How to find work you love | Bob Moesta (Jobs-to-be-Done co-creator, author of "Job Moves”)

What are the Four Quests That Drive Career Changes?

Career transitions often stem from four primary quests: getting out, taking the next step, regaining control, and realigning with your strengths. Understanding these quests can offer clarity and guidance when contemplating a career change.

Getting out is about leaving a work environment that drains energy and stifles progress. It's driven by the need to escape situations that hinder personal or professional growth. This quest is often triggered by dissatisfaction or misalignment with company culture or values.

Taking the next step focuses on advancement and skill-building. It's suited for those who feel stagnated and are eager to embrace new challenges. This quest provides the momentum needed to scale the metaphorical career ladder.

Regaining control involves reclaiming authority over your work and life balance. It's prevalent among those feeling overwhelmed by current job demands, seeking flexibility and manageable workloads.

Realigning with your strengths is about ensuring work aligns with core competencies and passions. It can happen when current roles stray from what truly engages and excites.

By identifying which quest resonates most, individuals can better navigate their paths towards fulfilling and sustainable careers.

How Do Energy Drivers and Drains Impact Job Satisfaction?

Identifying energy drivers and drains is crucial for enhancing job satisfaction and aligning your career with your personal strengths. Here's how this understanding helps:

• Increased Awareness: Knowing what energizes you lets you seek opportunities where you thrive, building a fulfilling career.

• Better Career Alignment: Matching work tasks to your strengths boosts productivity and job satisfaction.

• Reduced Stress: Minimizing exposure to draining tasks can lower stress levels and prevent burnout.

• Informed Decisions: Awareness helps in making strategic career moves, ensuring roles that suit your needs and aspirations.

• Enhanced Team Dynamics: Understanding what drains and energizes you allows for better collaboration, as team roles can be adjusted to maximize collective strengths.

Regular reflection on these factors can guide career choices and improve work life quality.

What is Career Prototyping and How Can It Help?

Career prototyping is a methodical approach to navigating your next career move. By exploring potential opportunities, this process ensures alignment with your personal strengths and interests. Here’s how you can engage in career prototyping:

1. Research Potential Jobs: Start by casting a wide net. Explore various industries and job roles that pique your interest. Look into different companies and what they offer.

2. Conduct Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in fields of interest. These conversations will reveal day-to-day realities and help assess alignment with your energy drivers. This can prevent misunderstandings about what a job really entails.

3. Align Opportunities with Strengths: Reflect on your skills and passions. Weigh these against what you learn during informational interviews to determine if a job suits you.

4. Refine Your List: Through these steps, narrow down your options to roles that truly resonate with your vision and capabilities.

5. Take Action: Apply for roles that align with your findings. Craft your application by highlighting how your strengths meet the job’s needs.

Career prototyping helps in making informed decisions, reducing the risk of landing in roles that don’t satisfy your professional aspirations. For further insights on aligning yourself with valuable roles, consider positioning yourself where you can be an asset in your career.

How Can a Jobcation Benefit Your Career?

A jobcation offers the chance to take a step back and catch your breath without completely stepping away from the workforce. By choosing a less demanding role, you can rejuvenate your mind and body, allowing ample time to reflect on future career moves.

Example 1: After spending years in a high-pressure startup environment, accepting a role in a smaller, quieter company can restore balance and provide clarity on your professional desires.

Example 2: Transitioning to a position where you use only a fraction of your skills can create mental space. This downtime can be vital for personal recovery and planning your next challenge with renewed energy.

Taking a jobcation isn't about running from responsibilities, but instead about finding a strategic way to recharge and navigate the next phase of your career journey.

How to Craft Your Career Story for Interviews?

Crafting a compelling career story is crucial for standing out in job interviews. It should highlight your journey, strengths, and future goals, giving interviewers a clear picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.

Use a structured approach by following the Pixar-inspired template:

1. Once Upon a Time: Begin with a snapshot of your past. Describe a situation or experience that shaped your career journey.

2. Every Day: Share what became a regular part of your work life, highlighting key skills or strengths developed.

3. One Day: Present a turning point or challenge that spurred growth or change.

4. Because of That: Explain the actions you took in response to that pivotal moment.

5. Because of That: Describe the outcome. How did those actions lead to achievements or learning experiences?

6. Until Finally: Show how you arrived at your current position or state of readiness for the job you’re applying for.

7. Ever Since That Day: Conclude with your future aspirations and how the role fits into your career path.

This template helps craft a narrative that resonates with interviewers and showcases your unique journey and goals. To explore more strategies for managing personal challenges, consider how dealing with your career struggles can enhance your professional development.