Question: When you are paying for your groceries at the checkout point at the local supermarket, did you:
- Make a beeline to the shortest queue you can spot?
- Still go after the shortest queue but will switch lanes if the person in front of you is held up
- Take the shortest queue, keeping jumping queue, whichever lane appears shorter
What would your answer be?
If you adopt the last strategy, you may be that job seeker who jumps from one company to another throughout your career. Does the thought of each new job that offers the excitement, challenges and unlimited opportunities thrill you? Did you shun away as soon as you encounter some challenges at work or a sticky situation? Do you tend to choose the path of least resistance -
Jump queue?
Haha, after all, there are many queues that you could join or jobs that you could apply to. That was 12 months ago! The job market landscape has changed drastically now. Accept it. A resume that shows scattering experience is giving the hiring manager more reasons and less/no confidence to invite you for an interview.
Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. ~Author Unknown
Good luck to finding the key if you decide to persist. It takes a brave heart to take you onboard. The risk versus returns is way too high. It’s no fun to start the hiring process when you jump queue, again. Put on the hirer cap and you will understand.
So, seriously what can you do? The following tips might offer some help:
- Take time to understand why you have a constant quest for activities, stimulation or experiences. Are you avoiding the pain of making decision? Why are you not easily contented? Is there something missing inside you? Identify it.
It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. Roy Disney
- Instead of calling it quits at each obstacle, stick with the experience. Make a commitment to learn from it rather than choosing the easy way out \u2013 escape. It will be more beneficial to have the quality of
experience than the quantity of experiences. Drill it.
- Take time to self-reflect what you want in your career. What are the long-term pros and cons of staying in this company? What values are important to you? Would slowing down your activities and concentrating on one of them yield better results for you? With lesser distractions and noises, you could pay more attention to that single activity and become competent at it. Master it.
- Answer questions (what do I really want in my career?) you may not know. Do not skip to next easy question. The challenge is to get past the challenge. What you fear most is what you need to conquer most. Do it.
The queue may be long in the groceries stores and I believe with patience and sticking to your lane, you will be able to checkout your items smoothly and happily eventually.
The successful man is the average man, focused. Author unknown
About the Author
Desmond Chua is a Regional Sales Director of a global consulting firm and has been using the Enneagram, NLP and other transformational tools effectively in his sales, training and recruitment. He also coaches people to resolve their problems in career, relationship, communication, health and fitness. For a free trial of email coaching, please write "
I am READY to change" in the subject to
dessiechua@yahoo.com
