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Nailing Career Transitions (for non-founders)
My friend @vivekpreddy and I love helping people with career decisions. Between the two of us, we've watched hundreds of people transition from "a bad place" to a thriving career.
Today I'll share their lessons.
My friend @vivekpreddy and I love helping people with career decisions. Between the two of us, we've watched hundreds of people transition from "a bad place" to a thriving career.
Today I'll share their lessons.
Vivek and I did not create their success. These are observations, not claims of credit.
1) Reflect honestly.
Too many people bullshit themselves about their past. Are you blaming your former boss? Are you pissed off about mistreatment?
These problems are seldom just one-sided.
1) Reflect honestly.
Too many people bullshit themselves about their past. Are you blaming your former boss? Are you pissed off about mistreatment?
These problems are seldom just one-sided.
2) Take time off.
If you need to take a part-time job to pay the bills, do it.
Now is the time when you MUST go deep, figure out what you really want and find something new. You can't do it while under the gun.
If you need to take a part-time job to pay the bills, do it.
Now is the time when you MUST go deep, figure out what you really want and find something new. You can't do it while under the gun.
3) Ikigai.
Your job is to find the intersection of what you love and what you can get paid for.
When are you most successful? Most happy?
Ask your friends and former colleagues what you do best. Recall the moments you are most proud of.
Your job is to find the intersection of what you love and what you can get paid for.
When are you most successful? Most happy?
Ask your friends and former colleagues what you do best. Recall the moments you are most proud of.
To find what you can get paid for, go broad.
There are millions of options out there; explore areas of interest and then follow people you like.
Listen to podcasts, look up companies you like and check out their career pages, LinkedIn stalk your heroes.
There are millions of options out there; explore areas of interest and then follow people you like.
Listen to podcasts, look up companies you like and check out their career pages, LinkedIn stalk your heroes.
4) Check your ego.
99% of bad career decisions start with the ego. Either you are unsure and under-sell your abilities or you are reaching for things that aren't a fit because you're chasing status or money.
The world is going to share signs of what it thinks; pay attention.
99% of bad career decisions start with the ego. Either you are unsure and under-sell your abilities or you are reaching for things that aren't a fit because you're chasing status or money.
The world is going to share signs of what it thinks; pay attention.
5) Organize yourself.
It's amazing how few people do this, even though it is so easy and obvious. Make a spreadsheet, take good notes, and follow up regularly with your contacts. As you build up your pipeline, your future self will thank you for your diligence.
It's amazing how few people do this, even though it is so easy and obvious. Make a spreadsheet, take good notes, and follow up regularly with your contacts. As you build up your pipeline, your future self will thank you for your diligence.
6) Rocketships over titles.
You are beholden to the success of your industry and of the company you pick. If you need to have a good title, you'll overlook great opportunities.
The best promotions come WITHIN companies not BETWEEN companies.
You are beholden to the success of your industry and of the company you pick. If you need to have a good title, you'll overlook great opportunities.
The best promotions come WITHIN companies not BETWEEN companies.
7) Bet on yourself.
The best things come when you are at your Ikigai. If you find that, then put yourself in a position to benefit when things go well. Take the lower pay for the higher upside or better fit.
The best things come when you are at your Ikigai. If you find that, then put yourself in a position to benefit when things go well. Take the lower pay for the higher upside or better fit.
8) Think about lifestyle, not just money.
Find out what lifestyle comes with your job and whether it fits your best self. Talk to people who have the job currently and ask them about their life (not just work). If you want to work super hard, great, just go in eyes wide open.
Find out what lifestyle comes with your job and whether it fits your best self. Talk to people who have the job currently and ask them about their life (not just work). If you want to work super hard, great, just go in eyes wide open.
9) Outbound.
90% of great opportunities come through personal networks, not structured recruiting processes. Even if you are in high demand, your best opportunity is in your outbox not your inbox.
90% of great opportunities come through personal networks, not structured recruiting processes. Even if you are in high demand, your best opportunity is in your outbox not your inbox.
10) Negotiate.
Everyone always wants you to start right away. They always start low and move up when you push for more. Titles are often up for discussion as well. Make it clear what you want and ask for it.
Everyone always wants you to start right away. They always start low and move up when you push for more. Titles are often up for discussion as well. Make it clear what you want and ask for it.
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