You loved your job and now you don’t!

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Career Challenges – because you no longer love your job

How about that boss that has you report the same information in 3 different formats because he can’t make up his mind or really doesn’t know what he is looking for… Think Powerpoint, spreadsheet, Mindmap. Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! What an incredible waste of time, not to mention frustrating. And that’s just a piece of your boss’ incompetence.

Or the job you’ve just been transitioned to that sounded fabulous. Right up your alley, hits your strengths, plus a bit challenging, and working with people you respect. You’re thrilled to say yes and get started. You hit the ground running, get a few quick wins then tackle the harder stuff. Uh oh, now comes the pile on. They back the truck up, you hear a beep, beep, beep and bam they unload it at your office door. Here’s the rub, you did so well that the senior leadership added more to your plate. They added some long term strategic visioning (not in your wheelhouse). Added an offshore project, and for good measure let’s make you chair person of a steering committee. You were successful, now you’re not. You’re overloaded, frustrated, and maybe acquired a bit of self-doubt that you never had before.

Ok, a couple of interesting scenarios, but why am I describing these problems?

Would you be happy if you were either of these workers?  I think I hear a resounding NO. Of course not, you’d be miserable and rightfully so. Well the point is that you can either be miserable and plod on, or do something about it.

Believe it on not, both those scenarios are very real and they happened to me.  I loved my career and the company I worked for until I didn’t.  And when I realized that I no longer respected my boss or his boss for that matter, I lost engagement, passion, and enjoyment.  I hated going to work.  It wasn’t fun any longer and that made me sad.

With some help from a co-worker I saw a different view of my strengths and talents.  I have always liked working with people, helping smooth the way, mentor, coaching, etc. and as I went from Supervisor to Manager to Director, I mentored and coached more and more and was sought out to do just that.   It became apparent to me that switching careers was the right thing to do.  So I did.

I jumped ship after giving a month notice.  I tested the waters by going as a guest to  a Professional Coaching school and had an AH HA moment that first weekend in class.  Low and behold, knock me down with a feather… I realized that I really enjoy trying to figure out how to help people and I’ve been told that  I’m good at it.  Wow, I want to be a coach!

I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can!

I am.

I enrolled (and coughed up the big bucks… gulp); I graduated, got my certification as a Professional Coach as well as certified in an Energy Leadership assessment tool so that I can help others stay engaged and passionate about their lives and careers.  I know how to cut through the stuff that’s bothering people, I understand and have first hand knowledge about corporate America, and I have great tools in my repertoire.  I was plenty nervous starting my own coaching business; it’s a scary endeavor.  Yet I did it and I’m THRIVING!

So take a tip from me; it’s important that you enjoy what you do every day, because when you don’t it affects your mind, body, and heart.

If any of this resonates with you, Tom and I are ready and able to work with you.  We can help you fulfill your dream and thrive; you are worth it!

How to Maintain Job Satisfaction

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Job satisfaction doesn’t just come from employing your skills well, you need to be applying your most enjoyable skills most of the time. Here’s how to identify them:

  • List the jobs or roles you liked the most over your entire work career;
  • Now list what you liked about each role;
  • Now list why you liked the role and/or what was the accomplishment that you enjoyed?

For example:  my favorite role was as an International Operations Director.  I was responsible for all non US IT Operations personnel.

  • What I liked the most: Travel, learning new cultures, team building and interactions with the people.
  • Why: I realized I enjoyed the coaching and mentoring, which is what was needed most in that particular role.
  • The accomplishment: I helped create a stronger, better operating team with greater communications and camaraderie throughout the IT organization.

That’s how I ended up leaving IT and moving into a Coaching career.  What I enjoyed most was working with people and helping them, not necessarily the IT side of bits and bytes.

What does this tell you?

Just because you’re not happy with what you’re doing where you are now doesn’t mean you ditch your current career; it does mean you need to figure out why and, maybe, do it differently.  For example, you’re an attorney working for a large firm and realize you haven’t been happy with what you’re doing for a while.  Maybe it’s where you’re working or you’re feeling lost in the crowd (not able to stand out) or the type of work is uninteresting or unfulfilling.  But if you could be a corporate legal council for a small business that produces something you’re interested in, that may make all the difference in the world.

So think about it.  What would keep you engaged and passionate?

If it’s the right career – wrong organization: What changes do you need to make to feel engaged within your job again?  Should you stay where you are or are the changes needed so great that you have to leave?

If it’s the wrong career: What skills do you have that are transferable to another occupation?  Do you need to go back to school?  How about certifications?  Can you move to another position within the current organization?

Lot’s of questions that only you can answer.  You may need help putting it all together or clearly identifying your strengths, likes, and dislikes.  A Career Coach can be that help, but the answers still come from you!

Change is scary, but being unhappy at work is way worse!

Making a decision one way or another about your career will take a weight off your shoulders you may not even realize you have.  Once you accept your decision and create a clear path forward you’ll be happier, more engaged, and ultimately more successful.

Check out our videos and workshops to see if we have anything to help you move forward into a role meant for you.

Worried about your Job Interview? Let’s Flip the Script.

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The Dreaded Job Interview

If you’re worried about that job interview, let’s flip the script and make it work for you.

Does going on an interview terrify you?  You have sweaty palms, your shirt is sticking to you so there is no way you could take your jacket off, and you just keep thinking “am I good enough, will they like me?”

How would it feel to be able to calmly shake the interviewer’s hand without wiping yours on your pants or skirt first?   How would it feel to be able to have a two-way conversation with the interviewer and hold your own, not feeling intimidated or unprepared?

Here is some practical advice to build your confidence in advance of the meeting so that you’re comfortable and feel like you are on an even playing field.

Let’s first remember that you must have done something right since you were called for an interview.  That means your resume hit the points listed in the job description and you are qualified.  Kudos to you! You’ve made it over the first hurdle.

Now it’s preparation time.  That means you research the company, get comfortable with why you applied in the first place.  You work on your story – the story that will sell yourself.  How do you stand out?  What makes you qualified for this job, over all other applicants?  You need to sell YOU.

And while you’re thinking about how to sell yourself, think about your communication skills.  Make sure you look people in the eyes while speaking.  If that isn’t a strong suit, role-play with your family or friends, you can even practice in front of a mirror.  Ensure you can effectively speak about your accomplishments that show how and where you would fit into the organization.  Again, if that makes you uncomfortable, practice, practice and more practice.  Be comfortable with yourself and the interviewer will be comfortable with you too.

Back to your research on the company, why should they hire you if you’re not interested in the organization? Businesses hire people to fill a need.  During the interview ask about the main issues the company would like to solve.  Remark on something you’ve read on their website, or an article that was posted about them. Show them you’ve invested some time and effort.

Lastly, remember you’re interviewing them too.  They need to sell you on working for them as much as you need to sell yourself.  And don’t ever forget that it’s just conversation. So, be the awesome, uniquely qualified individual they can’t do without.

One more thing, don’t forget to follow up.  After every interview, follow up with an influence letter. Here you will briefly thank the person you interviewed with, recap the conversation, explain what excites you about the role and share why you would be a good fit.

Now go rock that interview!