“Work should be what you WANT to do.”
karim rashid

I was first introduced to “good design” when my mother took me to an art museum to see an exhibit on the Bauhaus movement. This was not my first visit to an art museum, but I have to confess that it was the first time that I really enjoyed myself. It was not until many years later that I realized why this exhibit grabbed me. It was visually soothing and seemed to effortlessly blend the varied design disciplines—graphic, industrial and architectural. Or perhaps the exhibit reawakened a part of my heritage. My grandfather was a stonemason and the Bauhaus curriculum included stone as one of the key materials for building buildings. Whatever the origin of my interest in design, I am a passionate consumer of anything dealing with design.

What does design have to do with our work lives—unless of course we happen to be graphic, industrial or architectural designers?

Well, I like to think of our careers—our work lives— as works in progress. We should continually be refreshing not only our resumes, but also the work we do (or wish to do). I call this process work redesign, which is an on-going process and one in which we are in control. We may be “in transition” because of something that happened to us, but we choose to redesign the work we do.

We can learn from the design disciplines about redesigning our work.

Designers seek solutions. The design process typically begins with identifying a problem that needs to be solved. In the business world they like to call this an “opportunity.” How can we make something that is both functional and attractive? What can we do to reduce manufacturing costs? How will the end user actually use our product?

“Gregg Berryman writes in his Notes on Graphic Design and Visual Communication1, “Everyone ‘looks’ at things but very few people ‘see’ effectively.” When redesigning our work, we must be able to see “the problem.” Maybe it is that we are in a job we no longer enjoy. Or, we were laid off from a job that was “ok” on most days. Perhaps we are stuck—not knowing where to begin the search for something better. What would it look like? How would we go about finding it?

In the job market like we have today (challenging…) with record numbers of unemployed individuals, it is tempting to define “the problem” as finding a job.

If we start with this as our solution, any job will do.

The problem is not that we need to find a job, but that we want to find a job that works for us. It is tempting to jump at the first opportunity— even if we know that the work is not exactly what we had in mind. We feel pressured —by ourselves and others—to act this way and, we find all sorts of reasons justifying why the offer really is not so bad.

Designers teach us the importance of properly defining the problem, before searching for solutions. In applying this to our job searches, we should pause before dusting off that resume and be sure that the solution we are seeking fits the problem.

It is difficult being a beginner at any age.

But…it becomes harder being a beginner as we grow older. We expect beginners to be young and inexperienced. What happens when we reach a certain age and decide to try something different is that there seem to be higher performance expectations—both from others and from ourselves.We should know how to “do it”. Perhaps that is why—as we mature—we become less inclined to make a change in the work we do.

Most of us will remember learning how to ride a bicycle or tie our shoes. It took
practice and often the steady hands, guidance and patience of others as we tried to balance on two wheels or loop the lace of our shoes. We felt awkward and we made mistakes. But it was different then. We were kids and kids often feel awkward and make mistakes. We knew that the only way to get better was through practice.

Embarrassment may hold us back from practicing— from taking the time necessary to hone new skills. We may give up before we have given ourselves the chance to get better.Telling ourselves that “we just are not very good” at doing whatever it is we are trying to learn to do. We give learning no space.

If you want to do something different and doing something different requires learning something new, be patient and be kind to yourself. Even at “your age” taking off the training wheels can be scary. And besides, you may want to leave them on while you get a better feeling for the road ahead of you.

Most of us are in the midst of some type of change. Philosophers, writers, and others have suggested that life is, in fact, what takes place when we are in the middle of change. It is this place in between —where we are and where we want to be— where life happens. There is a great term used to describe this place—it is the liminal space which is defined as: “of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition: in-between, transitional “on the threshold.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/).

While the name is intriguing, experiencing the “in between time” is often uncomfortable for many in our culture. We prefer to just move on and get beyond this awkward period of confusion. Yet, as William Bridges, who calls this place the “neutral zone” in his oft-cited book, Transitions, this is the time not to rush— for from it one will discover, grow and start the work of creating “new beginnings.”
Most of us are in the midst of some type of change. Philosophers, writers, and others have suggested that life is, in fact, what takes place when we are in the middle of change. It is this place in between —where we are and where we want to be— where life happens. There is a great term used to describe this place—it is the liminal space which is defined as: “of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition: in-between, transitional “on the threshold.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/).

While the name is intriguing, experiencing the “in between time” is often uncomfortable for many in our culture. We prefer to just move on and get beyond this awkward period of confusion. Yet, as William Bridges, who calls this place the “neutral zone” in his oft-cited book, Transitions, this is the time not to rush— for from it one will discover, grow and start the work of creating “new beginnings.”

Whatever the name, you will know if you are in the liminal space. If, for example, you awaken one morning, and have the feeling that your “clothes no longer fit,” or the once familiar routine feels different and less comfortable. Your life patterns have been disrupted. Welcome! You have arrived at the liminal space-and if you are like most people, you will want to leave quickly. But, as Bridges and others suggest, this can be a time of renewal, so try and stay awhile.

Sometimes it takes prickly sensations —like feeling disoriented, disappointed and disconcerted—to nudge us into this liminal space. While this is not, as I remind clients, “the time to go solo,” (i.e., trying to be heroic and figuring everything out on your own), it is an important time for introspection and reexamination. A time for thinking about and imagining how you might reconfigure parts of your life.

So, while the impetus for change might be external—the work ahead begins with you. Just be sure not to travel alone.

Whatever the name, you will know if you are in the liminal space. If, for example, you awaken one morning, and have the feeling that your “clothes no longer fit,” or the once familiar routine feels different and less comfortable. Your life patterns have been disrupted. Welcome! You have arrived at the liminal space-and if you are like most people, you will want to leave quickly. But, as Bridges and others suggest, this can be a time of renewal, so try and stay awhile.

Sometimes it takes prickly sensations —like feeling disoriented, disappointed and disconcerted—to nudge us into this liminal space. While this is not, as I remind clients, “the time to go solo,” (i.e., trying to be heroic and figuring everything out on your own), it is an important time for introspection and reexamination. A time for thinking about and imagining how you might reconfigure parts of your life.

So, while the impetus for change might be external—the work ahead begins with you. Just be sure not to travel alone.

February 26, 2009 2:11 PM

One thing that is true about this job market is that we must stand out from the crowd. As the numbers of unemployed increase, more people are competing with us for our next gig. So, what are some ways to make sure that we are noticed?

There are few things that are not found on today’s ubiquitous t-shirt. I discovered ResumeShirts.com (resumeshirts.com) from reading a CNN article by Jessica Ravitz—Online relief for the recession-weary.

If you are like most job hunters, you have spent a great deal of time writing your resume and cover letter, so why not always have them on hand—so to speak.

With a t-shirt from ResumeShirts.com, you can be a walking advertisement—wearing a t-shirt that displays the first page of your resume’ or your cover letter— right on your back. As Jeremy Redleaf, the owner and founder of the very new Web site Odd Job Nation told me—“You never know who is going to be standing behind you at the grocery store.”

I could hardly wait to order my very own resume t-shirt today— and with a price of $19.99 plus shipping and handling this t-shirts are real bargains. Where else can you get such exposure? And the news gets better—and who is not ready for better news? All the proceeds from resumeshirts.com go to Redleaf’s new business—oddjobnation.com, which you will want to check out, but be forewarned, it is not your typical career site and may not be appropriate for some.

At times like these, it is important to try and have some fun—and who would not have fun looking for a job in a t-shirt?

For more info:
resumeshirts.com
oddjobnation.com
Jessica Ravitz article, online relief for the recession weary.
www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/24/recession.web.sites/index.html

Times are tough. Most of us are looking for ways to cut unnecessary expenses, so why would we want to spend money on a career counselor? They can be expensive (typical rates are between $100 and $175 and hour). They can also be difficult to find. And, what should we expect to get for our money?

Lately I have stumbled upon a number of articles addressing these questions.

On February 5, 2009, Roseanne Colletti (huffingtonpost.com), asks two important questions in her post—Unemployment is Hard Work:
#1 “Should you hire a career counselor?”
#2 “How do you find a good one?”

Colletti writes, “An experienced and competent career counselor can keep you focused and direct your efforts to fields that are not only within your reach but have viable openings.” She goes on to warn, “An inexperienced and incompetent career counselor can waste your time and money.” So, buyers beware. As with all professions, there are some good and some not so good career counselors.

A place Colletti suggests you visit to start your search for a knowledgeable career counselor is by visiting one of the career counseling professional organizations, such as the National Career Development Association’s website. While this is a good place to start, it is not the only source for finding competent career counselors.

We often find career counselors like we find other professionals—by asking people we know if they know a “good” career counselor. This makes sense when you think about it. When choosing a career counselor, you want to work with someone that someone that you can trust and good place to start is by asking others whom they trust.

Once you have a few names, you are ready to take the next step, which is to interview the counselors to find out more about their services— and perhaps more importantly, to see if the two of you click. And, make sure that when you chat, that the counselor is doing more of the listening.

Taylor Lindstrom, writing for SFgate.com (Staying Ahead of the Curve) shares her thoughts about why hiring a career counselor might make sense. “ The value of a career counselor is that right away the person who is without a job gets powerful structured help in doing all the right things. People on their own tend to wander, procrastinate, shut down, surf the Web, says Littlestone. When they go to a career counselor, there’s someone who knows what they’re supposed to be doing, who will make a plan, check in.”

Being accountable and having deadlines is often helpful.

Career counselors are not magicians. We cannot change the economy or attitudes, but what we can do is to give people hope, and show them some ways to move forward. In times like these it is rather nice to not have to “go solo”.

I was among the millions who watched in awe and with great hope as the 44th president of the United States of America—Barack Obama—was sworn into office last week.

While watching the ceremony—from the arrival of the family and orderly procession of political dignitaries—to the tandem departure of Bush and Obama, I was struck by the formality of the day. It is, of course, not surprising that nothing would be left to chance on this important day, but I think that there is more to the story.

Pomp and circumstance facilitate transitions. Rituals help us navigate the journey from here to there. As Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957) first described in his book The Rites of Passage in 1909, there are three parts to a transition:  (1) Separation, (2) Transition and (3) Incorporation. He viewed these rites of passage as “ceremonial occasions” and “pointed out that such rites were the way in which traditional societies structured life transitions.”

Events marked by beginnings and endings and witnessed by, in the case of last week’s inauguration, by millions. Proceedings designed to whisper goodbye and shout hello. Celebrations of hope—that things will be better.

So, while last week’s celebration will be endlessly dissected and discussed by the media and others, if only for a few more hours it is my hope that we can simply enjoy the promise of something new.

You know things are bad when career counselors reach out to other career counselors to find out if someone in the network has some words of hope, gems of wisdom on how to help their dispirited clients. As one of these career counselors, who watches the employment statistics and privately wonders how “those people” will find their next work— as the numbers exiting far outweigh the numbers entering. I too look for ways to help.

I would like to think, as I am sure other career counselors do also, that I can offer clients hope—even in these times of accelerating unemployment. I am learning that aside from reminding clients of the importance of networking and being realistic about job prospects, that what is really important is helping clients manage their work transitions. This is about change as much as it is about finding the next gig.

In prior columns I have written about change and recommended the compact, but powerful book by William Bridges, Transitions. While there may be other books on the market—a search for books about transitions on Amazon resulted in almost 400,000 suggestions—I do not think there is a better guide to what takes place during transitions, than Bridge’s gem. (No, I am not affiliated with William Bridges, nor do I get any compensation for recommending his books, although that might be a nice source of additional income if you are reading this, Dr. Bridges.)

Understanding the ups and downs of making life transitions is somehow comforting. Transitions does not offer false hope, but it paints a picture of what lies ahead—and during these uncertain times, I think it may be comforting for those in transition to have this perspective.

The news remains scary.
“A minimum of 10,000 workers at Merrill Lynch & Co. are likely to lose their jobs after the company is acquired by Bank of America Corp. Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Richard Bove wrote in a note to clients Tuesday. ‘Bank of America’s slash and burn style following acquisitions is likely to be pronounced at Merrill,’ Bove said. “
“Separately, Bloomberg reported that Merrill plans to cut about 500 jobs in its trading unit as Chief Executive John Thain reduces the workforce to position for an economic slowdown.” Market Watch, October 22, 2008

In these unsettling times it s not surprising to wonder, “Am I next?”
Certainly this is not the time to be thinking about what we might like to do—work-wise. But rather, this is the time to fly below the radar and hope that we will make it through this rough economic downturn with our jobs intact. Yes, that is one strategy, but it is not the only strategy, and in the long run, it really is not a good or healthy strategy.
Think about doing something different “this time.”
Whatever the external circumstances and our internal challenges, when it comes to the work we do, it is in our best interests to have a backup plan. Why would we want to leave our work lives to “chance” or give others the exclusive power to determine our futures?
Actually, I think that this is the worst time to let inertia be our strategy. There are warning signs screaming out to us and we pay a very high price if we choose to not pay attention. Having strategies for our work, like the earthquake emergency kit that we promise ourselves that we will one day pull together, if only we could find the time is critical to our safety. So, let the current turmoil of the markets, like the last temblor, be the impetus for finally crafting our “work survival kit.”
Unlike “earthquake survival kits,’ you must create your own “work survival kit.”
Here are three things to keep in mind as you begin:
1.    Don’t start by updating your resume.
Like most of us, you probably have not updated your resume since you started your current job. Yes, you will need to dust it off and make it current—but before you so, there is more important work to do.
2.    Don’t operate from a base of fear.
Reframe how you are thinking about work and start looking for the possibilities. “If I wasn’t doing this work, what work would I want to be doing—and where might I want to be doing it?
3.    Don’t assume that the way things are today is the way things will be tomorrow.
If you do, you will be disappointed. Things will not be the same, so try and imagine how they might look and develop strategies for applying your skills and experience.

Yes, the headlines are scary, but “this too shall pass”—and where will you be/

There was a time when we chose careers and professions for a lifetime. Much was made of the importance of choosing wisely, for the choice would dictate how we would live our work lives. Articles were written to help those suffering from the malady labeled “career indecision”. Instruments were developed to match us to the “right career”. The decision once made felt irreversible.
But what if we were wrong or what used to work no longer works?

Fortunately today’s environment is more conducive to making career decisions throughout our lives. That’s the good news. With the good news comes the challenge of figuring out – not just once, but multiple times, what we really, really want to be when “we grow up.” (Keep reading this blog on gibsonworks.com for tips on choosing your work.)

Many of us are redesigning our career into multiple ways of working. We do not have to decide between teaching or writing… or practicing law or working in the medical field…or playing the violin or helping others plan their future. We really can have our cake and eat it too.