How are you going to position yourself in this new environment? The skill set of the new salesperson is a far cry from the old. Planning for your new role is important. There are many issues to consider as you contemplate your future either within your organization or in a new one.
- While you rediscover yourself, ask yourself these questions:
- "What am I all about?" That is, what do you respect in yourself and in others? These are the things like honesty, integrity, decency, and congeniality - values that, if ignored, will sap your enthusiasm for your company and perhaps for your career. Write them down. Do you meet your own standards day-to-day? Will a prospective employer measure up to these expectations?
- "What am I capable of?" Do you have any skills that set you apart from others in the market? Keep track of your skills as you acquire them and put them into practice. Now, what sort of company would be looking for someone with just those skills? Do you want to be pushed to your limits? What gets you excited? What is going to make you want to work long hours?
- "What kind of price am I willing to pay for a careerchange?" Are you flexible? Are you willing to take risks? This is serious stuff. Consider the possibilities: the new job might not work out or you might be unemployed for a while. So now is the time to ask yourself whether whatever it is you're looking for in a new career might not be available where you are right now. Let's face it. Changing jobs can be frustrating. But if you are resilient and adaptable, you should be just fine.
- To determine whether or not you could get what you need where you are right now, you need to decide exactly what you want.
- First, figure out what you like about your current situation. Make a list. Do you like
- your co-workers?
- the challenge?
- the autonomy?
If you are considering a career move, this list may be short. Be fair.
- Now, make a list of the things you expect from your dream job.
- What would you be doing?
- Where would you be doing it? What is the environment like?
- Who would you be working with?
- How big or small is the company?
- The next step is to put the two lists side by side. Now you can quantify the urgency of your move. What appears on the "ideal" list that is missing from the "real" list? How important is the missing piece?
- Make a list of the most important elements missing from the "real" list. Keep this master list handy. This list will guide your upcoming decisions.
- It's time to start looking around. Look first at your own organization. Are there positions within the company that would meet your expectations? Perhaps you don't have to leave after all. If you do, begin researching other organizations. What are you looking for? A position that meets the "master-list" criteria from step 2.
- Once you've done this, and it could take a while, decide what your ideal position is and what your backup choice would be. Now evaluate each, keeping in mind that if neither makes the grade, you may be better off where you are. Here's what to consider:
- Potential hurdles. Would you need specific training, for example? Are you sufficiently familiar with your proposed field?
- Steps to get over these hurdles. Are there courses you could take? seminars you could attend? Do you know people in this new field? Make a tentative plan.
- The pros and cons of the new position. Weigh them carefully.
- The worst-case scenario. Change can be difficult. Are you ready?
- The best-case scenario. This should give you the courage to make your move.
- Ultimately, your research and networking should result in a job offer. But how do you know whether to accept it? Make a list of the things you're looking for:
- salary
- benefits
- hours
- location
- everything you determined in step 2!
- Don't overlook good advice. Talk it over. Bounce your ideas around with
- someone you can trust
- someone in neither your new nor your old organization
- someone who knows what he or she is talking about, that is, someone who has made a career change
- a career counselor who can test your suitability for this or that field and guide you more objectively than you can yourself
