I spoke with someone recently who confessed that he’d given up looking. There’s a huge difference between giving up an unrealistic dream and becoming complacent in a position that pays well but fails to satisfy.
When I pressed “Wally” about what he’d done to explore opportunities, he told me that he’d applied for a few positions online but lacked the confidence to persist because he’d settled for a role that he felt was less than reflective of his best abilities. Would a prospective employer consider him for a more professional position?
You’ll never know if you don’t try. What’s holding you back? For many of us, work is about more than money. Think about what your life would look like if you had a job that you looked forward to on Monday morning. One that allowed you to do meaningful, important work that made you feel valued and engaged.
A recent article I read indicated that a full 50% of people hired in any given year either leave their new jobs willingly within the first 12 months—or get terminated. So there are openings!
You can make progress in building a satisfying career, but that will take some effort. Create a plan and a realistic timeline. Establish intermediate goals. Determine how much time you will spend each week in job search/network building activities. Research companies in your career space, industry and geography. Reach out to those you know who work there. Build the relationships today that you need to land well 6 months to a year from now.
If you aren’t making the progress you want to be making, get help from a career professional who can provide expertise, guidance and support. Not willing to make the investment? What’s it costing you in lost opportunity to stay where you are?
Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com