Figure out what you want (and don’t want)
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
Isolate your target job & pick the job that’s right for you!
It would be easy to panic and say that you can’t worry about what you want right now. That would be a mistake – for three reasons:
- First, it will REALLY slow down your job search. The more clarity you have around what you want next, the faster & easier you will find it. Period.
- Second, you will be a MUCH more attractive candidate if you can tell them with confidence what you want, and why their project of job is exciting to you.
- Third, you CAN reinvent, repackage, and chase your dreams … even in the middle of this Coronavirus epidemic. You might have to put off the ultimate dream because you need money right now, or because you can’t find that dream job fast enough … but you might find it right now, too!
This is a good time to re-evaluate. What you want out of life and career changed over time. For instance, when I was little all I wanted to do was get a job traveling all over the world. Now, I love travel … but I don’t want to be a road warrior (traveling 100% of the time for work). When I was fresh out of college, I didn’t mind an hour-long commute or working 80 hours a week. Now, I feel very differently about that. My priorities have changed, and I make very different decisions.
Only you can decide what matters most to you – and in what order. Our careers and our lives are very tightly connected. Take some time to think about what matters most to you right now in your career and your personal life.