In my last post we discussed how to cut through job market competition, and part of that involved the need to identify roles that suit you when you’re looking for a new position.
Today, I’d like to take that a step further and discuss how to identify the perfect roles for your skill set and goals.
Your goals are the best place to start. Why? Because the fact is that until you reach a position that meets your goals, you’re never going to be satisfied with your job. And you won’t do your best work without the commitment that comes from focusing your energy on what you really want to do. It stands to reason then that if you want to be happy and successful in your job, you need to find a role that is either your dream job or a stepping stone to it.
So pursue what you truly want – and not what someone else wants for you. You may need help in drawing this out of your own mind. As a start, think about these simple questions:
- If you could write your own role description, what would you spend 40-50 hours a week doing?
- In what kind of circumstances – e.g. culture, organisation, location etc – would you do it?
- Is it possible to make a satisfying income doing that?
- Do you have the right credentials/qualifications if they are required?
- Are they essential to perform effectively in the role, or just specified?
- If they are really essential and you don’t have them, can you acquire them?
- If you can’t make a satisfying living from that activity, or you can’t get the qualifications for it, what is another option that you would find rewarding?
You can repeat these questions as often as necessary to help you identify the type of position you want to find in the job market.
Next, you’ll also need to know why you want what you are pursuing. Achieving your goal may be challenging so you’ll need the kind of motivation that comes from deeply understanding why it’s important to get what you want.
And you’ll need to take action.
You see, action will become your greatest ally if you take it, and your worst enemy if you don’t. This is because we humans are goal-seeking, habit-forming creatures. When you commit wholeheartedly to obtaining what you want, every positive action you take will enhance your confidence and energy.
On the other hand, refusing to act or avoiding change sends a self-destructive message to your own subconscious mind. This will negatively impact on your confidence and make it harder and harder to reach the position you want, even if you’ve taken the time to correctly identify it.
Let’s go back to point #1: When you really know what you want and why, then it’s time to get busy identifying why you are the right person for it – i.e. deeply understanding your own Value Proposition – and on learning what if any intermediate steps are likely to be required to obtain it.
After all, your next employer, or your customers and staff, if you are planning to be self-employed, will also need to be excited about your Value Proposition. If you don’t understand or can’t articulate it, you won’t be excited about it and neither will anyone else.
Alternatively, if you can confidently communicate your Value Proposition, you should be able to easily convince any potential employer why you and your desired role are a perfect match. I’ll write more about identifying and selling your value proposition in future.
Next time: how to directly reach the people who control the jobs you wish to attain…
Until then, let me extend a sincere offer to you,
I’d like to invite you to a free and completely confidential 60-minute meeting with one of our Senior Career Consultants. This is a chance to explore some of the solutions we discussed above in more detail.
Irrespective of whether or not you ultimately choose to work with us, you will walk away with practical ideas that you can use to advance your career both immediately and for years to come.
To book a meeting, simply complete the online application form or call 1300 123 377.
