On the scarcity of job opportunities at your level

Have you ever looked for something and then realized that it was right in front of you the whole time?

I have...

I’ve looked for my glasses that were on top of my head.

I’ve also looked for my phone that was in my hand.

It’s embarrassing to admit.

Sometimes what we are looking for is right in front of us, but we don’t see it.

When it comes to building a career you love,

Are jobs at your level really scarce?

A great-for-you job may not come along every day.

Or maybe, it's just hidden in plain sight.

Before we can really answer that question, we have to get on the same page. To do that, we'll start at the beginning.

[this is a 2-part newsletter]

Let's dig in...

Do you know where your career to go?

When I was a leading a team of recruiters, one of my regular 1:1 questions was:

what do you want to do next?

I asked this because experience taught me that the majority of the individuals on my team would not stay in talent acquisition.

It’s high-pressure and highly visible work. If you don’t love it, the burn out usually happens about three years in.

In some instances, I was able to seek out opportunities within the organization for individuals to work on projects outside of recruitment.

However, by far, the most common answer I got was, I don’t know.

I don’t know meant:

???? I’m busy and I don’t have time to figure it out

???? I’m unsure where I want to invest my time

???? I’m good where I am right now

If you’re starting at: I don’t know what I want to do next because I can do so many things.

You’re not alone.

The job market changes fast and you don’t want to be left behind.

And that’s the exact reason you don’t want to skip this first step.

The big headlines are not actionable unless you’ve identified what matters to you.

If you haven’t, you stay stifled and react to what comes your way or what you see others doing (thinking they must know something you don’t).

A study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior in 2021 found that individuals with a clear career vision and well-defined goals were 2.5 times more likely to report career satisfaction and advancement.

If you are tired of waiting for someone else to decide for you:

Take this action step:

Before you start collecting information about available jobs or companies that are hiring or contacting your network...

you must make a decision about what you desire to do next.

(To decide means to cut)

That’s step 1.

Seems obvious, right?

If I’ve learned anything from those 1:1s and the 50-something calls with business leaders in the last few months, it’s that most people can not fill in these blanks:

I desire X job at Y company.

Why do I think that level of specificity is necessary?

Because ...

... company size impacts what you do all day

... titles vary based on age and stage of company

... you CAN do a lot of things, not all of them are things you desire to do

(fear of missing a pivotal opportunity keeps our mouths shut on this one, it takes guts to say it out loud).

Step 2: Take steps in that direction consistently for a defined period of time.

That means you leave opportunities on the table because you decide that they are not worth the cost to you to apply.

???? One of my recent clients who did the work on this level of specificity, no longer felt obligated to spend every waking minute combing through a long list of jobs online.

???? Another realized that the last 10% of clarity she needed came after she took steps in a definite direction. Today, after removing “all the options”, she’s more enthusiastic about her career, not less.

This proactive approach is a key difference between those who feel empowered in their careers and those who feel left behind.

If that sounds like a luxury you can’t afford, ask someone who tossed aside this critical step to take what was available.

In the conversations I’ve had, people regret settling more than sticking it out.

But Sue:

"I've advanced in my career by taking advantage of opportunities as they came up."

You’re right, it does work – you’re living proof.

A reactive strategy isn’t bad, but it is limiting your options.

While you can be successful reacting to opportunities as they come your way, it’s contributing to your perspective that jobs at your level are scarce.

It’s okay to start with I don’t know, but if you want to advance your career you must decide.

It’s a choice you can’t afford NOT to make.

Without a clear decision, you cannot take clear action.

And your career advancement is merely a wish...

Some day I will…

I’d love to…

Wishes are great for birthday cakes, but not your career.

It takes definite steps in a definite direction

This is not a one-and-done decision.

Making your next move so you can build a career you love can be like finding a perfect pair of jeans.

Going to the store (job market) and picking up a bunch of jeans off the rack you will quickly conclude that nothing fits (no jobs at your level).

When you go to the store with a specific wash and style in mind, 90% of the jeans will not be for you so you don't even bother trying them on.

Thus, saving your energy, and enthusiasm for finding the right pair.

If you have ever tried on 20 pairs of jeans and walked out of the store frustrated and still empty-handed, you know what I’m talking about.

When you start with specifics, you aren’t distracted by the 90% of jeans sitting on the shelf, you are only concerned about the 10% that could possibly be your right fit.

When you do find a possible pair for you in that 10% of jeans...

?? You can’t just look at them

?? You can’t just think about how they look

You actually have to try them on if you want to really know how they will fit:

Do they cut your abdomen in half when you sit down?

Gap at the waist?

You’ll only know when you put them on and get the resounding yes or the heck no.

You'll also know the right fit when it comes to a job:

Yeah this is right for me.

Or

Nah, now that I know more, this is not for me.

I recommend 30 days

If you take consistent, specific action for 30 days,

it’s long enough to get real data and short enough that you aren’t running after another shiny object in just a week.

You may not have full clarity in those 30 days but you’ll be one giant mother-may-I step closer.

If it’s been longer than 30 days and you’re not even a baby step closer, take a second look.

Ask yourself these questions:

???? What actions have you taken consistently over the last 30 days?

???? What did you uncover about what you want to do next?

???? Are you more or less enthusiastic about your next career move?

If you haven’t uncovered enough or you’re less enthusiastic, take another look at what you spent your time doing.

You may be making too many adjustments too quickly or spreading your time and attention too thin.

In other words:

1. Decide

2. Take specific steps for a defined period of time (I recommend 30 days)

3. Make adjustments

Stephen Covey said:

"If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster."

If you know what you want your next move to be, don't miss the next newsletter - that one just for you!

Get out there.

You got this.

Rooting for you!

Sue