Career Thought

While it has hopefully hasn’t become a nightmare, you may be coming to grips with the fact that your once-promising job has turned out to be “just another job,” after all. Surely, this is disappointing and disillusioning. But on another level, it’s also dangerous -- vocationally-speaking, that is -- because if you don’t face this unfortunate realization head-on, then you may derail your career momentum -- and spend months or even years getting back on track. 

Fortunately the key adjustments you need to make aren’t grueling. You simply need to go through a systematic 3-step process: reflect, reframe and re-brand.

Step 1: Reflect

Begin by taking some quality time -- it could take a few hours, or perhaps a weekend or two -- and reflect on what has or hasn’t happened to trigger your disengagement. A valuable question to ask is “Was this dream job great in reality -- or just in theory?” By objectively understanding what went wrong, you may be able to identify issues or perspectives that can be changed right now to improve the situation. This reflection can also help you determine whether you truly want to be in your current industry or discipline. If your answer is “yes,” then you’ll have a deeper understanding of what motivates you. If the answer is “no,” then you’ll have a basis upon which to start exploring new horizons; or perhaps re-claiming career aspirations that you put aside years or decades ago.

Step 2: Reframe

Next, it can be surprising helpful to reframe your current situation by looking at things through your superior’s eyes. Granted, this may be challenging if you’re currently not on the best terms with her or him. However, if you can dig deep and see your way clear through the dense emotional fog, you may discover that a fundamental cause of your job dissatisfaction is that you aren’t doing what your superior needs or expects. If so, then by recalibrating your expectations -- either on your own or together with your superior -- you may find yourself re-energized and motivated to accomplish something new and exciting; either in your present role, or in some other role with your current employer.

Yet sometimes, recalibrating expectations is neither feasible nor desirable. If so, then this reframing effort is still helpful, since it could provide you with valuable insights that will serve you well with your next employer -- and more specifically, your next superior.

Step 3: Re-Brand

If after reflecting and reframing you come to the conclusion that it’s ultimately in your best interest to move on -- and the sooner, the better – then the next step is to re-brand yourself so that you generate the right attention, and increase your chances of making a successful transition to a new team. While each professional is different and there is no “one-size-fits-all” template, generally speaking there are a few strategies that are worth looking into and, if appropriate, adding to your plan. These include:

• Optimizing your social media accounts, such as those on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The best advice here is to assume that every potential employer, colleague and influencer you know will read the content on these platforms, and form an opinion based on what they encounter.

• Network with the right people, by reaching out to company leaders and notable people in your industry. Clearly and concisely explain that you’re looking for a new situation, and how you wish to apply your talents, skills and expertise.

• Connect with recruiters specific to your discipline and industry, and find out how they can help augment your personal brand and connect you to potentially suitable opportunities. Ensure that you work with a recruiting partner that has experience serving professionals at your level. Indeed, there is a qualitatively different approach to serving the needs of top-level talent. The recruiting partner you choose should thoroughly understand this approach, and be able to explain and demonstrate it to you.

The Bottom Line

Accepting that your dream job has become “just another job” isn’t easy. In fact, it can be extremely frustrating and perhaps even heartbreaking. Be assured that there’s absolutely no shame in feeling this way. In fact, since you put your head and your heart into your work – and not just the former – it’s likely that you have some emotional wounds to heal as well.

However, as disappointed or disillusioned as you may feel right now, there are steps you can take – namely: reflect, reframe and re-brand – to help you move forward, whether with your current employer or with a new one.

With the right focus, method and partners, be assured that you’ll be enthusiastically moving ahead sooner than you realize, and getting back to doing what you do best: making an exceptional contribution, and elevating your career to new and higher levels!