‘I’m unemployed but I still want to find my Dream Job’

Today I’m analysing the situation of a new client I recently met. Let’s call her Jen.

Jen reached out to me as she wanted to join my Creative Career Level Up programme. I always take a call with people who are interested in joining the programme - just to make sure it is the right fit.

The first thing Jen told me is that her role had been made redundant. She was currently not working and was trying to decide what her right next move was.

What’s the challenge?

Jen is stuck in that challenging situation where her heart is saying ‘Go after your Dream Job’ but her head is saying ‘we need to pay rent, there is no time for Dream Jobs!’.

I know this situation all too well after finding myself unemployed back in 2014. It’s not easy.

How did she get here?

Jen - by her own admission - should have left her previous job long before the role was made redundant. 

She had been bored. And on many occasions thought she should find a new role. Jen wanted to find her ‘dream job’ but was too scared to leave the comfort of her previous role.

Now that role has gone, she really wants to use this as an opportunity to find something she really loves!

But, maybe she should be focused on getting ‘any old job’? 

My Thoughts

I can really relate to Jen’s predicament. Your role being made redundant can be a huge opportunity BUT it can also be very scary.

‘Any Old Job'

Jen mentioned several times that perhaps she should just focus on ‘any old job (AOJ)’. Meaning ‘any old job’ is easier to secure. 

I do think this is a false assumption. Especially in a challenging job market like this one. AOJ can often require as much effort to secure as the Dream Job.

Having said that, if there is a role that feels easier to obtain, it's worth understanding what constitutes AOJ. 

For example, if the Dream Job is changing industries, then yes, this might be harder to secure versus staying in your current industry. 

So it’s important to define what AOJ actually means and determine if it is actually easier.

‘Two Track Approach’

My suggestion with clients who have lost their job is a two track approach. On one track we define what AOJ might be and put a plan together to secure this quickly if possible. 

However, we do the work to know what the Dream Job is. And make a plan to go after this as well. 

The two plans will look very different. More energy and effort will go into the Dream Job - it’s typically harder to secure. But there are still lots of way to go after AOJ that increase your chances of securing it.

Do the work for the future

If you are able to secure AOJ and do it quickly, then the decision becomes whether to take AOJ or to wait and see if you can secure your Dream Job. 

This really comes down to how you are feeling mentally (not working) and how long you can last financially. It differs for everyone. But for most people I encounter, they can't afford to take too long before working again, so AOJ is a great solution.

But they keep doing the work for the future. They don't just start AOJ and leave it. 

They start AOJ and then make plans for the Dream Job. They plan for the future, with the intention of staying in AOJ for no longer than a year.

If you are struggling with your job hunt and would like support working through challenges like this one, the Creative Career Level Up could be right for you!