshing, insightful, inspiring and uplifting.
Thank you Linda! – S.P

If you feel the need to step up in your career, this is the way to go about it.

Do you have questions for me?

Leave them as a comment and I will answer them for you.