Having spent more than 10 years working on systems projects, I embrace and apply the project cycle in most of my activities. The cycle in a typical information technology project goes like this:
1. Recognize that a need exists (a new, upgraded, or enhanced system is desired) 2. Define with end users the requirements of the completed project 3. Develop a strategy, task plan, and assign resources to implement the change 4. Execute the steps of the plan, watching time and budget 5. Evaluate the results and rework/retest as needed
The final step is always asking the question: “Did we end with what we envisioned and does the result meet the business need?” Sometimes the result is exactly what was defined but does not really meet the current needs. While this outcome can be a little discouraging, it does not necessarily mean that the process was bad or that someone messed up.
What it can mean, though, is that the initial requirements were not defined very well. The whole plan for action is built around the initial assessment of what is needed-- what the requirements are to have a good outcome for the people using the system. If the needs/requirements were not identified properly in the first place, then all the effort of making a change will be toward the improperly stated goal.
The point of explaining this cycle is that I perceive career decisions, especially in times of transition, as being a lot like a project. It all begins with identifying what is needed, what the characteristics are that would define a satisfactory outcome. The strategies, action steps, and evaluation of the result should all follow after careful analysis is done to see what is really desired and required.
What I believe happens quite often, though, is that people who are changing jobs do one of two things:
(a) Launch right into searching for a job that is exactly like the job they already have, or (b) Think about careers they might like but assume they cannot pursue them.
My goal as an advisor is to help individuals spend time up-front in getting a handle on who they are and what careers might be viable, even if it is an occupation they had not thought about before. By evaluating personal and work style preferences, analyzing interests, incorporating personal values, and realistically appraising current skills, there is a much better chance of setting a more appropriate goal for the job search.
Job Transition Motto: Invest the time up-front to carefully formulate a desired result, so that all the effort that goes into the job search is time well spent.
Otherwise, you may end up landing the job you targeted, but find out it is not really what you want or need.
