Are you somewhere other than where you thought you’d be at this point in your work life? Has an unexpected life situation – a health crisis, a company reorganization, an unplanned move to a new area, a change in marital status – derailed your anticipated career path? Take heart! More than a few 50+ women have been similarly derailed and are now singing joyful songs about the accidental careers they’ve landed in.
Early last spring I was interviewed by Kate Lorenz for an article on accidental careers that appeared on CareerBuilder.com. I was asked to identify some of the reasons that make accidental careers far more rewarding or fulfilling than expected. Here’s a summary of that article.
The silver lining phenomenon.
In general our academic training doesn’t include learning skills to help us identify a career we’re well-suited for. In the absence of a designated process, chance or coincidence or an inspiring role model can often speak to our emotional side and lead us to a career that turns out to be rewarding in ways we couldn’t have predicted.
Take your time.
Commit to a career search that isn’t necessarily linear, driven by finding a job. The single factor that will increase the likelihood of your finding a fully satisfying new career is a period of anxiety-free time. Find the financial resources to explore various career possibilities, but even more importantly to support an in-depth investigation of the dreams, talents and values that matter the most to you now. The job of one’s life is often the job that challenges you at your personal growing edge. Be open to self discovery during the search and look for work that draws you into the person you’re capable of being. Consider hiring a coach to accompany you on this process.
Plan for sustainability.
Different factors may be important now than were important in your earlier career search. Life/work balance, flexibility, alignment with personal values may matter. You also may want to aim for fulfilling work rather than passionate work – it may prove more durable into your golden years.
Letting yourself be guided by these principles may require a leap of faith. As a client said to me recently, I’ve always had the next job waiting at the door when I exited what I had been doing. I feel like a complete novice in trying to change careers differently, but I really want this one to be right for me.
So have faith, and good luck!
