“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”. – Charles Darwin
There are times in life and in your career search that you may reach for the familiar and same-old – what you have done in the past, and what is comfortable. In many cases, it won’t work for you anymore, and in many cases; it just should not work for you!
Case in point: I was working with an individual who was very qualified in his field. He was at and against the wall with his job. He began his job search by reaching out to what he was comfortable with -- what he had always done before. Why? Because he was “very qualified” for the job he had always done – and he was a bit stuck in his own way. He was getting no results from his search activity, his creativity was stifled. His confidence was eroding. He was going nowhere in record speed.
What he realized he needed to do was to look at his situation, plan and action from another angle – another perspective. We needed to look at what he brought to job market, not how suited he was for this one type of job. In this case and in many others (probably your case too), what he brought was a skill set. That skill set -- when we broke it down -- was transferable to many other more lucrative jobs and frankly a career path that was finally going somewhere.
The Result: Accounting, procurement and management of an accounting team can transfer to many industries not just the one he was in which happened to be in, which was manufacturing. We redesigned his resume and cover letter and practiced how to interview to stress his transferable skills and accomplishments. The world opened up for him. He landed a job in a healthcare -- worlds away from manufacturing. The skill set did not change, his accomplishments and great attitude and work ethic went with him and if his career turns upside down again because of the economy, he is poised now with a new vision for what he can do!
Insanity may be doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results (I believe Einstein said that). But I say -- it is ok to do the same thing (your job skills) but look differently at how and who can use them.
The key is to be more resourceful – try new things, don’t be stuck in your familiar thinking. In searching for a job, if what you are doing isn’t working, you need to change the path & plan – change it up. Begin by looking at yourself differently. Evaluate your skills, strengths, qualifications and weaknesses and be open minded – don’t “attach to an industry”; don’t “attach” to the same type of job if you really do not want to. Again shake it up – change it up.
Clear out the obstacles that preclude open thought and thinking. Be and look fresh. Make yourself different. Stop repeating what hasn’t worked. How your mind will open – how opportunities will open.
The mind and soul are the most powerful tools – if you let it be and allow it to work.
Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Celebrating 24 years providing career management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
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