‘I've never had to apply for any jobs. Things just always fell in my lap’

This week I’m analysing the situation of a lovely girl who recently reached out to me via Linkedin. Let’s call her Amber.

Amber reached out because she loathes her job. And she can’t work out how she ended up here. 

She is in her mid-30s and has realised that she has spent her whole career doing something she hates.

What’s the challenge?

Amber recently turned 35 and it dawned on her - not only does she not like her job, she has NEVER liked her job. Amber knows it’s time to find something she really loves but has absolutely no idea where to start. 

Unfortunately, now that she is job hunting in a tough market, she has realised she doesn't have the skills to secure her next role. 

How did she get here?

Amber finished university and took the first role that she could get. An SEO role with a small media agency. She didn't love it. But she never dreamed she’d spent the next 12 years working in SEO.

As her career progressed, promotions were offered and eventually she moved to work for a big global FMCG company - all jobs that were offered to her without having to compete on the open market. 

Initially Amber thought never having to apply for a job was something to brag about. 

But now she is realising... having never learnt the skills of job hunting is effecting the opportunities in her career.

My Thoughts

I speak to a lot of people like Amber who have never had to apply for a job. It sounds like a dream! Until you realise that you have never made any of your own decisions about your career. You have simply followed what other people were offering you. 

In other words, you have passively sleepwalked your way through your career. And now you are realising you have a career you never chose. 

Here’s what I recommend Amber or anyone else in this situation does.

Get clear on what you want

The first thing you have to do is get clear on what you do want. 

It’s not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of options out there and it will take time to work out which one is right for you. But you have to put the time in. No more shortcuts.

Be strategic and intentional

Being passive is what got you here. From now on you must be strategic and intentional. That means making decisions that are thought through and considered. 

Don’t allow other people to guide you. 

Drive your career in the direction you want it to go. 

Be willing to put in the hard work

Your career so far has been easy. Things ‘fell your in lap’. 

Because you took the easy route for so long, now the hard work starts. 

You have to be prepared to put in the hard work. Changing the direction of your career after 12 years will not be easy. But it is possible with some guidance and hard work.

Learn some new skills

The final thing is you need to be prepared to learn some new skills - the skill of job hunting. 

Most people dramatically underestimate the skills involved in job hunting and are shocked when their poor skill-set yields no results.

If you learn the skill of job hunting, you will never go hungry. You’ll always be able to hustle out the best opportunities. It's a skill worth learning.

If you want to be strategic and intentional with your next career move, the Creative Career Level Up might be the right solution for you.