Contemplating Life’s Choices

Well, I meant to post this last Wed but here we are playing catch up again. But, it’s ok because we’re in the era of not letting perfectionism stop us from doing the things that matter to us. Here we go…

I’ve been having a lot of conversations with folks lately about careers. How to make a pivot? What to do if you’re not happy? How to deal with the uncertainty and constant change? Sometimes I have to remind myself, and others, that there are things we can focus on and things that are out of control.

Yes, it’s smart to be aware of what’s going on around you and if there are red flags galore that your company may be doing layoffs or going under we should never burry our head in the sand and hope it doesn’t happen. There’s a difference between being prepared for the worst and letting the day-to-day unfold and being willfully ignorant of your circumstances and how you can do some things behind the scenes to be prepared should you suddenly find yourself on the job market.

So, should you suddenly have to look for a job could you answer this question?

When you reflect on this don’t stick to surface level and say oh my ideal job would be remote, at a big company, with cool people to work with, a nice boss, and a great leadership team. Get specific, so you can help yourself narrow down your options and so others can help you in your search.

For your ideal job what are the titles or roles you’re looking at? Are there adjacent or similar jobs you’d be open to? What does the job need to pay? Are there specific benefits you or your family must have vs the nice to haves. For some folks generous paternity leave or IVF support may outweigh free food and unlimited PTO.

Do you know what companies you want to work for or the industry you want to be in? Spending some time to keep an eye on the job boards and what other companies are doing now can give you a better sense if they might be a place you want to work vs trying to cram in all the information you can find when you’re desperately seeking your next opportunity.

Work through each of these items and at least figure out what are your non-negotiable items and what are your deal breakers. Even the best pay or perks won’t be worth it if the environment is toxic or works you 100+ hours each week. Knowing what matters to you will help you spend time focusing on applying for the right jobs and should you be lucky enough to land multiple offers will help you pick the one that’s actually right for you and where you’re at vs the one that just pays the most or has the best title. Hint, at some points in your life pay and title may be what matters most to you and that’s ok too.

And if you find yourself needing to job hunt have a short list from your notes of what you’re looking for so you can engage your network to help you find your next opportunity. Though things may feel bleak I have seen such incredible offers of generosity in wanting to help people so knowing what you need help with the most will help people help you.