Reinvent yourself

Careers adviser MICHELLE GIBBINGS’ expert tips for landing a new career

It’s no secret that how we work is changing – think more flexibility and remote connectivity. Yet most of us are still unprepared for what it all means for us because we’re still encouraged to think of our careers as entering a workforce and exploring a few roles in search of something that keeps us happy until retirement.

Michelle advises us to think of the future as completely fluid and adaptive.

You need to get comfortable being able to shift, shape and reinvent your career at multiple stages throughout your life.

She offers some advice to get you started...

1. EXAMINE YOUR JOB

Assessing your career periodically helps you determine whether you are in a rut or holding onto an unrealistic, outdated view of your career. It also challenges you to think about what may need to shift and what you may need to do more or less of for a successful, sustainable and rewarding career.

2. RETHINK YOUR ‘WHY’

Look at what may be holding you back from making certain career choices. Identify your why – your purpose – in the context of the life you want to have and your life circumstances.

3. EXPLORE RISK

Understand your tolerance for change and risk as it relates to your career. Identify your strengths and know how the world of work is changing to be able to identify options you can progress.

4. TAILOR YOUR CHOICES

Filter your many options to find your sweet spot – the options that fit with your life circumstances, goals and willingness to take a risk.

5. CONSTRUCT A PLAN

Build your plan to execute your career leap. This includes considering all the key elements that need to be in place to make it happen, and how you are going to target and measure your progress.

6. SHAPE YOUR IDENTITY

Your career identity will shift as your career progresses. It’s important to understand this and consciously cultivate an identity that works for you. It starts with understanding how you see yourself and how others see you. Only then can you work out what may need to change.

7. POLISH YOUR PRESENCE

In today’s marketplace, first impressions count, not just faceto-face but also online. In fact,

it’s now more than likely your first encounter will be online. You need to build your online presence as well as manage your network in a way that suits your career leap destination.

8. THINK WISELY

None of this happens by accident, and managing your career requires you to be deliberate about what you do and when you make a career leap. You’ll need to manage your energy, manage your exit from your current job and negotiate wisely.

9. LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

Landing a new job takes time, but once you are there, the effort doesn’t stop. It takes plenty of planning to make sure you launch your leap and land it well. You’ll need to take time to embed the leap, and then expand it so you are well positioned for what comes next in your career.

10. KEEP LOOKING

You won’t just leap once in your career – you’ll do it multiple times. Celebrating your achievements is important, but also keep one eye looking ahead to the future.

Edited extract from Career Leap by Michelle Gibbings (Wiley, $29.95)