Career Connections

I’ve been in my current position for 4 years now and found that I’ve outgrown it.  I started looking for a new position about a year ago, but am having a hard time staying motivated and focused.  Do you have any advice to keep me motivated and moving forward in my job search? — submitted by Tracey '86

This is a common problem for job seekers who are currently employed in positions that they are ambivalent about.  Their job is fine and they would like something new, but it’s not a bad enough situation that they are motivated to make a change. 
Start by making a timeline for when you really want to leave your job.  It might be in 3 months, or a year, or 4 years.  This will help guide you through the process and determine how much time and effort you will put into your search.  From there, work backwards to present day and develop a task list of what you need to accomplish to reach your goal.  If you want to change careers to something that will require you to get an advanced degree, start by researching education programs and completing the prerequisites.  If you want to find a job as soon as possible, start by blocking off 10-15 hours a week that you will dedicate to your job search.
Some job seekers simply run out of ideas for what they should be doing to find a job.  If that is the case, try some of these activities:

  • Update your resume
  • Call the people you plan on using as references
  • Attend a networking event for the professional group for your field
  • Update your LinkedIn profile (or build one if you have not done so yet)
  • Add twenty contacts to your LinkedIn group
  • Check out the advice on Maroon Central   
  • Take an adult education class
  • Let people know that you are looking for a new opportunity
  • Sign up for a career-related webinar
  • Find someone in the field you are interested to do an informational interview
  • Research 5 companies you are interested in working for on the internet
  • Join a job search group in your area
  • Read career-related books and trade journals
  • Visit your local one stop career center
  • Network, network, network.