You are on the Hunt to Reinvent Yourself
What should you do?
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States boasted a robust job market and hot economy.
Salary increases, substantial bonuses, getting onto the fast track and acquiring stock options were highly prized and strongly desired.
Now, it seems that many people are rethinking their career choices. They’re reevaluating their job search and starting to think differently about what they truly want to do with their lives. Instead of being motivated by money and status, people are seeking out opportunities that offer meaning and a sense of purpose. They’re willing to sacrifice fancy titles, marquee brand corporations and all of the accoutrements attendant with a high-end company, in lieu of pursuing a worthwhile life that may positively impact others and could potentially change the world for the better.
This global event has helped people arrive at the conclusion that life’s too short and shouldn’t be wasted on a career in which they derive little internal intrinsic value.
The first question that I get asked is: Where do I start? Having gone through several personal and professional re-inventions myself, I have found great value in beginning with a deep exploration into my values. This consists of the following important questions to ask yourself.
- What’s important to my emotional development?
- What’s important to my economic goals?
- What’s important to my interpersonal and social/ethical perspective?
All three are equally important and must be looked at holistically and practically. We can stand back and look at our lives as they were pre-coronavirus, and examine if we were happy and if our finances survived. In our society we seem to be perpetually busy and for many of us, this outbreak has been a hard stop for us personally and professionally.
How to Reinvent Yourself
Make a Bucket List
If you’re feeling stuck, take some time out for yourself to imagine what your career and life could be. The power of asking yourself key questions and writing things down shows how this simple act brings clarity and forward momentum in fulfilling one’s aspirations and purpose.
Try something you’ve always put off or did not think you could do.
- Is there something you once passionately thought you’d do, but didn’t? Or wanted to do and felt you could not do?
Small step ideas:
Do your research on the job. Do you need a degree for the position?
See if the company hires temporary employees and take a job as their temporary to see if the job is a good fit.
Ask your network for an informational interview.
Search on LinkedIn or your Alumni association for volunteer positions with the company.
Big step idea:
Hire an executive or career coach to guide you through the process of a career change. Find one who has done what you want to do. If it’s serving in the C-Suite, find a coach who has been there and done that – she or he will have real world experiences that you get only from the school of hard knocks.
Recognize Resistance
Have you been turned down several times for interviews in the new career?
Have you stopped looking for that ultimate new job because you are tired of rejection?
Looking for a job is a numbers game. The more you submit your resume, the closer you are to landing that job.
It’s important to know that whether you want to take a big step or a small step in reinventing yourself, you will face resistance. It can take the form of guilt, fear, uncertainty, or timidity. It is different from due diligence – resistance is unreasonable, irrational, and full of unfounded fear and excuses. Resistance is the #1 culprit that stops people from making a change.
So, when you feel resistance, take it as confirmation that you should proceed. In fact, there is no greater indication that you are on the right track and that your goals and dreams are worth pursuing than to encounter resistance. To push through resistance, you need to challenge your fears and doubts, focus on your aspirations, and do the hard work to overcome your fear.
Write a Career Change Cover Letter and Resume
When you’re ready to start applying for jobs in your new industry, be sure to write a cover letter that reflects your aspirations, why you want to work for their company and share any transferable skills. Give the hiring manager a reason to review your resume.
Write your resume that will highlight your similar skills, use the same language that is listed in their job description.
I hope you have gained inspiration from these tips on how to reinvent yourself — and feel confident to move ahead and live the life you truly want. Through the power of reinvention, you will better understand yourself and what you are capable of achieving.
I’d love to hear from you – what challenge or opportunity is on your mind and how can I help you wrestle with any obstacles. You can reach me, Cindy Fassler, at cindy@cindyfassler.com . I respond to all of my emails and look forward to learning more about you!
Do you feel like you need help with a specific direction, a special passion?
Reach out to me and let’s schedule a 30-minute zoom call to provide a bit of strategy.