Do you dream of having a bigger impact?

Just because you’re sitting in a job today, doesn’t mean that you have to stay there. As a Career Coach, I guide my clients on this all the time: you can (and should) expect more from your career.

A lot of people give up on their dreams of switching careers because they’re afraid of disappointment. That’s because switching careers without a plan can get messy. Before you jump into your next career move, you need to be intentional and deliberate about choosing the right fit.

Let’s dig into this topic and look at some questions I give my clients who’ve outgrown the job they’re in and want to shift into a new, more fulfilling direction.

First of all, there are 3 angles that I recommend you think about when defining what the ideal career fit means for you – Job, Work Environment, and Boss.

Fit for the Job

Are you doing the right type of work for you? Maybe you’re a Sales Executive who’s working on autopilot and is ready to work with clients who have more complex problems to solve.  Start by asking yourself a few questions:

*** What are you really good at doing? List your skills & talents. Be honest! If you’re a rockstar in front of customers, build strong relationships in unfriendly territory, love presenting (or anything else) – own it!

*** What do you love about the job you’re in? And what do you not like about it? For example, as a Sales Exec, you might enjoy building client relationships (and be really good at it), but you don’t like managing small accounts because you’re not challenged.

In this case, the next step on your career path could be to manage larger, more complex accounts. That’ll give you the challenge you’re craving. Thinking about this honestly can help reveal what you truly want next in your career.

Clarity on what type of work you’re best at doing is your first step to creating a rock solid plan for your next career move.

I’ve helped countless professionals create a roadmap that’s helped them build on their past career success as high-performers, step into their unlimited potential, and set themselves up for massive success. Trust me, having a plan works.

Fit for the Work Environment

Every industry has different demands and every company expects different things from its workers. So, it’s important to know how you fit in with the way things are done in that organization. This means asking yourself, “What type of work environment do I thrive in?”

Size matters. Do you want to do a bit of everything? A smaller company might be suited to you. Or do you want to stay in your lane and be an expert in your field? If so, then, a larger company might be better for you because you may have more opportunities to build your specialization.

What’s your style? Do you prefer to have processes in place or do you work better with less structure? Processes will help you know what to do next, whereas an informal structure would allow you the flexibility to have spontaneous hallway meetings and get things done quickly. Whatever your preference, make sure that the organization’s working style fits you.

Balancing act. How you maintain work-life balance reveals whether or not an organization would be a good fit for you. For example, you may have family commitments that only allow you to be in the office until 4. Whereas someone else may love being in the office late since that’s when they do their best work. And others might even prefer the option of working from home.

After a few years in the workforce, you should know what environment fits you best. Take some time to write down what type of work environment allows you to do your best work.

Fit for Your Boss

Working with the right boss can make or break your career. We’ve all been there, right?

Mini-exercise

To uncover what kind of boss is a good match for you, think about the best boss you ever had. How did that person support you to do your best work? What qualities did they have? How did they recognize your work? How did they support the team? Write this down.

In your next interview, your job is to ask good questions to find out as much as you can about your future boss and see how he or she lines up with your expectations.

By looking at your career fit from these three angles, you’re on the way to defining what career fit means to you. Remember, you’re unique and what fits for you may not work for the next person. Be intentional. Choose what will allow you to thrive and shine.

Now, share in the comments below. What does fit mean for you?  Are there other areas of fit that matter to you? I’d love to hear what you think!

To your success!

Cindy Harvey is a Career Strategy Coach and Founder of Amelia Dee, a career strategy company for women. Cindy helps corporate career women learn how to make the next phase of their careers the most fulfilling version they’ve ever had.

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