Widen the circle: Career shift tips from a creative coach

You are what you eat. You are what you read. You are who you talk to. When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? Ditched the safe ‘you may like’ algorithm options and went rogue to expand your thinking. 

I coach a lot of creative professionals who come to me at real crossroads in their careers - some have a menu of choices they are trying to decide from, or for some, it’s, ‘help me to do anything other than what I am doing right now!’

Regardless of which curated coaching path we end up travelling along, the process starts with a deep dive into the unconscious mind and ends up with a lateral shift and a conversation with someone you never imagined. (I say ends, but that’s really the start).

My point is this, we are all capable of polishing a CV, calling a recruiter or going to a network event but real finds are made when you step outside your networks and allow yourself to get curious.

Rather than think, who do I know, think who don’t I know? Time and time again people tell me I want to do X but I don’t know anyone, or they give up when a quick-fire email to friends, or friends of friends yields nothing. SLOW DOWN. Do your detective work. Challenge yourself to think outside your normal circle and widen your contact strategy. Get comfortable with using LinkedIn, it's still, in my opinion, the best platform for seeking out professionals who share your interests and voice interesting opinions. See what causes they support, and what events they pop up at. There will be someone doing something very similar to what you’d like to try somewhere in the world. 9/10 times those people are very generous with their time IF they sense a real connection and passion. And this is the point, your standard cover note and a CV will probably not be enough. Neither is the sycophantic, I’ve been a great fan approach.

Take time to do your research. What nugget of info can you share with them that shows a deeper level of interest or knowledge? Equally, as much as you want to speak to the CEO, are they the right person? A great piece of advice someone once gave to me was, to aim your intro to the middle ranks of a company. Someone within reach of the decision-makers, but not so overwhelmed with the really big stuff that they can’t spare you the time. The bonus of this approach is that they, as your champion, can feel they are making a difference, and through your energy and enthusiasm, look good too. 

It's easy to say don’t give up, but please don’t. Trust the process. Be strict about getting emails off, but equally, build a realistic framework for a reply. Nothing personal but the likelihood is, that you are at the bottom of the recipients' priorities. I like to work to a 2-week rule - no reply after 2 weeks., knock again. Keep adapting the tempo and the timing. Keep challenging yourself to think laterally about how to make contact and widen the circle of possible contact points. Creativity is your tool. Persistence is the means. 

Frame your search as one of curiosity and discovery, because whilst it might not beat precisely to your ‘get me outta here’ clock, it will protect you from search fatigue - the death toll for all career shifts. Keep reflecting on the evidence, If all your research is leading to the insight that you need to invest in new skills, don’t just plough on, waiting to hear what you think you want to hear. Constantly re-evaluate your timeframe and reshape what you do. Be realistic. I don’t mean that in the, ‘who do you think you are’ sense, but the truth is, you only have so much time in a day.

Build time for research, volunteering, spec briefs etc,  but keep a beady on what it is costing you - financially and time-wise. Time and money are grim reapers in the career move cast. Can you combine new learning with what you are doing right now? Constantly check your motivation levels and as Bill ‘Design Your Life’ Burnett says, ‘Get good at feeling lucky’. There’s evidence that people with this attitude are more likely to be tuned into the kind of interesting opportunities on the periphery of our vision. AKA, be less blinkered and try stuff. 

And last but not least, get used to the idea that gut instinct is a real and valuable compass. Because it just is.