What Do You Do When Your Career Doesn’t Go As Planned?

I have been on the job hunt for a few months now. It was not easy when I first started interviewing because am not a fan of the process. Luckily, I have hosted some amazing women on my podcast who have spoken on topics ranging from creating a plan, beginning your job search, making it through your interview to starting a new position. When I started the podcast, I had no interest in switching careers. My role was new and exciting, but it was fleeting. While recording these episodes it never dawned on me that my time was coming. These women were unknowingly helping me prepare for an unexpected shift in my career. I painstakingly took my time and re-evaluating my process. I took interviews here and there and applied for everything that sounded interesting. I still had a job so there was no rush or plan. Things changed at the beginning of summer. My job performance came into question. This caught me off guard as I had only been in the role for 6 months and I had not completed my training. As I was learning I made a few mistakes, but they were not major and they could be corrected. Before accepting the role, I was told that it would take me one year to get a handle on the tasks and it is about two years before I would naturally have a better understanding of the information. Mistakes were a part of the learning process, and they were expected. I am not the sort of person to do anything halfway, so I took this very personally. Everyone told me I was going to get fired so I put the pedal to the metal and applied for everything. When I say everything, I MEAN EVERYTHING. I interview for a Virtual Assistant position, now there is nothing wrong with being a virtual assistant however, it was so far from my career goals it made no sense at all to move in that direction. This became the catalyst that led me to practice what I have been preaching. I went back and listened to every single podcast that I have released on career development. I then created a strategic plan that aligned with my career goals. I decided not to cancel any of my previously scheduled interviews, I used them as practice. Instead of applying everywhere I only applied for specific types of positions. If the job description did not have keys words in the text I would move on. I find it interesting when a person makes an important decision about a specific part of their life, they then recognize that they have the ability to control themselves and immediately set themselves up to make better decisions. Why don’t we do this all the time instead of waiting for extreme circumstances to set us into motion? I am still working through the interview process, but it has gotten a lot easier. I have a wonderful support system and I have a strategic yet flexible plan. If you are also going through the interview process, take some time and utilize these episodes as a resource. It is my hope that they help guide you through your career shifts.

Episodes listed below: (Click the Podcast tab to listen to these episodes)

Ep. 13 – Demystifying The Interview Process w/ Jessica Williams

Ep. 21 - Let’s Negotiate Your Salary w/ Jessica Williams

Ep. 22 – What Is Success w/ Chris Whiting & Valencia George

Ep. 28 – Preparing For Your Interview w/ Andrelisa Livingston

Ep. 30 – Creating A Strategy For Your Career w/ Jazmyn Martin

Ep. 32 – Diversity and Inclusion Is Not A Workplace Trend w/ Jessica Williams