The Career Puzzle
Over the holidays I took on a personal challenge. I started and completed a 1,000-piece puzzle, almost by myself. The theme of this puzzle was “The 1980’s” and it is glorious. So many iconic people, moments and references it was a labor of love. Just last week I was handed a new puzzle, metaphorically speaking, an unexpected career change. I dedicate this Wednesday Words to all those who were handed the same puzzle last week.
My completed 1980’s masterpiece sits on a table just to the right of my desk. I’ve left it there for two reasons. First, the genre is my happy place for all things music and entertainment. But second, it provides a visible sense of completion. Too often our work these days is in the cloud, not tangible to see touch or hold. The presence of the puzzle last week provided me a reminder of the lessons learned that I need to apply to my new career search. Here’s four things I learned in that process that I’m applying to my new job search.
Be Patient
If you’ve opened a 1,000-piece puzzle it’s quite an experience. It starts with, “this shouldn’t be too bad” to “are you kidding me, more pieces!?!?” They just seem to keep coming out of the box with no end in sight. What was initially thought to be something I could finish in an evening suddenly seems like a challenge that will take much longer. But the key is to start looking for the corners. Once you find those key pieces you can start laying out the frame.
Last week I was given the corner piece to my new puzzle, the next step in my career. Much like opening the box, lots of pieces were laid out in front of me. I have no idea of where my next role may be, but that’s the point of a puzzle, it develops over time. While I would love to finish this puzzle overnight, I must be patient.
Get Help from Others
Selfishly I hovered over my 80’s masterpiece for several days. I wanted to see if I could finish it on my own without help. Not smart. There are just too many pieces to manage. There were times when my kids would stop by and look at a piece and “voila” put it right where it belonged. As much as I wanted to go it alone, I needed their help.
The same happens in a career search. Pride is often the first victim of the change. I know, I dealt with it several years ago after a downturn in the energy sector. This time I used the lessons learned and reached out to my network. If you’ve seen “It’s a Wonderful Life” you’ll understand that by the end of last week I felt like George Bailey at the end of the movie. Friends and Colleagues from all stages of my life and career stepped up to offer help and support. Leverage your network, they want to help.
Don’t Focus Too Hard on One Thing
There were times putting the puzzle together that I just stared at one image trying to find all the pieces for it. They were in front of me somewhere, but I just couldn’t see them. Whether it was looking for a particular color or some piece of an image, the harder I stared the less I saw.
The same goes for the job search. There’s going to be a desire to get something just right. Whether it’s finding the “right” job to apply for or writing and rewriting your resume. Just like quicksand, the harder you struggle with something the more trapped you’ll feel. This is where the last step is the most important, not just for puzzles but for your sanity in a job search.
Step Away
I can’t tell you how many times I was just plain stuck on the 80’s puzzle wondering if I had lost a piece or if I would even be able to finish it. I was staring at a section or two and just not finding the pieces I needed. The one thing I found that worked best to get over my block was just to walk away. It’s amazing what happens when you take a break and step away. Just remember Rule #1, Be Patient. Just walking out and coming back in doesn’t count.
The same applies to the job search. You could literally drive yourself crazy sitting in front of your computer all day searching job sites or refreshing LinkedIn. “A watched pot never boils” isn’t just a great saying, it’s the truth. A job search can be a marathon when we’re expecting it to be a sprint. Take time for yourself a little each day. It’s perfectly acceptable to spend a few hours each day in your search, but then take time to Step Away. You never know what you might see when you come back.
Unfortunately, the news has been filled these last few weeks with layoff after layoff. I hope this blog helps in some small way to get your through this time. In my post announcing the news on LinkedIn I said, “When one door closes, another opens” and I truly feel that way. So many talented people are now available in a job market that is screaming for Talent. How crazy is that? My hope for everyone looking is that your next job is that “Dream Job” you never knew could happen. Keep the faith, have confidence in yourself and pay it forward WHEN you land that next job. In the meantime, I think I’ll wait till my career puzzle is complete before putting away “The 1980’s” – it’s totally AWESOME!