Working Transitions

“The efforts required to forge identity are characterized by crises, missteps, changes in direction, and the development of the will and courage to say yes to some paths and no to many. The road to identity never travels a straight line. It is not about a “sameness” that endures over time in an otherwise constantly changing world, but rather an ever growing sense of confidence in what we need to do next, in the midst of that constant change. In the world of work, the key aspects of identity include skill and role, referring to what value we add to our place of work and what we actually do on a day to day basis.” – Timothy Butler, from The Four Elements: Finding Right Livelihood in the 21st Century

Job transitions – planned or not — are hard to navigate (period). 

Whether we decide to leave our job, make a career move, or find ourselves without a job, the space between secure jobs is a mix of things–unprocessed fresh feelings, needs, anxieties, and wondering about next steps. That “next steps” part can feel like an overwhelming mountain. Where to start? 

In this episode, I sat down with Keith McAllister, a recruiter at Modern Executive Solutions, and a good friend of Reboot. In the arc of his own career, he’s arrived at his seat in recruiting out of a career in media and out of a love of people. After nearly a decade helping folks find their next career move, he’s learned a thing or two about what it takes to be found, be sought, and how to position yourself. 

How do you articulate who you are, what you do, and what you’ve done? What do you need to know about working with recruiters? How are your interview skills? As if the mental stress of shifting jobs, or needing to find a job wasn’t enough, Keith helps us think about what’s next in some straightforward ways that will help you in your job search and put yourself back out on the market. 

• Who are you?  Fill in the blanks: “I am an X who’s done Y and wants to do Z.” How do you speak to this in short and long form, from elevator pitch to resume to LinkedIn profile? 
• What industry do you want to work in? What stage of company growth do you want to be in? What sort of culture are you looking for? What role would you like? What are your financial needs?
• What do you know about yourself and how you work? What assessments have you completed? What are your skills, talents, and your style? What do you bring to the table in value and attributes and experience? What are your work stories that illustrate this? 
• What is the scope of the work you’ve done? What impact did you have? 
• How do you invest in your network? Who do you know that is worth reaching out to now? Who would you like to be connected with? 
• How do you present in person and over video? Who can help you see yourself clearly? Who can you practice with?

If you find yourself at a career crossroads or facing that overwhelming mountain of how to find your next role, we hope there are some good nuggets in this conversation for you.