Identify Career Interests to Guide Your Job Search

Why applying to more jobs isn't the answer (and what is). 👇 Many job seekers fall into the trap of "panic applying" - frantically submitting applications to countless positions or rushing into degree programs. While this might feel like progress, it's often an ineffective strategy that can lead you down the wrong path. I learned this lesson early in my career. Initially, I was set on becoming a journalist. And if I had blindly pursued that path, I would have ended up in a role that clashed with my strengths and values - long hours, low pay, and constant deadlines. All things I despise. The key to avoiding this pitfall is to slow down and invest time in self-discovery and strategic relationship-building. Here's a more effective approach: 🍊 Self-Reflection: Deeply understand what you truly want in your next opportunity. What are your strengths, values, and deal-breakers? 🍊 Market Research: Investigate the demand for roles that interest you and what it takes to succeed in them. 🍊 Informational Interviews: Speak with professionals in your target roles or industries. Their insights are invaluable for making informed decisions. 🍊 Relationship Building: Focus on creating connections rather than just submitting applications. While it might seem time-consuming, it's often the shortcut to the top of the resume pile. 🍊 Targeted Opportunities: Pursue only roles that genuinely align with your goals and skills. This approach might feel slower at first, but it is actually much faster than applying online using a "it's a numbers game" strategy. If you want a roadmap for this strategic approach, check out my free Job Shopping Masterclass. The link is in the comments below! Because direction is more important than speed in your job search. It's about doing the RIGHT things, not just more things. Have you ever "panic-applied" for a job before? #HR #jobseekers #LinkedIn

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀? 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? What if the key to finding your passion is simpler than you think?" 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: Most professionals struggle to identify their passion. They expect a magical moment of clarity, but instead, they feel stuck, lost, or unmotivated. They fear failure and avoid experimenting because trying new things seems too risky or overwhelming. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁: They’re afraid of failing and being judged. They’re trapped in a comfort zone and procrastinate taking action. They believe passion should be "found" instead of created through experience. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: Experiment Without Fear Rarely will you know your passion from the start. Start trying new things, even if they seem unrelated to your current life or career. Experimenting will help you discover what excites you. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: One of my clients thought he hated public speaking but joined a debate club as an experiment. Turns out, he loved inspiring people and is now a successful trainer. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: Embrace Failure as a Teacher Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s the path to it. Every failure teaches you what doesn’t work and brings you closer to what does. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: Flip the Script If you’re unsure where to start, identify what you don’t like about your current situation. Create a list of all the things that drain your energy, and look for alternatives. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: Don’t like your desk job? Try something more dynamic like fieldwork or project-based roles. This process of elimination can often lead you closer to what you love. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: Take Small, Lazy-Proof Steps If laziness is holding you back, start small. Commit to one hour a week exploring something new or pursuing a hobby. Passion doesn’t require a huge leap—it begins with baby steps. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝘁 (𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲): I didn’t know coaching was my passion initially. I started by trying different roles—teaching, mentoring, and leadership. I failed many times but discovered that helping people transform their lives ignites my energy. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: I’ve coached countless professionals who were stuck in jobs they hated. By experimenting, embracing failure, and flipping the script, they found fulfilling paths in their careers. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂? If you're tired of feeling stuck and want to uncover your passion, let’s work together. 𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼: • Break free from fear and laziness. • Create an action plan for experimenting. • Discover what truly lights you up. 💡 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: Passion isn’t something you find—it’s something you create. 𝗣.𝗦. DM me for a free discovery call #peakimpactmentorship  #leadership  #growth

If I were to restart my job search journey in 2025… The technology job market is competitive, constantly evolving, and full of opportunities for those who are prepared. If I needed to secure a role within six months, I’d adopt a strategic and methodical approach. Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing actionable steps and insights from my experience to help you navigate your own career journey in tech. Step 1: Self-Assessment & Goal Setting Every successful job search starts with self-reflection and a clear plan. Before jumping into applications, I’d focus on these foundational steps: 1️⃣ Identify Your Skills and Interests • Take time to evaluate what you’re good at and what you genuinely enjoy. Whether it’s software development, data analysis, product management, cybersecurity, or UX design, understanding where your passions and skills intersect is crucial. • If you’re unsure, consider using tools like career assessments or skills-matching platforms to help identify your strengths and align them with industry roles. 2️⃣ Research the Market • Dive deep into job descriptions for roles you’re interested in. What skills, tools, and technologies are in demand? What qualifications are must-haves versus nice-to-haves? • Explore industry trends to see where growth is happening. For instance, fields like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data science are booming. 3️⃣ Set SMART Goals • Once you’ve identified your focus area, set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. For example: • “I will apply to 10 targeted roles weekly.” • “I will complete a certification in [technology/tool] within two months to strengthen my candidacy.” • These goals act as a roadmap to keep you on track and motivated. Self-awareness is the foundation of a successful job search. Knowing what you bring to the table and what you want out of your next role will not only help you focus your efforts but also communicate your value effectively to potential employers. This is just the beginning of the process! In the next post, I’ll discuss how to upskill, build relevant experience, and position yourself for success in today’s tech-driven job market. What’s the first thing you do when starting a job search? Share your thoughts below! #JobSearch2025 #TechCareers #CareerGrowth #JobHuntingTips #SelfAssessment #GoalSetting #TechnologyJobs #LinkedInCareer #CareerSuccess

A client came to me wanting to make a career change but wasn’t sure where to start. It’s a common spot to be in, especially if you’ve spent years working in one area. You might think, “I should just stick to what I know, right?” Not necessarily… In an earlier post, I talked about the importance of reflecting on “Why” you want to make a change. That’s the starting point. Assuming you’ve done that, what’s next? If your goal is to find purpose and direction in your career, then you should reflect on questions prompted by the Japanese concept of “Ikigai”. 🔹 What do you love to do? 🔹 What are you good at? 🔹What does the world need? 🔹What can you be paid for? Your answers might change over time as you grow and as the world changes too. I’d add a couple more questions to think about: 🔹What are your circumstances? (e.g., financial needs, family needs)  🔹What are your values? (i.e., your non-negotiables) It’s useful to check in with yourself on these questions now and then because your answers will evolve over time. This approach has guided me in making four career pivots. And I loved all of them. Each one helped me discover new passions, develop new skills, and uncover new opportunities. Exploring these questions is like using a compass in your career journey. What questions have helped guide you to leading a fulfilling career and life?