Written by: Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I’ve been a fan of Gretchen Schmelzer’s writing for a few years now. I love the thought-provoking insights and relevance to lived experiences. Her most recent article is here. In this piece, Gretchen invites us to look for growth, instead of focusing on what hasn't been done, or what needs to be fixed/changed. It’s a perfect article for this time of year – I live in Ottawa, Canada and it’s spring, where flowers start to bloom, green grass surfaces and buds appear on trees. Growth is everywhere we look.
So how would this apply to jobseekers? Clients will share details about their lengthy, exhausting and frustrating job search. Sometimes the frustration and the overwhelm take over and the focus is on what isn't happening with the search ‒ such as not getting interviews, not hearing back from networking contacts, and not finding a job. Does this sound familiar?
The resulting physical, mental and emotional impact of finding work can take its toll. It can be much easier some days to forget about our progress, and instead dwell on where we feel stuck. What would happen if you shifted your attention to what's growing? What are the "wins" in your search ‒ and how does it shift your thinking and mindset when you consider these? Jobseekers – have you done any of the following:
crafted new resume achievement statements that articulate results and value
developed a new headline for your LinkedIn profile
documented (and practiced) your "leave story"
reached out to network contacts to ask for help connecting you with others
developed a new awareness of what's important to you in a career and organization
finalized a career direction/path
In a job search , it's important to pay attention to what's "growing" (like Gretchen checking her garden for signs of life). Look for these every day ‒ they are there!
What’s growing in your job search? How can you celebrate this?
Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator, specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1, in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
