Career Shift Blog
by Rachel B. Garrett
The Mindset to Cultivate for The Job Search
At the beginning of my work with each private coaching client, we discuss how they want their entire life to look – so we can fit the right kind of career into that life.
We talk values – in essence they create a personal compass to finding a path that’s on their terms.
AND…I share the mindset shifting tools they will need to keep their mental health intact during this exercise in resilience building we call...the job search process.
Job searchers who gain momentum quickly appear to have these things in common:
They are having many proactive networking conversations.
They are experimenting with multiple paths.
They are applying to and interviewing for multiple opportunities at one time.
When they don’t get the role, they focus on the fact that it was not a fit and they move on.
They do their best to get invested enough to interview well without falling in love.
They cultivate a detached optimism that avoids the lowest of lows and highest of highs.
They maintain a steady, calm presence.
They believe it’s possible.
If that’s you, great – you’re on your way.
If that’s not you, I see you and I can assure you, you’re not alone.
You care. You’re working your ass off. This is a top priority for you. I get it.
I'm here to tell you: your results mean nothing about your WORTH. As an employee. As a human.
I work with clients to remind themselves of their worth before and after job search activities in small and impactful ways. For example:
Before an interview…
They use visualization and proactive mantras that remind them of who they are, regardless of whether or not they get the job.
After an interview…
They take time for a compassionate debrief where they notice their wins, some areas to tighten up for the next interview – and remember – they will be ok no matter what.
As with all personal and professional development, cultivating this detached optimism mindset is a practice, and you will not get there 100% of the time. That said, I know when clients see growth in this area – many of the tactical components of the search seem to naturally come together.
My Best Career Advice: Be You, Not a Pretzel
After 7+ years in business, I’ve figured out a few things that make me my best boss ever.
I don’t schedule zoom meetings before 10 am.
I make time for coffee dates, walks and lunches with friends during the work day.
I say no to opportunities with organizations and individuals who ask me to turn myself into a pretzel to be their facilitator or coach.
The first two are pretty straightforward, energizing for me and also may not be everyone’s jam.
It’s number three that I find to be the most universal. I’ve solidly stepped into this practice within the past year and I’ve never felt more free. So, let me explain.
I offer specific coaching programs and signature talks on my website and in my potential client calls. I’ve developed these offerings after a rigorous process of identifying where I add the most value, how my clients and I can co-create magic and what gets my clients their best results.
Every so often, a potential client will ask me to radically change my offer, give them a different rate or only focus on the very tactical parts of the process.
I completely understand why they would ask. I’m all about advocating for what you need.
In the past I would have tied myself in knots and gone for it, even though the pit in my stomach was saying, “Oh hell no.”
A fellow entrepreneur friend and I now affectionately call these “Pretzel Requests.”
Somehow the imagery has helped me confirm my gut feeling and confidently go with the no.
It sounds like, “I’ve found that this is the structure where I can deliver the most value to my clients and it gets them the best results. If you’re looking for something else, we may not be a fit.”
I know I’ve made the right move every time the full body relief washes over me. It renews my confidence and belief that I can be who I am and run a successful business. In fact, the more I say no to Pretzel Requests, the more right-fit requests seem to show up soon after.
So the next time your boss, client or partner asks you to be a contortionist to do your work, think about how you can say no to Pretzel Requests in your own worthy way.
How to Answer the Dreaded, "Tell Me About Yourself."
How many times have you been at a party, a conference or an interview and you hear the words…
"Tell me about yourself."
Hot face. Sweaty palms. Chest constriction. All the panic.
If this is you and your reaction – I see you.
You may be feeling this way because you’re bored with your work, you’re ready for a change or you’ve never sat down to think about – what do I even do well?
Many of us have a hard time talking about ourselves, our gifts and the kind of work we want to do in the world. This is completely normal. Especially when we’ve been taught to tamp down any bragging or boasting since childhood.
You don’t want to be THAT person, right?
Well, if you want to connect with new people who are going to help you figure out what’s next for you in your career – THAT’S exactly the person you want to be.
And you can absolutely do it in your own authentic way. By talking about the things you’re proud of and what you want to learn. What energizes you and who in the world you want to help.
If you’re still having trouble envisioning what you might say, or if your palms are still sweaty just reading this, let me offer up simple solution that will leave you with a unique and memorable pitch in just an afternoon. It’s my...
Nail Your Elevator Pitch Mini Course
The mini course is best for people who:
Are thinking about a shift, but fear networking and sounding “flakey” because they don’t have it all figured out yet.
Are returning to the workforce after a gap.
Are in active job searches and career shifts, but are not yet landing the right next roles or even the right conversations to get those roles.
️ The course includes:
Five short videos that walk you through:
...A welcome and setting you up for success
...Identifying your strengths
...The strategy and approach to writing your pitch
...The formula for 3 different types of pitches based on YOUR situation
...Getting into action with your pitch (How to start using it in networking)
️ A workbook where you can write the first drafts of your pitch
And now you can pair it with single 60-minute virtual session with me to discuss your pitch and anything else related to your search! You can learn more about the Mini Course at rachelbgarrett.com/pitch.
As a coach who helps people design careers on their own terms, I’m a huge proponent of talking to your network BEFORE you have all of the answers for what’s next. In fact, it’s those conversations that help you form the ideas and possibilities for what you want.
So, with this Mini Course, you can get out there and talk to your advocates – early in your process with some hypotheses and clear ways they can be on Team YOU from the very beginning.
I look forward to helping you stand in your power. Own your strengths. And give yourself permission to want what you want.
When you "survive" the layoff
The news of layoffs across the tech and media sectors is disheartening. If your LinkedIn feed looks anything like mine, announcements of former colleagues and clients who have been impacted by yet another RIF seems like a daily occurrence.
Outside of my 1:1 client work, I’m hoping to do my part to help these folks by sharing A LOT of open roles on LinkedIn and connecting them with relevant contacts within my network.
And yet there’s another group of people struggling, seemingly invisible behind the scenes.
The ones who “survived” the layoff.
The employees being asked to perform two and even three roles at once.
Those who have dramatically increased their hours without an increase in pay.
The loyal team members who are burnt out and feel they should stick it out and be grateful they have jobs.
If this is you or someone you love, I have two recommendations for navigating this challenging situation.
#1: Acknowledge your grief.
You’re experiencing the loss of partnership and collaboration with your former colleagues who are no longer part of the team. Yes, you can stay in touch and if they’re important to you–you absolutely should make an effort to do so–but you know and you are correct. It will not be the same.
You also may be feeling loss around what you thought this team, this year, this work would look and feel like. It’s not what you envisioned or hoped it would be and in order to create something new–it’s important to be truthful about what no longer is.
#2. Honor and own your boundaries.
You may be asked to push beyond what’s possible for your energy, your mental health, your worth. Get quiet with yourself and the people who love you. What do you need in order to make this work for your organization and for you? Practice asking for what you need. And ask again when the request doesn’t stick. If your boundaries are not respected, you have some data to help you know whether or not this situation can be navigated on your terms.
You may be asked to step back into work you’ve moved on from, work that’s more junior and is not energizing for you. Get creative in how you can set boundaries here. Work that is not energizing for you may be a professional development opportunity for others. Also, you can use your strategic expertise to build better systems and processes so you can minimize time spent on these tasks. Practice saying no to taking on these tasks while offering another solution for how it can be handled.
Lastly, I would go forth with compassion. Assume best intentions from all parties. And most importantly, do all of the things you do to refuel when you’re in a challenging situation.
Admit to yourself, yes you have a job, but you’re still in a rough patch – and you need to take care of the only person that can get you through it. That’s you, friend.