When career changers assess their strengths and skills, acommon piece of advice from job search “helpers” is to ask others around them what they are good at. I think this can be a trap and lead to a common career misstep. It is human nature for us to gravitate towards both what we are familiar with and what we have been reinforced for. Those seeking a new direction believe that it must be a sign from the universe that they should pursue what others think they are good at. Though this information can offer some valuable insights, it is important to step back and assess if you really liked doing those tasks or using a certain skill set. When we excel in a certain area we are often put in situations to leverage that skill, again and again throughout our careers. And a result of this is we don’t explore or develop other skills that we may enjoy using more in our careers. Remember that when evaluating your next career move, just because you can do something doesn’t always mean should. Take time to evaluate all the skills in your “toolbox” and pursue those that excite and engage you the most.
A Common Career Mistake
About the Author: Karen Kodzik
Cultivating Careers was founded by Karen Kodzik, a Career Consultant who has worked with individuals in transition for over 13 years. Karen meets professionals at various points on their career path and works with them to gain a clearer sense of where they want to take their careers.
Karen Kodzik holds a Masters Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Career Development. Karen couples seasoned counseling skills with a solid business acumen. She has coached and consulted various levels of professionals across industries to successfully reaching that next point in their career.
