Is it ok to take a side step when looking for a job?

• Should I take a job offer for a role I know isn't my ideal role?
• Should I set up a side hustle?
• Will it look bad for my CV if I take a lower paid / level role to what I want?
• I am worried about what my next employer will think when I go for that "ideal role" if I am in a "non ideal role".

In my last newsletter, I gave from the heart tips of my learnings when getting my business off the ground amidst a whole heap of uncertainty in my life.

I often talk about embracing uncertainty and focussing on what you can control.

When I look back at my own career transition in January 2021, there is something that was in my control, that I did not do, and I paid the price emotionally, mentally and financially. It's something I look back on and ask myself :-

"why didn't I advise myself what I would have advised one of my clients? I mean, this is what you do for a living and help others to do Suzanne, so why the hell didn't you practise what you preach and take your own advice?!"

Ok, it wasn't exactly "normal" times when we were all in lockdown, so I will go a bit easier on myself here, but if I can use my own learnings to help others right now, especially with the current job market, then this post is worth me penning.

When I found myself out of work at the end of my fix term contract at the end of December 2020 and started Career Studios, I lost financial, work and relationship security all at once. The pressure of not earning and living off savings, paid heavily on my mental health and well-being.

What I didn't do, was get some work as a stop gap, make a shout out to my network that I was open to work and get my own needs met, whilst I found my feet. Truth is I thought I could fly, when at the time, what I needed, was to keep my feet on the ground and put my own needs first.

I am seeing a lot of open to work posts right now and a concern to many people, when they find themselves out of work, is whether they should take "any job", "start a side hustle", "pivot" or "take something lower level, to pay the bills".

My advice now, is, to do what YOU need to do.

Some people want to take time out, spend time with family and have a financial situation that allows them to do so. That's absolutely fine, as taking a step back can really help with clarity.

Some people want to start a side hustle, to take advantage of being in career transition, to give it a go and see what comes of it, before or whilst looking for a new job / business venture / contract etc.

Some people, finds it adds immense pressure to their job search / business set up, when they are not earning and living off savings. Yet they worry that "it will look bad" to take something else, whilst in pursuit of "the right role".

If we think of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, our psychological safety needs, are the base of the hierarchy and need to be met first, before advancing to the higher level needs. They include: food, shelter, heating, sleep and other basic human needs. The next level up the pyramid is safety, which includes: financial safety, health and emotional security.

If I could go back and give myself advice then, it would be

"Focus on your physiological and safety needs first."

Take that pressure off first, in the way you need, then work your way up the pyramid.

On refection, the type of work that would have suited me then, with how exhausted I felt in the amidst of homeschooling and divorcing, would have been a step down, to have prioritised my mental health and well-being.

I am not writing this to dwell, or regret, or feel sorry for myself, I am penning this as a reminder to anyone who finds themselves in this situation.

My key message in this newsletter is:

It's ok to take a side step, diagonal step, backward step, whilst searching for that ideal next step. It's important to put you first and do what you need to do, at that moment in time.

Because let's face it, whether starting a side hustle, taking a job at a different level, or in a different industry, shows a future employer different qualities, like resourcefulness, adaptability, flexibility, initiative, resilience and drive. Those are awesome transferable skills to demonstrate at interview.

What do I hope from this share today:

• That if you are concerned about taking a side step, step down, step up, step diagonal, do what YOU need to do.
• That if you are an employer, interviewing now or in the future and you interview a candidate for a role, who took a different step to do what they needed to do at the time, that you will see, in a positive light, whatever step that person chose to make at that time in their life and consider all the qualities they will bring.

Team Penny HQ

What's happening here?

Do you mind if I do a shout out here ?! Social media is a great way of helping small businesses get visible... On Wednesday 8th May, Mandy Withers and I are delivering webinar, to HR Consultants and organisations on 'How to Conduct Redundancy Consultation meetings'.

BOOK HERE

I have been coaching some wonderful clients, some are private executive clients, a couple of whom I get to coach face to face in the South West which is a joy, and some, whose organisation funded outplacement support for them to help them navigate chapter 2. It can make such a difference to get support and a reminder that we offer a range of outplacement support, including 1:1 and executive coaching, blended with our digital and live webinars/workshops, which include: reflections for clarity, leading change and resilience, full range of job search webinars, interview skills, and first 90 days in a new role.

If you are interested in coaching for you or your team, whether outplacement to land a new role, or leadership coaching to excel at work, do reach out.

BOOK HERE

Having got accredited in Everything DiSC this year, I want to get confident with delivering it in a group setting. I am going to offer a couple of organisations a lunch and learn webinar with me, to support their team to enhance relationships and collaboration. Organisations that want a half or full day for their teams, I am offering 20% off throughout May. Email me if you are interested at:

[email protected] or DM me.

With lots of redundancies being announced, a reminder of my Digital course library, giving you loads of information and tools to navigate your career transition, for instant access to key resources and help - Lost to Hired

At home, it's been a busy time coming up to GSCE's and SATS. I have been helping both the kids and hands up, I don't know know the answers to half of the questions. They are so random, like, "how are the gas exchange surfaces of an elephant adapted to maximise effectiveness?" WTF??

First GSCE starts in a weeks time, so it's going to be an interesting time!

Here's to your adventure, to yours and to mine,

Suzanne x