Could you describe your job as exciting? If you hesitate, stutter or think it’s bland, it’s time to rethink your career.
Many people end up in a job because someone they respect recommended it, or it was an opportunity you could not pass. If you are not excited about what you do, it is not too late to change your career. But this time, you should put more thought into it and craft a careful plan.
At ExecutiveOne, we have an award-winning team of CV writers and career experts ready to help you realise your dream. Below is an 8-step checklist to help you get started on your move to a new and exciting job.
1. Figure out what you want or don’t want
Why don’t you like your present job? Does it complement your interests and personality? For example, would you prefer interacting with people, or are you more comfortable in the back office?
Be clear about your personality, likes, and dislikes.
However, be aware that a job that meets your criteria may be hard to find. Therefore, come up with a list of essentials versus non-essentials. It will make the search less frustrating.
2. Examine your options – SWOT yourself
What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? Just like organisations evaluate their positions, you can use this to position yourself for an exciting career. For example, if you want to move into decision-making and strategy building but have no management experience, a management course to help bridge the gap.
Your next job would be more exciting if it matches your skillset and complements your personality.
3. Get help from professional CV writers
Once you have figured out your list of essentials, strengths, and weaknesses, use them to write an effective CV.
Developing a well-written CV will take time, and it could be frustrating. You need help from someone up-to-date with current trends and methods recruiters use to select talent.
Professional CV writers at Executive One can help you develop an effective resume. Your CV will be personalised and portray you as progressive and proactive. Get in touch with one of our consultants and get help in planning your next career move.
4. Check with your mentors
Famous French novelist Marcel Proust said, “no man is a complete mystery except to himself.”
Perhaps it is hard to be objective about yourself. Or maybe you are shortchanging or downplaying your strengths when doing the SWOT.
Do you have friends or colleagues you can talk with openly?
A mentor can help you put things in perspective and have a more objective view. Better still, talk with a professional recruiter who can tell you about the skillset, industry, and how you measure up to the competition.
5. Can you fix your current workplace?
Could you be in the perfect workplace, but you had not noticed?
Speak to your manager about your career desires. If you want a better work-life balance, a more challenging role, or higher pay, speaking with your manager will help.
Find out if you can fix your current workplace. If not, it would be a good time to look elsewhere. The following steps will help you.
6. Think about the kind of workplace you want
The pandemic changed the way we view workplaces. But rather than a physical environment, think about the culture and values of your next employer.
Would you prefer formal processes, dressing, and structure? Or are you a free spirit; Do you like entrepreneurial environments and spontaneity?
Think about what truly brings out the best in you and whether your next job would do it.
7. Build your digital profile
Without a doubt, the world of work has changed. Companies no longer rely on traditional tactics to find talent and recruit.
According to Peter Capelli’s piece in the Harvard Business Review, more organisations are turning to digital technology for recruitment, especially for senior roles, to cut recruiting costs.
Although Peter (and many other experts) may not fully agree with the method, you should ride with the tide. Have a digital profile primed for success.
Spruce up your profile on platforms like LinkedIn. Boost your visibility by linking with the right groups and professional associations. Contribute to conversations and debates during professional virtual events. You could be the target for headhunters or listed in the unofficial talent pools.
8. Lastly, put more effort into networking
Enhancing your digital profile will also help in building your networks. Research shows that networking is the number one job searching strategy anyone could have.
As you work on the items on this checklist, ensure you are in the right network.
Linking up with the right people opens your eyes to opportunities and improves your chances of landing the perfect job. Look out for online and offline events, discussions, and meetups. Contribute thoughtful ideas, and be more social. You could be chatting with the right person.
