5 Steps To Make Your New Job Happen

Having a break over Christmas can give us some clarity of thought, and perspective. As we enter the New Year, what thoughts are you having about your career?  Do you want a change or think about your new job?

Here are 5 steps to help you make the right decision to navigate a new job transition.

1. Set aside some time to think and visualise what you want. When was the last time you spent time dreaming about your career, if ever? What would a day in your dream career look and feel like? Make a list of what you currently enjoy doing or would like to be doing. You are creating your dream new job description.

2. Get clear on what’s important to you, what you value. What are your career values, i.e. independence, creativity, learning, growth, problem solving, teamwork? Tune in to what’s in your heart, are you passionate about the environment, helping the elderly, the disabled, troubled youth? Perhaps your passion is sport, art or working with animals. Ask yourself how you can pivot your career into that sector leveraging off your current skills? Make a list of organisations in your ideal industry and reach out to them. It doesn’t matter if they’re not advertising; they will be impressed by your genuine interest in working with them!

3. Before you jump ship, ask yourself, “Could I create that job where I am?”, If you enjoy where you are currently working, but the work just isn’t cutting it for you, change it! You’ve already built up goodwill with your current employer, and you could transition into a new department or approach your employer with a business case to create this role for you. You don’t know if you don’t ask.

4. This step is crucial if you decide to move on from your current employer to the new job. Be honest with yourself and ask, “Am I running away from anything?” Do you have a boss you don’t like, a colleague who keeps triggering negative feelings? Are you not feeling valued or feeling invisible? Before you leave, you need to take action to resolve these situations. Challenges come along in our life to teach us something. So if you don’t learn the lesson in this job, it will appear in a new form in the new job.

5. Get some fresh ideas by speaking to a recruiter, career coach or mentor to check your thinking and set realistic expectations. Once you have some clarity, put the word out with your network about the type of role you are looking for. This will also help you tap into hidden vacancies and get ahead of the queue.

Once you are clear on what you are looking for, it’s amazing how the right people and opportunities present themselves once you start to take action.

If you’d like to get clear on what’s important to you, gain further clarity on your values and how to align your career with them, download a free copy of my e-book here, How To Have More Meaning and Purpose In Your Career.

(Remember to get your copy of Careers Awakening: How To Align Your Career With Your Soul Purpose here.)