Career Consulting for Midlife Professionals

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A job search strategy article:

"I love my job: now what?"

by Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.

Q. I absolutely love my job and my career.

My company seems well-managed and my colleagues supportive. My performance reviews are outstanding. I love where I live.

But some career consultants say, “Keep looking, even in good times! Be ready to move.”

And I realize I may be facing a layoff or retirement someday. How do I plan?

A. When you’re tempted to say, “Am I dreaming? Pinch me, please!” savor the moment. You’re in what we call the summer and early autumn of your career, enjoying the fruits of your earlier hard work. You’ve made wise decisions.

But you are right to recognize that, these days, few good situations last forever. You could get a new boss. Your company could lose a key customer.

Or you might change. You could fall in love with someone who lives 1500 miles away. Or you could find yourself pursuing new interests, unexpectedly.

Here are some tips to get started.
1. Save money.

Build a fund of one, two or three years of living expenses – not locked up in retirement or real estate, but accessible for emergencies.

I am not a financial expert. Consult a licensed professional or do your own research on the specifics of how much and how to invest

2. Build a foundation of health.

You know the basics. Eat good, healthful meals. Exercise. Work on building energy levels.

3. Become more marketable through classes and credentials.

One couple told me, “We both have our real estate licenses and we can fly planes – a great confidence-booster.” Another client, who wouldn’t be caught dead in any plane smaller than a 747, built confidence through art classes and completed an MBA.

Tip: Every so often the Wall Street Journal runs an article about bogus educational programs. So before investing money in any program, read my Report: Back to School at Midlife.

4. Practice skills for your next career.

You’ve always wondered if you could teach? Get a gig to be a guest speaker at the local university and maybe teach a class at a community college.

Considered writing? Take a class and start submitting your work to paying markets. Free stuff doesn’t count: you need a whole new level quality when you go pro.

5. Do something entrepreneurial.

Test out the role of self-employment. A city employee started a part-time lawn care business in his small town. He’s ten years away from retirement and his job is secure. But he’s building a business, gaining a reputation and saving money.

“Lydia” anticipated a layoff two years in advance. She’d always fantasized about pet-sitting, so she did her research, prepared contracts, and got herself bonded. The day her job disappeared, she literally hit the ground running – behind two German shepherds and
a dalmatian.

“Arthur” began giving seminars at a local Learning Annex, charging nominal fees. As his popularity grew, he obtained his employer’s permission to hold profitable evening and weekend classes. Some contacts led to consulting projects.

6. Keep your goals private.

Do not ever, under any circumstances, tell your employer about plans to own a business, retire early, or sail around the world, until the moment you are ready to say, “Good-by!” That moment may be initiated by them or by you. And before whispering “early retirement” or “leave of absence,” look up your options in the company’s written policies.

7. Put together a big network.

Harvey Mackay’s popular networking book is aptly named: Dig your well before your thirsty.

He’s right! Meet the leaders in your industry and community. Make a list of people who might help if you wanted to change careers or start a business. Arrange to meet as many as possible and begin building relationships just because you like them -- before you need anything. Build relationships.

8. Identify professional resources who can help.

The worst time to hire a resource – consultant or coach – is when you feel panicked and desperate. Investigate low-cost options, such as your college placement office. What will they do if you need help? Talk to a few consultants as you navigate your current career. Who will you trust when the Big One hits – or when you feel ready to move in new directions?

9. Take time every day to appreciate what you have: your home, your location, family, neighbors and dogs.

Being able to recognize, “I have a good life!” will give you a baseline for your future plans.

What does your intuition tell you about your career future? Teach your intuition to send you a telegram - not a post card.