Finding Your Career Direction

By Barb Smith

Where do I go from here? What do I really want to do for the rest of my career? Where will I find job satisfaction?

In the world of job search, there can often be more questions than answers, and finding a clear focus or direction can certainly fall into that category. Perhaps you’re considering leaving a position that is unfulfilling, or maybe you’ve been “invited to leave” a position you loved. Either way, once you are ready to start taking steps toward finding the next position, a clear understanding of where you want to go is essential. It’s difficult to move in the right direction when you don’t know where you want to end up.

While there are many tools and resources to help you decide on your direction, another way to begin answering the question is to consider exactly where fulfillment came from (or did not come from) in your previous position.

Was it:

• The industry (I just know I want to stay in manufacturing. It’s where the action is!)
• The company (The company I was in was too small. There was no opportunity for advancement.)
• The function (Marketing is exciting, but my heart is really in Human Resources.)
  

Certainly changing industries can be a challenge and for some companies, industry experience is a definite requirement. So, if changing industries is your path to job satisfaction, seek out ways in which you can gain experience (or at least exposure) in the industry of your choice.


Moving to a different company within the same industry can be done more easily. Be sure you understand what you want in a company – the right size, culture, values – so you don’t end up with another mismatch.

Changing functions is likely the most difficult. That’s not to say it can’t be done, it definitely can, as long as you are willing to do the work. If you have been a good contributor in one function, you may be able to negotiate a change with your current employer. If this is out of the question, moving to a different function may mean an investment in educating yourself to gain the appropriate credentials. It may also mean taking an entry-level position to get your foot in the door.

Finding your career direction may be challenging, even frustrating, but once the decision is made and you are committed to it, you will find the rest of your search becomes so much easier. The direction you choose will impact every other decision you will be called upon to make during your search. Take the time to make the right decision for you.

Barb Smith is a professional Job Search Coach in London, Ontario who applies the employer’s perspective when helping individuals find satisfying jobs with a minimum of stress and frustration. For more information, contact Barb at 519.691.0218 or email barb@barbsmithjobsearchcoach.ca. www.BarbSmithJobSearchCoach.ca

Published in Networking Today, January, 2007