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Ask the Expert: Finding Balance Natalie Gahrmann is a success coach and owner of N-R-G Coaching Associates, a private coaching company that specializes in helping working parents achieve mastery of work and life. Her clients experience more clarity, direction and alignment while reducing stress in their busy lives.
Contemplating a Career ChangeMaggie writes, "Natalie, after 4 years of being a retail manager I'm bored and fed up with my job. I work long hours and don't see much room for advancement. I'm currently pregnant with my first child and would like a job with more flexibility and better pay. How can I make a change in my career?"Answer: My first career was in retail management so I can relate to what you are saying about retailing. However, before you jump ship, one option you may want to consider is to re-design your current work or look for a new position within your company. Sometimes, a simple reengineering of how work gets done and who is responsible for specific tasks can make a big difference in how the work is perceived. There are also opportunities in merchandising, buying, management, etc. for those seeking a career ladder within retail. People do change their career about 5 times over the course of their lifetime. So, transitioning to a new career is not impossible. Fact is, making a major career change can be a very difficult and stressful time in your life. It's usually advised to search for a new job gradually while you still have relatively stable work and income so as not to disrupt your life too much. The fact that you are expecting your first child means that you will be experiencing a major life transition shortly. You may already feel your thoughts and feelings shifting as a result. Don't underestimate how becoming a mother may impact your values and priorities. As a new mother, it's important that the time you spend away from your child is enriching to you. The more you can align your work with your personal mission (life purpose) the less stress you are bound to encounter and the less stress to your family. If you elect to change careers, the key to switching careers is to assess yourself first. Determine your skills, interests, values, aptitudes, preferred work environment, developmental needs, personal needs, your current and anticipated realities, and, accomplishments. Determine which skills and experiences are transferable. Having been a retail manager for the last four years, I'd imagine that you have some excellent communication, customer relations, organization, and, time management skills. These skills can be applied in many other occupations, as well. Identify which of your abilities and talents you'd like to use in a new career. The next step is the review and research your options. Explore your options in terms of occupations and industries. Then, discover resources and create new networks to support the direction you want to head. Get additional training, if necessary. Prepare your resume, practice job interviewing, gather company information, research work at home options, and assess whether or not you'd really like to continue working. If you choose to work, find work you will enjoy. If you don't want to work outside the home, evaluate your financial situation and determine how you could afford not working. Calculate how much you'd ideally need to earn to cover your expenses, and then, perhaps, explore other options outside of regular full-time employment. Working with a career development professional such as a career counselor, career development facilitator, career coach, job coach, or vocational counselor will help you with your career decision making and help you design a job search campaign that brings satisfying results. A professional will have a number of tools and resources available to help you assess your options, alternatives and potential opportunities to help you develop a new path. If you change careers, select a career that you feel driven to so that your work is meaningful and fulfilling.
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