Career Kit: Coach Approach

C

CAREER KIT

CAREER self-care

By Shirley Triller + Illustrations by Sophie Fleetwood

Five things you can do to feel better about your job and yourself

Work life has changed dramatically in the past several months. Some people have been furloughed or laid off. Some have had hours cut. Some have been working harder than ever. Whatever the state of your career, one thing’s for certain: You’ve likely had some extra time and space to reflect on it. How do you feel about your job? Are you happy with how you spend your time each day? How’s your relationship with your boss? As you take a glace in your career mirror, here are five things to reflect on and consider.

one

CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF What’s the state of your career right now? If you’re not sure how to answer that question, take a moment to ponder. Consider creating a career journal and taking some notes. If you’re loving your job, great. If your first thought is: “I need a new job,” give yourself more time to think.

For a lot of people who feel unhappy in their jobs, the course of least resistance is to do nothing. But doing nothing isn’t a safe move if it could put your career at risk. Feeling moody and indignant — and acting on those feelings — may give you a reputation as someone who’s “emotionally expensive.” Now could be the right time to brush up your LinkedIn profile and explore new opportunities. (Yes, it’s still possible!) Or maybe it’s just time to refresh your perspective on your current job. What could you change to make it better? Could you take more breaks during the day or create a more realistic to-do list? How about connecting with positive co-workers? When you’re mulling over bandwagon when what you

Shirley Triller is vice president of talent management at HRD Advisory Group.

two

CULTIVATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BOSS How are things going with your boss? Have you had time to check in on your career? If not, suggest a one-on-one Zoom session or meet for a coffee or walk.

Even if your relationship is strained, approach your boss with empathy. Imagine what keeps your boss awake at night. How would you feel if you had your boss’s role and responsibilities? Before you start a conversation about your career, look over your job description and recent performance reviews, and prepare some questions. When your boss shares feedback, listen — even if it’s difficult to hear. Next, make sure you understand your boss’s answers. For example, if she says she’d like you to be more of a team player, ask what she means by that. Is it about speaking up more diplomatically in meetings? If she says yes, ask her to let you know if she ever notices you’re doing that — or not. Then,

three

TALK TO AN IMPARTIAL ADVISOR work issues, avoid talking to your friends, who are likely to jump on your follow up and ask if you’re on track.

need is objectivity. Consider talking to a former boss or a colleague you’ve worked with in the past, your Employee Assistance Program or, if you can afford it, a career coach. (If you can’t afford it, see No. 4.)

four

BE YOUR OWN COACH Part of owning your career is being aware of your own preferences, values and strengths. This is true whether you’re trying to improve the situation in your current job or preparing for a position that suits you better. Ask yourself some tough questions (see sidebar). If your answers reveal a problem, think about what could be causing it. Would coaching or training help? Are you trying to force yourself into a role that’s not right for you? Do you need a vacation or more exercise to offset stress?

five

MAKE TIME FOR REST AND REVITALIZATION To maintain your emotional intelligence, you need to get enough sleep, manage negative self-talk and escape from work every now and then. Being a workaholic isn’t good for you or the people who work with you. Even if you feel like your boss and colleagues expect you to be available 24/7, you owe it to yourself to unplug from time to time. Setting boundaries is a sign of strength.

Crucial Questions

Take care of yourself and your career by checking in with your boss — and yourself. To prepare, use these questions or brainstorm your own.

FOR YOUR BOSS

▢ What are your expectations of me? Am I meeting them?

▢ What problem do you or the organization have that I’m uniquely qualified to solve?

▢ What are one or two things I could do differently to improve my work?

▢ What would I like to achieve

▢ What specific skills would you like to see me develop?

▢ How could I become more indispensable to our team?

FOR YOU

▢ What do I love and not love about work?

▢ How is my current job fulfilling my goals?

▢ What do I want to do more of — and less of?

▢ What makes me feel motivated and inspired?

▢ What would I like to achieve in the next year — and in the next five or 10 years?