You have decided to return to the workforce and
are checking off the boxes for the many to-do items like resume, references, networking, elevator pitch, technology skill refreshing, social media presence, etc. You are getting better at telling people you are looking for a job. Then comes the dreaded question, "What do you want to do?"
Maybe you are one of the lucky ones with a specialized background in law or accounting, for example, and you want to return to that arena. Although there is still work to do, at least the focus is narrow.
On the other hand, if you are like so many others without a specialized background or clear path, the "what do you want to do" question is often followed by a long pause. You have the elevator pitch on your skills, background, and the type of position you are looking for. BUT, can you really answer that question honestly?
Perhaps now is the time to pause and reflect on what it is you really want to do for your career. If you could do anything, ideally, what would it be? Even if you had a full time job, shouldn't you be asking yourself the same question?
Take some time to consider your passions and skills. Is there a job that would pay you to do what you'd love to do? Isn't now the time to figure out what the ideal job would be?
Once you have an idea, go get more information by doing informational interviews with people who are in the field or related field. Consider taking a training class, a course, or volunteering to learn more. Build a list of questions and find the answers. Maybe you can create the career you really want instead of just finding a job.
You can do the ideal career search and general job search in tandem. But why not investigate what could become a dream job? You have to try if you want to succeed.
To quote Mel Robbins, author of The 5 Second Rule, "Unsuccessful people make decisions based on their current situation. Successful people make decisions based on where they want to be."
Maybe you are one of the lucky ones with a specialized background in law or accounting, for example, and you want to return to that arena. Although there is still work to do, at least the focus is narrow.
On the other hand, if you are like so many others without a specialized background or clear path, the "what do you want to do" question is often followed by a long pause. You have the elevator pitch on your skills, background, and the type of position you are looking for. BUT, can you really answer that question honestly?
Perhaps now is the time to pause and reflect on what it is you really want to do for your career. If you could do anything, ideally, what would it be? Even if you had a full time job, shouldn't you be asking yourself the same question?
Take some time to consider your passions and skills. Is there a job that would pay you to do what you'd love to do? Isn't now the time to figure out what the ideal job would be?
Once you have an idea, go get more information by doing informational interviews with people who are in the field or related field. Consider taking a training class, a course, or volunteering to learn more. Build a list of questions and find the answers. Maybe you can create the career you really want instead of just finding a job.
You can do the ideal career search and general job search in tandem. But why not investigate what could become a dream job? You have to try if you want to succeed.
To quote Mel Robbins, author of The 5 Second Rule, "Unsuccessful people make decisions based on their current situation. Successful people make decisions based on where they want to be."
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