Are you looking for motivation to change jobs?

Have you been daydreaming about a different job, but the thought of searching, applying and interviewing brings up trauma from the last time you looked for work?

We often stay at companies we don’t like because it’s comfortable, pays enough and is convenient. Therefore, change seems like too much of a risk and not enough of a reward.

I was stuck in this mindset for years. I was hesitant to expose myself to the possibility of rejection. The whole search and apply process seemed difficult and too large of an obstacle, to an elusive better job and better life.  

Companies also do a good job at convincing us that we are receiving benefits only they’ll provide. Hint, when I finally changed jobs I got all the same benefits that were important to me, AND less stress.

When looking for work we make it so hard on ourselves by emotionally investing in every single role we apply for. We also forget that we are not the same person as we were last time we looked for work.

The below points are important to remember for anyone looking for work. Whether you’ve been thinking about it for a while, or you’re ready for a change.

We can not become what we want by remaining what we are.

~ Max Depree

Don’t make it so hard

We think to write a relevant resume, we have to get emotionally invested in the idea of working somewhere.

Write a well-rounded resume regardless of the role. When you see a job that catches your attention, tweak the front page and make sure you’ve got the minimum requirements mentioned within your resume. It really doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

It’s not possible to interpret the reality of the role. Therefore, apply for roles with the mindset of “why not”, “we’ll see what happens”. Until you complete an interview there is no need to expend any more energy on it.

As a result, you can continue to get on with your life, while opening up opportunities for change.

Understand how you have grown

If it’s been a while since you last looked at your resume, updating it with your recent achievements and experience can be very eye-opening.

At work we go through the motions, rarely taking a moment to recognise improvements we’ve made in the company or ourselves. As soon as a goal is completed, another challenge has already started.

When updating your resume ask yourself these questions:

• What challenge or project did I help finish?

• What process, system or culture improvement, have I contributed to?

Let the answers sink in, and I mean really sink in. You’ve probably contributed to and improved a lot more than you’ve allowed yourself to believe. Once you start to see a few examples of how you’ve provided value within the company, you’ll start to recognise many more.

Success doesn’t come to you…you go to it.

~ Marva Collins

If your company isn’t giving you the promotion or benefits you want and deserve, apply for that progression at another company. Consider the likelihood that your next role will be better, with all your favourite benefits included.

Here at Course Your Career, I write about resumes, interviews and confidence. I want to help you progress your career so that it supports your comfortable and joyful life.

I publish new articles all the time and I am working on some exciting projects to help you get the ball rolling. The more people that subscribe to the email list below, the more I know this information will help and the sooner I’ll get the stuff out.

Let me know in the comments below if any of this is helpful, not helpful, needs further clarifications or if you have any questions, I’d love to know and will appreciate the feedback.