Is it time for your next gig? Are you ready for change but not sure how to take the first step ….? Here’s six to get you started!
Step 1 – Decide
This seems obvious, but don’t forget to decide. There’s a book I love called, What Colour is your Parachute? By Richard N Bolles. It will help you figure out the next step, and declutter all the companies that aren’t the right size, location, type of work, level of importance and what it is that you are actually looking for. Next …
Step 2 – Learn about them
This is your opportunity to familiarise yourself with the why. Start at their website. Look at their current projects and what they’ve got going on. Does something stand out? Google their Financial Reports and read the most recent, back-to-back.
Step 3 – There’s no traffic on the extra mile
Learn about the What … Don’t waste down time on Facebook or cruising Netflix… set up Google alerts for perfectly curated newsfeed directly to your inbox, based around keywords that identify the organisation or projects you want. Setup Google Alerts to notify you when it finds a new article based on your search. Thinking backwards from the Goal, what is it that you’re looking to learn about?
Step 4 – Build a network
Now, who will be with you on your journey? In your personalised newsletter that Google now sends to you everyday are the names of the individuals who you are curious about, because they’re in the area of where you want to be. So – tell them that. Reach out to them online, and let them know you’re curious and that you want to meet for a virtual coffee. Introduce yourself, and simply be curious. Find ways to introduce yourself to them… be creative.
Step 5 – Get Experience
Volunteer in the field you want to work in, or in a role that is of a similar level in a different industry. Invite yourself over …. Write letters. Call them. Have a coffee. Speak to their values. FInd common ground. There’s another great book called “Career Leap” by Michelle Gibbings. It talks about skills experience transfers across industries, and also in where you can build upon existing skills to “leap” into where you want to head.
Step 6 – Get out of your own way
Don’t let fear, doubt, procrastination or a long list of “what ifs” get in your way. Feel the fear, and do it anyway. You’ve got this 😉 I also love the book, Get Out of Your Own Way – Overcoming Self Defeating Behaviour by By Mark Glouston and Phillip Goldberg. Practical and insightful… you’ve got this!
