and the world around you has turned upside down, what do you do? Â When all of your job search efforts, interviews, breakfast meetings and resume re-writes lead you to the same place, nowhere, who do you turn to for help? Â When it’s no longer enough to keep going, sometimes you reach for a little divine inspiration, sometimes you want to give up. Â You know when you’ve reached the end of the road, this is the time to pick up where you left off and start all over again. The old way of doing things, whether it’s working or not, always seems a better option at times like this than venturing forth and trying something new. When your job search hits rock bottom it’s time to push away the rubble and climb out of your hole.
It might seem that you can’t even fathom how you can venture back to the beginning and start all over again. But you can and you must. Â When you reach rock bottom, and trust me we all have, it’s a time of renewal and an opportunity to shed light on what it is you really want. Â Your temptation may be to run and hide, but life will seek you out no matter what rock you choose to hide under. Let’s face it, it’s never easy starting over. Looking back, clinging to the past even if it didn’t work, is much more comforting to us in times of trouble than figuring out the next game plan and how best to attack your career strategy.
When the job you want does not materialize or it does and we decide we no longer want it, it’s time to make a change. Â Career change right now is one of the hardest areas anyone has to deal with. Since our economy is plagued with uncertainty and scarcity, the options left to us are limited and we are forced to create our own path and forge ahead or, in most cases, we are forced to cling to what we have even though we know it no longer works for us. That in and of itself is a scary proposition. Â It takes a certain amount of foresight to know which path to choose and an even greater amount of courage to actually start moving in that direction. But trust me once you do you’ll never want to look back.
When you hit rock bottom it’s time to pick yourself up and get moving again. Â Even if that movement is in circles, it’s okay, you need to pick up momentum and find your way out. Â Finding temporary work, asking friends and family if you could work with them for awhile, even being brave enough to create your own work, are all steps in the right direction even if your ultimate goal is to find another job. Â Hitting rock bottom doesn’t mean you’ve come to the proverbial end of the road. Â It does imply you’ve come to the end of this road, but another one is just up ahead, if you only take the necessary steps to move towards it.
Starting over, beginning anew, making a fresh start are all encouraging expressions for what is a really scary prospect. Â It doesn’t mean that you should fear the unknown, but it does mean that you should fear not knowing when it’s time to move on. Â When something no longer works for you, whether you are in a job you can’t stand, a job transition that is going no where, or still trying to find your way, the prospects of moving forward into the unknown might be scary, but the fear of being stuck in the past is far more troublesome in the long run.
If you find yourself  at the end of this road and are about to embark on a new path, it’s okay to be afraid – we won’t think any less of you.  Just know that taking even one small step forward is a big enough start in a journey where the other foot will soon follow-remember, it’s got no where else to go.
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Copyright © 2024 Lisa Kaye - HR & Business Consulting - The Career Rebel
Hi Lisa
I thought that this piece was written with warmth and understanding that will inspire others to move their career forwards through looking at alternative options.
Kind Regards
Stewart Stone
Lisa, what a wonderful post with great inspiration. I agree that giving up is the natural reaction to a job effort that may not have resulted in the desired outcome. What is amazing about this process is that sometimes when we are about to give up is the point that we should keep going because it could be that next phone call that leads to the right opportunity. The key is to stay persistent and have something in our lives that gives us the ability to pick ourselves back up. Thanks for writing this today! Marguerite http://twitter.com/MGRecruiter
Its a great article, thanks for sharing it.
CONSULTANT at GENPACT LLC
Dear Ms.Kaye
It was very interesting to read your article, because we think about it and you have transformed it into an insightful article. Waiting to read more of such articles in the near future.
Lisa, I just read your latest post. At first, I was concerned as it began by painting a very bleak picture. It finished strong and postive. With that in mind, I’d like to invite you to link with one more Michigan based HR guy. I’ll thank you in advance for your acceptance.
– Ray Saxe, SPHR
This was excellent, kind, patient, and gracious.
Thank you for the inspirational article. As a transitional, career-change individual, I have experienced challenges and roadblocks to my next career. Inspiration like yours and others keeps me going down that road that will eventually lead me to my new dream career.
I have always been a person that believes that the glass is always half full. This past year ALMOST had me believing the opposite. I spend a part of my year on searches for my clients that were put on hold or filled from within. The balance of my efforts were in support of other recruiters. No control in this area. This was not a year to remember but one to forget. Throughout the year I maintained contact with my clients and made cold calls to other companies. Some of the work is already starting to payoff. I now have a few good searches to complete and my attitude is intact. A possive attitude will always give you possitive results. The timing may not be on your schedule but when the business turns back in your direction you will be ready!!
Pete Piazza, Owner, Professional Placements of Michigan, Inc.
I’ve just dropped a comment on your post, which I enjoyed, via Linked In.
It resonated with me since I’ve recently decided that I really want to focus on my own coaching and training business now rather than senior HR interim roles.
I’ll send you a Linked In invite, and would certainly like to talk to you regarding the use of television features and other media to help the millions who are “stuck” and lacking direction in their professional lives.
Hi Lisa,
I just happened to come across your article at the right time! For the past several months, I have been contemplating on whether or not to get into a new field. I’ve been tirelessly trying to market myself based on my current skills and experience, but it’s been a long road for me to find the right job match. I’ve always been an optimist and know that with perseverance, I will succeed. The “unknown” is sometimes hard to battle!
Thanks for your article. Great job!
Michael