Lots of people I talk to don’t know where to start in considering what their next job should be. So they ‘do nothing’ and stagnate in their job which may mean their performance drops and this can lead to a drop in credibility within the business. It all sounds pretty dire doesn’t it? If you are happy in your job and ‘green and growing ‘ as I like to say then there is no reason to move. If on the other hand you feel paralysed and don’t know where to start then maybe I can give you a few tips.
Take some time out
I remember in 2005 I took a day off and spent the whole day reading and thinking about what I liked, what I was good at and what I hated. Often whilst on vacation you will have moments of clarity so taking time out is key to opening up your mind.
Make a list
Grab some paper and write four columns. Write down the headings :
1. What I like or love
2. What I am good at
3. What I need to learn
4. What I hate
Once you have created your list use this like a ‘lens ‘ to view future jobs. Circle key elements in each column, for example you may love leading people, you’re good at start ups, you need to learn how to manage a P&L and you hate high administrative roles.
Review with Mentors & Manager
Talk through with your manager and mentors what you have considered in your list and seek their input on roles that may fit into your scope of interest.
Sometimes you may need to ‘ do some things you hate ‘ to get to where you can do the things you love or need to learn, for example most jobs have increasing amounts of administration as you get more senior.
Define target areas & Your pitch
So now you know the things you are aiming for and your mentors and manager have helped to recommend some business areas or maybe even specific roles for you to target.
Now you need to define your pitch, what do you want in your job and which departments or areas they likely exist.
From here it gets confronting – you set up interest interviews with the executives and managers in those departments where your future job exists. Your premise is that you may be interested in moving into their area and you would like to better understand what sort of roles exist and what skills you require before they would consider you. This is actually a thinly veiled attempt to let them ‘check you out’ and see ‘what you are about ‘. Who could resist a person coming to them and saying :
“I love leading people and have a talent for new business. I am looking for a role where I can take on a P&L, do you have any roles like that? “
What invariably can happen is that if they like you, you automatically get a place on their ‘bench’ and they may even want to discuss a job with you on the spot. It may not be the perfect role but it may get you closer. Worst case is that they don’t have any roles and give you some great advice and you now know another person for your network.
I have used this approach successfully for the past 5 years and recommend it to many people who come to me for advice. I generally find if they are considerate enough of their own needs & wants and bold enough to do the executive meetings then this pays off on most occasions.
Are you stuck in your search for a next role? Write to me and let me know how you go with my advice – Feel free to send me questions via comments. Good Luck !
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