How to find your next step

The world of work has changed so much over the past several decades. People are no longer expected to accept a job at a young age and stay at the same company until they retire. In fact, people are no longer even expected to stay in the same profession until they retire.

People of all ages know these norms have changed over the years. And, when the pandemic hit, they allowed themselves to reevaluate what they really wanted out of their careers. We’re now witnessing an unprecedented moment in the workforce when people are moving around unlike ever before.

Of course, not everyone is making career moves. Some people may be happy with their current trajectory or job. Then, there may be others who want to shake things up but don’t know where to start.

I recently chatted with Kyle Elliott, who is a career and interview coach, about career changes during a LinkedIn audio event. You may know Elliott as Caffeinated Kyle and as a member of a previous class of LinkedIn Top Voices in Job Search and Careers.

One of the topics we discussed was how a person can find the next step in their career when they don’t know where to go. If you are in this position, Elliott offered some great advice and steps to take to find what might work for you.

Elliott said to first draw a five-by-five grid on a piece of paper. Write five things or activities that you enjoy in each of the boxes in the left column of the grid. Next to each of those items, write down a reason you enjoy that thing or activity in the four remaining boxes. 

While the grid won’t magically reveal a new career or profession that’s right for you, the exercise should provide you with some direction for your next move. For example, what jobs or careers are available that would allow you to include some of those things or activities. Or, what professions exist that align with the reasons you like those five things or activities.

Of course, writing words on a piece of paper is much easier than taking the leap into a new job or career. Fortunately, Elliott had some advice for people who want extra assurance that their next move is the right one for themselves, their families and their future.

He said you can increase your odds of success by coming up with a realistic list of your wants and needs for a new job. For example, you may need to keep your commute under 45 minutes to spend evenings with your children. Or, you want flexible working hours so that you can spend time outdoors during the day. Be realistic about your list, but use it as a guide when looking for opportunities in your new career or profession.

Ideally, you’re looking for some sort of overlap between the grid and the list that will allow you to engage in work that you enjoy while providing for your wants and needs.

This is just one approach that can help you uncover the next step in your career. LinkedIn members also offered their suggestions and ideas after my discussion with Elliott. You can see those and add your own by clicking here or the link below.

How can job seekers find the next step in their careers? Join the conversation.

▶ Other news to help you #GetHired:

• What does it mean to be a professional? One of the wonderful things about an intergenerational workforce is that each new age group tends to shake things up a bit. One ongoing trend has been a slow movement toward more informal habits in the workplace. Millennials ushered in the tech lifestyle of hoodies and office perks. Now, Gen Z is looking to shake things up again. Gianna Prudente, who is my colleague on the job search and careers beat at LinkedIn News, recently took a closer look at how Gen Z is defining professionalism. Click here to read all about it.
• What’s the best job search advice you ever received? LinkedIn members have been sharing the best job search advice they ever received in posts on their profiles. We rounded some of those posts up to share with you. As for me, the best advice I ever received during a job search was: Be vocal about your excitement for the job and employer! Here are some other pearls of wisdom from LinkedIn members.
• How can you stand out for remote jobs? It seems like almost everyone wants a remote job these days. Employers are stepping up to the plate by offering positions with flexible work options. Even with the increase in available positions, competition for these roles can be intense. There are things you can do to stand out as job seekers, though. Here are some expert tips to land that remote job.

▶ Lessons learned:

My work habits before the pandemic were prescribed by tradition. I had most of what I needed at my desk in the office. Then, I would shuttle my laptop and another item or two home each night. I’m in a different reality now without a designated desk at the office. I’ve had to rethink how I work and how I stay organized. I’m sure I’m not alone in facing this challenge. This LinkedIn Learning course tackles the topic of staying organized whether you’re in the office or working remotely. You can watch the course below or by clicking here.

▶ Up next:

A job search has so many components — a resume, a solid LinkedIn profile, a strong professional network, applications, etc. All of those bits and pieces can be so overwhelming that you ignore thinking about compensation until you’re about to accept an offer. The truth is that it’s important to think of compensation even before you’re in serious discussions with a potential employer. We’ll dive into questions about compensation in the next edition of #GetHired. But first, I want to hear about your experiences when negotiating salary and pay. Join the conversation by clicking here.