Few endeavours in life are as challenging and when done right, as rewarding as finding a new job. Job searching is a journey filled with uncertainties, rejection, and doubts. When faced with such challenges, imagine the mental power you could cultivate by considering your job search as your chance to get the most influential factor in your life, your job, right, or as close to “right” as possible.
I recently met with a job seeker who appeared to be in their late 40s. After eight years with a national telecommunications company, the last three as regional director of sales and marketing, he was let go due to structural changes, a common occurrence nowadays.
What I found remarkable was his excitement about his job search, which has been ongoing for over five weeks. Rather than being anxious, angry, and frustrated that he was job searching, as most job seekers are, he was excited about all the possibilities his job search could lead to…
- working remotely
- making more money
- having a boss that actually “gets him”
- having four weeks of paid vacation
- being part of an RRSP matching contribution plan
- doing meaningful work and therefore being happier
… his list went on.
He understood how his job colours every aspect of his life. Therefore, he saw his job search as a tremendous opportunity to improve his life.
Consider all the aspects of your life that your job influences, a few being:
- Where you live.
- The car you drive.
- Where you vacation.
- The quality of your children’s education.
- Your identity. (There is a reason, when first meeting, people ask each other, “What do you do?”)
It has been my experience that a job search, especially when unplanned, often turns out to be a blessing in disguise, resulting in finding a better job and a better working environment. Understandably, most job seekers do not view job searching as a blessing, resulting in a negative attitude.
You should view your job search as more than just finding a job to secure financial stability. Think of it as an opportunity to redefine your purpose, explore new horizons, and reset your life. When treated as a chance for “life improvements,” which is how my conversation partner treats his job search, it becomes a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.
Embracing Change:
Being open to change and leaving behind the familiar is the key to making your job search as stress-free as possible. A job search offers a wealth of opportunities for transformation (READ: Create the life you want.). However, to take advantage of them, you must step out of your comfort zone and re-evaluate your skills and passions. Self-reflection and a realistic assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations are necessary for this process.
When you actively seek out new opportunities, the essence of a job search, prioritizing your needs and wants, you begin to understand yourself and your true desires better, increasing your self-awareness, which is a competitive advantage.
Exploration and Reinvention:
Your job search is a chance to explore different industries, job roles, and possibly living elsewhere. By broadening your perspective, you may discover hidden passions, untapped talents, and previously unimagined career paths. Job searching is an opportunity to align your values and passions with your work, creating a sense of fulfillment.
Personal Growth and Resilience:
Job seekers will inevitably experience rejection and setbacks during their job search. Resilience and personal growth are fostered by these challenges. Each rejection or setback teaches valuable lessons, cultivating adaptability and determination. In adversity, perseverance builds character and strengthens your resolve to overcome future obstacles with grit and determination.
Expanded Networks and Connections:
Networking—introducing yourself to people who can help your job search and building connections—is an essential part of job searching. As you engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, you broaden your horizons and stimulate your intellectual and personal development. Networking exposes you to new perspectives and opportunities, often leading to making new friends or finding a mentor.
The connections you make while job searching do not end when you land a job. When maintained, these connections can be invaluable resources that can shape your professional trajectory.
Discovering Purpose:
Looking for a job that provides more than a paycheck is a quest of sorts—a search for meaning and purpose. Your life’s purpose becomes more evident when you reflect on your skills, interests, and values. Your job search is your chance to align—to “get it right”—your work with your purpose, leading to greater job satisfaction and living a more fulfilling life.
When viewed positively, such as the job seeker I spoke to was viewing their job search, a job search you will see that your job search is your chance to reorient your life toward purpose and fulfillment rather than just pursuing jobs that are only a means to an end. By embracing change, exploring new avenues, and fostering personal growth, allowing your job search to be a transformative journey, you will open doors to uncharted possibilities.
When you see all the opportunities job searching offers you regarding reorienting your life, you realize job searching is good for you.
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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
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