What’s a career strategy, and why you need one
A career strategy is really just knowing what you want + having a plan to get there.
It does not need to be complicated.
In fact, I recommend that it NOT be (I’ve included an example at the bottom of this email for those who’d like to see what I mean).
Make it short and sweet.
Say what you want. And then explain how you’ll get there.
If you’re panicking right now it’s probably because:
You don’t know what you want
You know what you want, but don’t believe it’s possible
You don’t believe that you have the skills or background to pull it off
You’ve become jaded / cynical
You’re afraid of landing in yet another disappointing role
You might fail
Any one of these thoughts could keep you from taking your next steps.
That’s where the mental game comes in.
Whether you change roles or decide to go independent, the leap is going to take a lot of mental strength.
You’ll need stamina and resilience.
I think of stamina as the will to keep going. It’s one foot in front of the other.
Resilience is the ability to get back on the horse when you fall off.
You’re going to hear “no” a lot – especially if you’re trying to level up in some way.
And you won't just hear it from recruiters, HR, and hiring managers.
You’ll hear it from colleagues, friends, and family members who don’t get what you’re doing or don’t know that it’s possible.
Though well meaning, these people don’t always know what’s best for you.
But you know who does? You!
Do not let other people’s limitations become your own.
Set your own goals.
Then take responsibility for achieving them.
Part of taking responsibility means vetting the people you share your dreams with.
Some people simply cannot support you in where you’re trying to go – either because they don’t believe in you or they don’t believe in themselves.
Either way, exercise discernment.
I always ask myself, “has this person ever attempted to do what I’m doing?”
If the answer is “no,” I don’t dwell much on their opinion.
If the answer is yes, I thoughtfully consider what they’re saying and learn whatever I can from it.
At the end of the day, remember that countless people have likely made the exact jump that you’re looking to make.
They’ve faced their fears and landed successfully on the other side.
If they can do it, you can too.
It’s ok to be scared.
It’s ok to doubt yourself and/or wonder whether or not you’re making “the right” decisions.
This is all part of the process.
Just keep your eye on the prize.
And get a career strategy in place like I mentioned above.
Oh! And here’s Career Strategy Example that I promised:
What I want: To land a new role by October 15, 2024 that fulfills the following conditions:
Making $250,000+ / year
Can be a full-time role, but also open to going independent
Doing work I like + am good at
Surrounded by good people
Lots of flexibility and autonomy
Hybrid work model
Leverages my core skills which are ___, ___, and ___.
How to get there:
Have 50 one on one conversations with my network
Investigate career transitions
Explore the possibility of going independent
Apply to 100 roles in 3 months
Make every conversation count. Use every day as an opportunity to grow, learn, and ultimately create the opportunity I’m looking for.
Thanks For Reading!
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