Job searching? Here’s the SECOND thing you should do!

Wait, the second thing? What’s the FIRST thing?!

If that’s the question you just asked in your head (or out loud), you should head here. That’s where you’ll read about the first thing.

But yes, today I want to talk about the step you should take after that first thing.

When’s the last time you thoroughly mapped out your values? Have you ever done that at all? And I don’t mean “thought” about your values. I mean sat down with a writing utensil and paper–or your laptop or your tablet–and wrote them down. 

A year? 

2 years? 

20?

Never?!

If you’re currently job searching (or even thinking about it) and you haven’t written/typed out your values, it’s time to hit the pause button. You already know what the first thing you need to do is, and this is the very next step.

What Are Values?

Think of values as your every day guides. Your values describe how you live your life, or at least how you want to live your life. They spell out what’s ultimately important to you. Where your values are absent, there will be extra dread, stress, dissatisfaction, and frustration. You need to be clear on what yours are. Specifically, you need to know what they are in the present moment, because values can and will change over time.

Why Do I Need To Do This?

Values dictate culture, relationships, work style, growth opportunities, all kinds of stuff. Knowing what yours are will help you identify the professional environments that will be good for you. This is big time important! Because let’s say you find a really cool job that’s perfect for you. It aligns perfectly with your skills and background, and you can do this job in your sleep! If that job is set in a company that doesn’t align well with your values, you will STILL burn out quicker than you think. Values misalignment is one of the biggest contributors to employee turnover and burnout.

But Do I Have To Write Them Out?

Yes. I had a coaching client recently describe to me how seeing them written out really allowed her to reflect on and define what they actually meant to her, and whether or not they really were her actual values. And that’s part of the goal: being as clear and honest with yourself as possible. Because your written values document becomes your checklist. You can literally hold that up next to a job description, a company website, notes from an informational interview, etc. and see how well things are lining up. If they’re not aligning super well, it’s a pretty good sign that that opportunity is probably not the one that’s best for you.

Ok, So What Do I Do?

Ask yourself these questions for starters:

• What are my top life values?
• What are my top career values?
• What would burn me out quickly in a job?

Be specific, honest, and clear! Prioritize! It’s for your own sake after all, so the more thorough and thoughtful you are, the better.

After that, it’s time to start collecting information on the values of potential employers. There are multiple sources and methods you can use to get this information, but here are a few to get you going:

• Job descriptions
• Company websites
• Interviews
• Informational interviews

Be intentional about who you talk to, what questions you ask, what you pay attention to. Any piece of info that speaks to the values of the company can be useful in determining whether or not this is the environment for you!

Wrapping Up

So yes, this is the second step. Any time you’re looking to make any sort of career shift, you should be revisiting your values and writing them down as clearly and specifically as you can. Your values will become your checklist you use to evaluate the company culture of your would-be employers. If you do this well, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road, and create a career trajectory that makes you happy and fulfilled.

I do this with my clients all the time, so let me know if you’re looking for some help!

HEADS UP!

We’re wrapping up the year already, so now is the perfect time to get active if you want to be in a shiny new job by sometime in Q1. AND YES, COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING. There are still openings that hiring managers are hoping to fill–they want to start off the year with a full team.

My signature program can help you get there (yes, I’m confident in it). It costs $1800.

But.

This month, I opened up 5 spots in the program for $1500 (payment plan available!).

There are only 2 of those spots left, and the deal ends on December 21, 2023!

It’s first come, first served, so claim your spot ASAP.

All you have to do is let me know you’re interested in a spot, and we’ll set up a free consultation to see if it’s a fit for you before we make any commitments.

Don’t miss out! Send me a message below and claim your spot before 12/21/23. Time’s ticking!

~B