Negative Career Thoughts & the Walls we build
There is an excellent career assessment which can help individuals uncover the specifics of these walls. Experts at Florida State University have developed the Career Thoughts Inventory which has excellent results when interpreted by a trained career counselor. Here are three of the potential walls that you could be building or have built which are preventing you from moving forward with your career dreams.Decision Making Confusion
Decision making confusion could come from a variety of things impacting your search. The first thing any job seeker or career changer must first identify is, "what do you want?" Can you verbalize to others the type of job you're seeking? If this is difficult for you because you don't know what you like or you like too many things that it's hard to choose one, then Decision Making Confusion may be blocking your progress.I don't know what I want to do
First determine if you don't know because of lack of exposure to options, or lack of confidence in yourself. When you don't even know what's out there, then it can be very difficult to know what you would like and not like. It's time to get exposure through career assessments, job shadows, informational interviews, and career research. A career counselor can help you with this. Most colleges will have an office, or you can locate one in your geographic region through a professional association like National Employment Counseling Association or National Career Development Association.
If you are feeling a sense of being stuck with low motivation, then I strongly recommend meeting with a career counselor (who has a mental health background) or a local mental health counselor. There could be something rooted deeper than just finding a new job that's preventing forward movement. Some key giveaways that would indicate a deeper issue are negative self-talk, hopelessness, and low motivation for regular daily living. Here is a resource from American Counseling Association to find a local counselor.
There are too many options, it's hard to pick one
This could be an issue because you haven't fully explored the many options you're considering. Often people find it difficult to choose because it's believed they can do all the jobs they're considering. This may be true, but which one(s) would you prefer to do? I strongly recommend job shadowing and informational interviews so you can learn about the good/bad/ugly of the actual job. Job shadowing is great to learn what a typical day is for any job, and an informational interview can help you hear about the realities "from the horse's mouth." I recommend job shadowing for at least 1-2 full work days, but informational interviews usually only take 30minutes-1hour of the employer's time.
Commitment Anxiety
This is more about analyzing which option you would prefer to do 40 hours/week and 52 weeks/year, knowing that you are never locked into a job and can always take different directions later. I don't like to force a job seeker to limit their job search, but rather focus the search towards their top 2 choices. Then, once that job search is underway they can start including the next 2 choices. If you like to have options this job search strategy can be helpful, but remember to tailor your resume and cover letter and keep very accurate notes on the companies you've contacted for employment. With more options comes more chances to get confused. In the end, as you're offered a job, you will have to make a commitment to be employed. If this is still scary for you, then maybe further counseling is recommended to determine the source of the commitment anxiety and develop coping skills.
External Conflict
This wall could be the most difficult for people because it's more about how other people play a role in your life. Are you a people-pleaser and want others to like the decisions you make? You may prone to having an external conflict. Everyone has somebody they want to either make proud, or they don't want to let down. Who's that person(s) for you? Maybe it's your spouse, children, or parents (all very common). It's perfectly normal to feel a little pressure when you have significant others in your life, but the issue becomes more serious when those significant others prevent you from pursuing the career direction that suits you best.The typical external conflict I see with college students is parents. Parents, may want what's best for their child, but in the end are actually causing more harm than good by preventing their child to make their own decisions and understanding what it means to accept the consequences of their decisions. They may have created someone who blames others for their own failings. Think about it, if all your decisions were made for you, then you have no ownership and can easily blame someone for making you do it. In the end, the person who has to live with your decisions is YOU! If you choose to please your parents (or significant others) then you are also accepting the consequences of that decision, which could range from unfulfilled careers to depression.
Overcome Your Wall
Now that we've discussed the 3 potential walls to your career development, I hope you've come to a realization what might be blocking you from making forward movement in your career.
Simple Steps for Forward Movement
Decision Making Confusion
- Job Shadow/Informational Interviews
- Career Research on www.onetonline.org
- Use a pro/con list to evaluate the options
- Make a list of all the options you want to consider
- Rank order according to preference
- Start with your highest choices when job searching
- Talk to the person(s) that you're having the conflict with
- Use the research done on your career choice to support your decision and educate the person(s) on your choice
- Seek out counseling if you are apprehensive about having this conversation or there is a deeper conflict with the person that needs addressed first.
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