Wow, what a difference a few months make! The turmoil in the economy has translated into upheaval in people's personal and professional lives. Many have suffered a direct hit, in the form of a layoff or business closure. For others, it has a more subtle impact. Perhaps the fact that your employer has not invested in your career development, or your growing workload in a field you don't enjoy, has caused you or someone that you know to start looking to change careers.
Changing careers can be disorienting, as if you are driving in an unfamiliar city without a map or GPS. You often lose the structure and sense of connection that you have in an office environment.
Here are eight ways that you can deal with the disorienting process of career transition:
- Keep your cool. Everything is going to be okay. Really.
- Share your emotions with others. Lean on family and friends for morale support or keep a journal.
- Ask yourself powerful questions. Questions like "What do I want more of?" or "What am I ready to let go of?" can help you to frame the type of position and workplace that will most fulfill you.
- Stay connected. Read career-oriented blogs and visit websites devoted to your field every day. Build up your LinkedIn network. Connect with other jobseekers and set-up regular calls or coffeeshop meetings.
- Develop a daily and weekly schedule around your energy patterns.
- Set tangible daily and weekly goals. How many prospects will you identify? How many resumes will you send out? Be specific.
- Create a workspace that inspires. Use photos, slogans, flowers, or music to motivate you while you work. If you find that being around people energizes you, consider conducting your search from a table at Caribou or Panera.
- Reward yourself. When you reach your daily and weekly goals, treat yourself with something that is meaningful to you.
