The wind howled and I sensed an ominous energy. Sitting 1.5 inches above the water in a boat that measured a mere 21 inches across, I suddenly felt vulnerable as the surface began to jumble and waves churned in all directions. Each moment, it seemed, became more volatile. Like sitting in the center of a boiling pot of water, my boat and I began to toss about in uncertain and ever-changing directions. Suddenly I was 10 feet in the air looking down on an intensely agitated sea. Just as quickly, I was dropped back into the violent tension only to be lifted, slower this time, to a 30 foot height and carried 300 or 400 feet. Twenty seconds later, another ride. With each wave, I clung tightly to boat and paddle. I made no attempt to control anything but my upright position. I hoped that the rides would move me out of the storm center to a less tempestuous place. I tried to think about that, but for a terrifying unknown amount of time, I did not seem to be moving anywhere, just riding a swarm of angry waves over and over again in the same place. Just as I began to marvel at my boat’s ability to remain upright throughout this chilling experience, I was met almost broadside by a wave climbing higher and with greater speed than the one I was riding. My 14 foot boat and its inexperienced captain were no match for this merciless strength. Darkness was swift and I was surprised at the calm beneath the surface.
Being prepared can change everything.
I’ll use this analogy to show how being prepared, even in a career move, can make the difference between a good experience and a potential disaster.
The story told in the first paragraph could happen to a 20 year veteran of kayaking if the kayaker’s experience is limited to day trips in calm waters and no attempt is made to learn or practice more. A seemingly benign voyage to an island only a few miles away can end tragically if the kayaker does not know what lies between the current position and the destination, the skills needed to get there, and the potential obstacles that might be encountered. What is a wave, how does it form; how does wind affect the sea; how does the terrain under the water affect the waves on top? What are typical weather patterns, how can I find out what is expected today, does it ever vary significantly from the forecast? What do I do if caught in violent seas; can my kayak take that sort of battering; what do I do if I capsize?
In our last blog of this series (Stuck in the middle – how to move my career), the focus was on due diligence in deciding whether you want to make a career move and, if you do, what sort of move it will be. In reference to the kayaking story, at this point you’ve made the decision to remain close to shore or to finally go for the island you’ve seen for years that lies just beyond your comfort zone.
Congratulations! Whatever decision you made allows you to move forward in that 
direction. You will no longer wrestle with yourself over the unknown. Now you can enjoy the gentle breezes and the wildlife you’ve learned to appreciate in the relatively safe environment of the protected waters you regularly paddle. Or perhaps you’ve decided to go for the island. It looks so inviting and the distance no longer looks as great as it did when you first started paddling all those years ago. It is only a few miles away and boats go there all the time. Even other kayakers regularly make the trip. They say it is a wonderful place to spend the day or even a weekend.
The decision you’ve made provides direction. While direction is crucial at this point, it is important to note that continued investigation could lead to discoveries that cause you to change that direction. That’s okay, you must begin somewhere.
If you’ve decided to stay put, you should continue to improve your skill for the activity you are currently doing or for something you may want to do in the future. After all, this is about this moment in time – next year is another story. For now, learning to roll your kayak is not really necessary, though you can certainly do so for your own pleasure. If you still want to go for the island at some point in the future, start preparing now. Learn about navigation, weather, waves, and paddling techniques that will get you there.
The rest of this blog post concerns going for the island.
Now that you’ve decided to go for the island, you need to consider and act on what you learned during your preliminary investigation (from the previous post) and you might want to dig a little deeper.
- In the story, if you decided to go to the island, you would speak to people who have made the trip. You would probably read books and magazines about the trip and the surrounding waters, look at navigation maps (learn how to read them and get help from navigation experts), speak with local weather experts and/or look at almanacs and other sources of information.
- As you prepare for a new job, you should take similar action: speak with people who do the job now and ask questions. Ask if you can observe/shadow them, look at job descriptions and advertisements for such positions, speak with hiring managers and ask how your skills match up.
Armed with that information, your journey can begin. Follow these steps.
1. Ask yourself: Do I have the skill and knowledge required for the position I want? [Do I have the skill and knowledge required to paddle to and from the island?] If the answer is:
- No: Determine where/how you get the knowledge and/or skill, how long will it take, and how much it costs? Once you have that information, decide if you still want to pursue the next role. If the answer is:
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- Yes: Make a plan that includes target goals and action steps. Execute the plan.
- No: Decide if you want to remain in the current role or pursue something else. Do the same due diligence (what is the job, what skill and knowledge is required, what does it take to get the skill and knowledge, do you still want to pursue?). Repeat until you have the knowledge and skill or an action plan for getting it.
2. Plan. More research: Is there a best time to make the trip? What resources will I need? Will other people need to be involved? If so, who and how do I get them involved? What is the best strategy?
When making a trip on a kayak, there is a certain amount of planning, even if it is a short trip on a calm day. If there is a body of water to cross, navigation and weather are crucial 
to the planning phase. If it involves crossing a channel, other boat traffic can impact your trip. Letting people know where you plan to go is also very important. Packing water is crucial. Other things that are less important in terms of safety but equally important to your experience are packing food, snorkeling, fishing, or camera equipment, sunscreen, towels, and camping gear (if appropriate). Identifying a strategy is also important. All of your research will inform your strategy, perhaps when to set out on your journey, where to land on the island, and when to return for the smoothest ride that leverages currents, tides, and avoids large boat traffic.
For a job search, planning is also important.
- Do you have a good resume? If not, will you write it or work with someone else to do so? When will you have it done? Note: you might want a few versions to reflect the sorts of roles and scenarios you are seeking.
- This post has been written from the assumption that you are moving from one
role to another, so you are currently employed (most of the things you need to do are the same even if you are not employed). Does your boss know you are looking? Should you let him/her know? If so, when will you have the conversation?
- If you know what you want to do, but do not have a specific organization in mind, how will you research prospective employers? Which companies will you research? What industry? You might find one or two that you specifically want to target. Once opportunities role in with interviews, you will definitely need to research companies to ensure a good fit.
- What about those interviews? What will you wear? You might need to purchase interview clothing; do it now, before you get called and have to try to find the perfect outfit in a hurry.
- Having the skill and knowledge is only part of the move, often a very small part. Your plan definitely includes other people. You’ve got to know people and you’ve got to tell them what you are doing and how they can help. For some of us, that is difficult. I once told my coach that I felt like I was begging or intruding on people if I asked them for connections. Here is the conversation that followed:
Coach: “Laura, do you like to help people?”
Me: “Of course.”
Coach: “If someone you knew asked you to introduce you to someone and you were confident in their ability, would you want to make the introduction?”
Me: “Of course…ahhh!”
Coach: “Why deny the people who like you the pleasure of helping you?”
Most job offers do not come from applications posted in response to online or newspaper advertisements for jobs. Even internal job opportunities are not automatically sent your way. You’ve got to mine for opportunities and actively promote yourself. Especially in today’s job market, recruiters and hiring managers wade through thousands of resumes and cover letters for almost every job posted. Chances are great that they will never see that phenomenal, eye-catching sentence that lets them know instantly you are the one and only candidate for them. Sorry – tough break.
3. Act. First, stay on track. As you begin to seek a new role, you will encounter lots of potential opportunities. Keep your focus and stay true to your effort. As previously mentioned, you might change direction as you learn new things; just remain true to what you are trying to accomplish, to the real you.
- Write the resume, talk to your boss (if appropriate), buy your interview clothes and/or have them tailored and ready, research the prospects.
- Involve others. Use your network – even on the inside. Understand that you are not asking people for the job you are seeking – unless, of course, you know the person who has that job. Your network is a tool to help you locate the job you want and the person who has it. Perhaps you want to be a General Manager for Microsoft and you do not know any GMs or people who work at Microsoft. No matter, just tell people what you are after. They might know GMs with whom they can connect you. From the GM, you might learn more about the position. The GM might connect you with other GMs or might even have a connection in Microsoft. You never know where the lead might come from and where it might lead. Discovery is an interesting thing and your network is an incredible resource.
Note: DO NOT ABUSE YOUR NETWORK. You should be a resource to your network as well. It is not something to move in and out of only when you need something. Always be a resource to others and they will want to remain connected with and helpful to you.
- Make a list of everyone you know: friends, family, colleagues, current and former bosses, everyone. Now start connecting. Tell them what you are trying to do. Listen to them and consider how you can help them as well. Keep this effort up even after you land that dream job. This is crucial to your professional growth.
- Attend seminars and other events in your industry; connect with people at professional associations and at job fairs. Let people know who you are, what you are interested in and how you are qualified.
- At the end of interviews, ask what the next steps are and/or when a decision will be made. Follow-up interviews with thank you cards. Send an email if you have not heard anything within a week or two (depending on what you learned about next steps and when a decision would be made).
4. Don’t get discouraged.
- You’ve been looking at the island for a while. Even if you were the first person to attempt a crossing, you could do it – someone was the first to do everything. But you are not the first. You see people going there all the time. You’ve heard people extoll the wonders of the island and the journey. If an occasional naysayer tells you he almost got killed trying, listen to his story and learn from it, but remember that most people make it safely across and enjoy the ride. Perhaps your naysayer was not prepared. Be prepared and keep moving toward the island.
- You’ve wanted a career move or promotion for a while. Prepare yourself: get the skills and knowledge and tell people what you are doing. Ask for help. Let people know you are serious. Research, prospect, and market. Keep moving toward your goal. Be intentional.
What a glorious day! The wind and tide are in synch, as predicted, and the morning wind is calm as it generally is in these waters. A sunny, 70° Friday morning offers a perfect outing 
to the beautiful island that for years has beckoned me just a few miles offshore. The water is absolutely flat, so I don’t get to use the rudder I had installed, but I tested it and know I can rely on it if the wind kicks up at all. I expect to be at the island well before the wind picks up for its afternoon blow. By then, I’ll be sitting on the camp chair enjoying my lunch and snapping pictures with the digital SLR I packed in my dry bag. On the water, I play by catching the edge of my kayak and carving sharp turns in the water as I make my way to my destination. I make short sprints, doing about 6 mph, followed by dancing turns, and then gliding gracefully along with egrets and pelicans guiding my journey.
I’m glad I wore my neoprene suit. I’ve got the spray skirt on, but the water is still cold and my playing sends the occasional splash over the combing. It feels good on my face, but would get cold quick if my chest was not protected from the wet. I approach the island on the right, but move left about 200 yards before I land. There is a sea turtle nest that I want to avoid; I can see where it has been marked by the local wildlife association. I am so looking forward to exploring this gorgeous island. I’ll leave in about six hours, giving myself plenty of time to get back before the tides change as there is often a conflict between tide and wind in the evening at this time of year. Besides, storms will also be moving in this evening and I do not want to have anything to do with them. As I remove myself from my cockpit, I look back and see my companion’s kayak approaching a short distance behind. I feel comfortable having someone on the trip with me; I know it will be a great adventure for both of us.
We all have personal goals, obligations, and responsibilities that dictate our actions. We also have relative levels of fear, confidence, and tolerance for risk. Career decisions are personal and they are the sole responsibility of those most impacted by them – you.
e trapped by passivity to their professional growth and movement. Some took opportunities as they came available; some engaged in educational efforts without a specific outcome in mind; some started at one end of a career and just kept moving in the direction of least resistance. Some are quite successful by traditional measures. Some are very unhappy.
in the second half of our career lives – can move with greater intention toward some goal while remaining nimble enough to take advantage of opportunities. In fact, I believe that with greater intention, we will be better prepared to know the real opportunities and confident enough to let chances that do not align with our goals pass us by.
envisioning? What about your purpose? Would this future fulfill your existence?
Starting at that vision, work backward to create your map, and then execute the steps to reach your dreams. Millions of people are unemployed, but many have also been reminded of their passion. You don’t have to jump ship now, but you can begin the journey to your paradise.
