3 steps to prepare for a job or career change

Woman looking at papers with others around her

The last thing we want to do when we’re in a job we need to leave is to sit down in front of our computers and try to explain ourselves and our professional values. 

Being able to clearly and succinctly spell out your transferable skills – and do it authentically - feels incredibly daunting. And when we’re in the midst of these big life changes, we tend to be at our most vulnerable. Yet, preparing our resume and career narrative are a necessary means to our end goal of finding meaningful work that supports the life we want to live. 

Before we even start that process, there are three things to do  to set yourself up for success by feeling free, comfortable and connected along the way. 

Step 1: Create an ergonomic oasis

Picture this: you're sitting on your couch, laptop on your lap, or perched at your dining table, trying to put together your resume. Sound familiar? You are working on a task where you need to be at your best creatively, mentally, emotionally, and physically.  Let’s be honest, that doesn’t happen on the couch. 

To bring out the best in yourself and your skill set, invest in an ergonomic setup. Get yourself a proper desk, an office chair, an external monitor and set it up according to ergonomic guidelines. Intentionally setting up a space where you feel comfortable and supported will get you in the frame of mind for deeper creativity and productivity. Treat yourself as the valuable human being that you are -- as you are literally writing about how valuable you are as a professional.   

Step 2: Be friends with the timer

Few people enjoy working on resumes, cover letters or job applications. These activities will fill all the time you allow them to, as we endlessly polish or try to stuff every last accomplishment onto one page. Or, we turn to distraction and the endless loop of scrolling through social media and procrastinating the tasks at hand. 

Honor your time and energy by embracing the freedom a timer can bring. Whether it's updating your resume or crafting a compelling cover letter, decide on the discrete task you will work on, set the timer to a sound that isn’t going to have you break out in rage – perhaps a song that always puts you in a happy place. Set the timer for 25-30 minutes and dive in. 

When the timer goes off, take a break or decide on your next task and move on. This structured approach will keep you moving forward (and off Instagram).  

Step 3: Embrace your inner scientist

We often approach job searches or career transitions as a solo endeavor, as if we’re getting ourselves all dolled up and ready to debut on LinkedIn. That route often leads us to geting stuck in our inner dialogues as we talk ourselves out of what we’re actually most proud of, or wordsmith ourselves into carbon copy “experienced professionals.” Try another approach and reach outward to friends, former colleagues, and others – even your pickleball opponents – to learning about their jobs and work experiences. Imagine yourself as a scientist conducting an experiment, with curiosity as your superpower. 

The goal is to gain insights into different industries and job functions. It’s also to share what you enjoy doing in your current job and learn if those skills are transferable to other fields. Note: I'm not suggesting you monopolize people's time or intrusively start talking about yourself. The goal here is to just be real. Be open and transparent with people about where you are right now, what you’re seeking to learn, and ask them to share their experience at their job or in their field. Remember, you're not seeking a job offer but seeking knowledge and inspiration.

Preparing for a job search or career transition can feel like a mountain we need to climb by ourselves, but it does not have to feel that way. You also don't have to take on the mantle of “translating my skillset” alone. 

Set yourself up for success on what is ultimately a meaningful project of realizing your career power. And anytime you are feeling at your most stuck, remember: go outward, not on the internet.

Feeling stuck with your resume or career? Join Reframe for community and accountability through Your Next Career Move. Schedule a time to see if it’s the right fit for you.