“I want a new job, but I don’t know where to start”

Have you ever thought “I want a new job, but I have no idea where to start”? You’re not alone. Many of my clients come to me, not because they aren’t capable of getting a new role but because they don’t know where to begin.

Why career blocks are useful

Feeling stuck can be frustrating and for some, debilitating. When we come to a block in our careers it is often a mental one. We might have a plan, an idea of what our career might look like in our minds but life doesn’t always play along!

The blocks are useful though as they require us to take a step back, reflect and get creative. They build resilience. Whilst I don’t believe our core values change over time, our purpose can and does.  Think back, is what was important to you at aged 18 important to you now? I would hazard a guess the answer would be no. Taking some time to work out what is meaningful to you now might take some work but I promise it will be worthwhile.

Shutting down the voice in your head

The first step is to get rid of the gremlins on your shoulder. You know, that little voice inside you which is telling you that you can’t get a new role, that you wouldn’t be able to make it in a new career or other delightful thoughts. Resist the urge to compare yourself to others and be kind to yourself. 

Understanding which career is right for you

The next step is to understand what holds meaning for you. I would recommend starting with your values and then move on to getting clear on how that fits with your career e.g.

• working closely with others
• how long your commute is and how you’ll get there
• flexible working and/or full/part time
• a focus on a particular aspect of working e.g. problem solving, creative thinking etc.

Then look for opportunities which match these aspects. Think of companies which might meet your criteria – you can use www.glassdoor.co.uk and www.linkedin.com to find out more about the companies you are looking at.

Finally, consider your strengths and skills; the bits of your job that you really enjoy doing! If you want to understand which jobs might suit you then I recommend a career quiz. (I like this one by www.prospects.ac.uk because it was really accurate for me!)

Talk to your tribe

Whether you need help identifying what’s important to you or learning more about jobs and companies – talk to your friends and family. It really helps when you have clarity about what you want so that you can explain it to others.

If you are looking for a complete change in career, try getting some experience via your tribe. It might be through volunteering, shadowing someone else or taking on a short contract.