Today’s question is a good one - maybe you’re asking it, too?
Dear Michele,
I love my job, and I'm (finally) pretty good at it! But I also have probably 25+ years of my career ahead of me yet. I'm pretty sure I want to stay put for at least 5 more years to feel like I've really invested and built something. But, I can't see my whole career at this same organization (in part, there's scant room to grow into a different position from my current one). How should I think about doing the things I need to do for my next move when it still feels far off? I'm lacking urgency, so how do I think about this strategically?
Sincerely,
Happy where I am but not forever
Dear Happy,
There’s something about the work ethic we’ve been taught and it boils down an attitude of, “Well, they’re paying me. I guess owe them 120% of my time and attention.” So we show up every day, put our heads down, do the work, collect the pay, go home and watch Netflix.
And we do it again the next day. And the next.
Which can be OK if the season you’re in is helped by having stability and sameness (i.e., parenting, caregiving, getting a degree, writing that novel), and it can also be OK if the work you’re doing feels fulfilling and interesting.
But, as you say, dear Happy, there isn’t upward mobility where you are now, so you’re going to have to leave someday. What do you do until then?
Fortunately, I have some thoughts.
One, don’t forget that there’s a whole, wide, big world out there, and there are so many people to meet beyond the walls of your office. Go to conferences and actually mingle and meet new people. Then, stay in touch with a few of them. Who knows - one or two might turn into great friends who will become your champions when it is time for you to find a new position.
Second, stay on top of your education and learning. Keep your credentials up to date and earn new ones. Of course, both learning opportunities are super ways to meet new people, develop relationships, grow your network.
Third, make sure you are known to your professional community. If you can write articles (and places like Substack certainly make that easy), appear on panels, do other media, you become seen as an expert in your field. People love to hire experts they’ve read about, heard on a podcast or seen on TV.
Too many times folks come to me, ready to make a change in their professional situation and I ask: “How’s your network?” and they reply “Well, I’ve been really busy…” And then I ask, “What are you known for?” and they can’t really say.
Finding something new is a complete slog for those folks.
But with a little awareness and intention, you can make changing jobs easier. When you know you have a move *sometime* in your future, it’s wise to keep an eye on the world outside your organization. Keep learning and growing. Keep making and maintaining relationships out in the world. Let people know who you are and what you know how to do.
And then let that next opportunity unfold for you at exactly the right time, generated by all the people who think you are amazing.