I’m on a mission to end the job search that is draining, soulless, expectations-driven, and painful.
I remember the first time a client asked if I tell people who are thinking of working with me that I make the job search fun. It was such a revelation to her that it could be something other than drudgery. It’s not that I make the process artificially fun by candy-coating the existing process, but I help people fundamentally change the nature of the search and the interview experience.
Here’s how I would describe the current nature of the job search and interview process. It’s built around:
Worrying about finding the “right” job
Constantly trying to fit yourself into the professional world because you feel that that's the responsible thing to do
Trying to convince other people to hire you for jobs that you don’t know if you want
Hiding or diminishing what you really want to do in case it doesn't fit with what other people want you to be doing or think is best
Applying to a job and wondering “am I really good enough?” but also “is this what I actually want?”
Interviewing for promotions which would require more of the work you don’t enjoy
Going for opportunities that feel lacklustre to you or don't excite you
Making decisions based on fear and external opinions
Preparing questions that you think the interviewer might like and adjusting your answers to what you think they want to hear
Draining. Soulless. Expectations-driven. Painful.
Energy is being wasted where you could be contributing.
It fundamentally changes when you get to discover what’s right for you. When you’re clear that you have values, preferences, strengths, and know the environments where you thrive, it then becomes about finding the right match. Instead of a reactive fear-based process, it’s now a process of curiosity, self-expression, values, and proactive cultivation of opportunities. The conversations become two-way, where both parties are interested in finding the right fit to allow you to thrive. There’s authenticity, clear communication, and connection.
At the same time, we also have to acknowledge the parts about the job search that get in the way of us being ourselves, mainly the systemic barriers of racism, sexism, ageism, etc. You may have to constantly try to fit yourself into the “professional” world (where our ideas of “professional” are inherently biased) and navigate what’s safe for you in the job search. Not everyone gets to “just be yourself!” in the process and not everyone will be judged the same way in interviews, on resumes, etc. You may be unfairly judged on how you speak, how you dress, how you express yourself, what questions you ask, and more. So we won’t pretend that isn’t exhausting to try to be what people expect of you in the workplace AND I want to support you in finding your own agency within the systems. The more you know about who you are and what works for you, the more choices you get about what environments you are willing to work in.
When you get to find your own agency and show up as authentically as possible in the job search and interview process, it feels radical!
I’ve had so many clients land jobs recently in this new paradigm and I love to ask them the following question:
What are the main lessons you want to remember in the future, based on your experience of this new kind of job search?
Here are some of the beautiful responses:
Even though sometimes it doesn’t look like it, I always have choices. It’s important to not feel like I have to accept any job.
I thought I would never be able to find an opportunity like this. Don’t lower the bar.
The interview process is a two-way conversation. If they disqualify me for asking the questions that are important to me or wearing my hair the way I choose to then I don’t want to work there.
Spend time thinking about how my values intersect with the company instead of asking basic non-question questions.
Something that sounds like it SHOULD be a good fit doesn’t have to be something that I’m interested in or an opportunity I take.
Let my interests and strengths lead the way. I get to trust my excitement.
You don’t know where you're going to end up so keep those options open. I ended up in a place I had completely written off.
It’s so inspiring to get to see people find what works for them in the job search process. And not only does it make the process lighter and more fun, it gets results. Hiring managers notice, interviewers notice, and clients are landing the jobs.
You get to stop spending your energy trying to be what you think they want and getting jobs you might not even want. It’s time to start honoring who you are and what’s right for you and expressing that along the entire process.
Welcome to your job search of connection, exploration, creativity, and authenticity.