The career path as we know it is over. In twenty years time, you won't be doing the same job. The market has changed, careers are skills based and your approach needs to adapt.
Spadework is the key. Research, thought and action will get you to where you want to be. Think of each job application as a project and tackle it methodically. It's all about the putting in the SPADE work — identifying your Skills, People, Attitude, Dislikes and Expectations. Use each of these terms as a heading and get to work on getting your dream job.
Skills
For an employer to understand what you are good at, you need to understand for yourself. Don't use nebulous terms but be clear and precise, following each statement with examples. Saying you have excellent communication and social skills is less effective than saying you work well in a team and then giving an example of the time you used your people skills to solve a problem.
People
Develop your social network. Colleagues, associates or friends will provide you with the network that's so essential in establishing your key strengths. Use them for advice, further contacts or gaining knowledge about sectors and opportunities. Just having someone to act as a sounding board can be helpful when you're trying to make decisions. But remember that relationships are a two way street, be grateful for any help and make sure you do the same for them.
Attitude
Confidence is everything. Focus on your best personality traits and skills. Everyone has something that they're good at, even if you think its unimportant it could still be a skill someone else needs so write it down. Once you've done this look at who could use these skills. If necessary search job adverts looking for ones that match up to what you've written. Just realising that these skills are valuable will increase your confidence and give you the attitude you need to get the job.
Dislikes
No one likes doing this bit but it will help. Identifying your weaknesses before someone else does can help you prepare. If you know you don't have enough experience in the sector you want to work in, make sure you play up your transferable skills. Be comprehensive in your analysis and do make sure that you identify areas you could change. Are there courses you could go to improve your skills? Could you do some volunteering to get more experience? Knowing your weaknesses can be the first step to solving them.
Expectation
This is where you sort fantasy from reality. Don't hold back but do be realistic. By all means identify personal goals you would like to achieve, places you would like to visit or even skills you want to learn. Identify your dream job and whether you can realistically do it. If you can't, is this because of problems you can overcome or are you being unrealistic? After all, if you haven't got off the sofa in weeks you're probably never going to play football for England. Is there a way you can build some of the dream into your career? Just because you're not doing exactly what you dreamed of doesn't mean it can't play a part in your future.
Now you have done the SPADE work, it's time to prepare for action. Ensure you have dates to benchmark. Create a list of people to contact, identify goals and make the time to achieve them. This is in effect your "to do" list. Have goals that are measurable. Such as a date to achieve promotion (and then list what you need to do to get that promotion) or a salary that you wish to be earning or the dream job you want.
Now you will be much clearer about what you are good at, what you would like to do and how to get there. Stick to your plan and if something doesn't quite work out, try again in a different way. Refer back to your conclusions every few weeks to see how you are doing, don't shove it in a drawer and never use it again. This exercise is designed to give you the motivation to take action, the confidence to meet with people and the clarity to make the right decisions.
There is one common trait amongst those who are successful. Focus. With your conclusions and action steps in place, that's what you'll have.
