You are in an ideal position. You have a job, the bills are being paid, it is convenient, etc. The ideal position is that you can afford the time to find what you want to do as the next step in your career, and you don't have to jump at something because the pets are going unfed. This is not a gratitude talk but rather a get busy talk. This is where the first saying applies. The good news is I don't hear that you are quite at the appalled level, just the bored level.
So now is the time to get busy. Let's look at what you should be doing. Four questions I always ask a client or a candidate, depending on whether I am in the recruiting or coaching mode, are:
- What do you like about your current position (i.e., responsibilities and functions)?
- What don't you like?
- What functions (i.e., as responsibilities and duties) would you put in the ideal job? The sky is the limit.
- What are the five or six critical things you are looking for in the next company (i.e., management style and size)?
Once you have reviewed these things, here are some other things you should be considering:
- Commute time to work
- Travel you would be willing to do
- Willing to relocate?
- Compensation: Are you willing to take less to be challenged and enjoy your job?
I once heard someone talk about a good friend who hated his job. They said this friend wanted to be an attorney (no jokes, please) but would have to finish up his undergrad and go to law school. This gentleman asked his friend, "Why didn't he do it?" The friend responded that it would take 7-10 years. The gentleman responded, "Where are you going to be in 7-10 years if you don't?" Still hating his job is where. My oldest daughter is 35 and a single mother of a five-year-old. Interestingly enough, her dream has always been to be an attorney. She went back to school about four years ago. She started out at our local community college and received an associates in paralegal. Last year she started full time at the University of Dayton and will graduate with her bachelors this spring. Next year she will either go off to law school or start working on a master's degree in international law. She is half way there, or more, from where she started. But the key is that she started. And yes, I am a very proud father.
Over the last four or five years, I have seen a lot of people at my age (Boomers) go back into corporate America. One of the biggest reasons I see this is for the insurance benefits. I am not interested in having a political discussion here on health care. But I think everyone, whatever their political ideology, will agree that we have a problem with health care, and no one is quite sure how to fix it. I only bring this issue up because it is a very legitimate concern for Boomers and has to weigh into many people's decisions.
People also have to think outside of the box. This is much easier for sales people because they always like to think outside of the box and create challenges (read problems for everyone else). But for people in more analytical professions like you, this can be a challenge and a bit uncomfortable. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Have you considered offering to take on other responsibilities/challenges within the company, maybe a special project your boss has wanted or needed to do but hasn't had the time to work on? After all, you have functioned at his level. Can you be working on getting to a more senior position in another division of the company? Can you funnel some of the "creative juices" that aren't being used into doing volunteer work for a non-profit?
I hope this has challenged you and made you think out of the comfort level of the box. As that famous Chinese philosopher said, "A thousand mile journey begins with the first step, but it would have been nice to have a segue."
Wishing you good hunting,
Bill
About the Author
Bill Gaffney has spent the last 17 years as an executive recruiter and career coach. Bill can be reached at 937-567-5267 or wmgaffney@prodigy.net or askamaxa@yahoo.com.
