This post is all about the delicate art of job hunting when you already have a job. I’m not talking about how to schedule an interview during a busy workday (but briefly: Try to do it virtually when there’s a lull in your work, and for goodness’ sake, don’t label it “JOB INTERVIEW” on your shared team calendar). I am talking about what to do when you knowit’s time to move on, but maybe you’re feeling too tired, afraid or even complacent to do so. Here I offer some simple steps to get over that hump and move forward: 

Try virtual networking. One helpful remnant of the pandemic continues to be the option of a Zoom coffee. You might be Zoomed out from your regular work meetings and prefer an in-person meeting but take heart. The person you want to meet and learn from is probably also Zoomed out and busy. It’s going to be much easier and more palatable for them to instead do a 20-minute video chat. In fact, offer a regular old 20-minute phone call rather than a video meeting just in case they really are sick of being on camera. 

Is 20 minutes long enough? Yes, but you must be intentional and efficient. Read Marcia Ballinger’s incredibly helpful book, The 20 Minute Networking Meeting, to learn how to set an agenda and get key questions answered within 20 minutes. 

Attend professional events. Look for opportunities to hear speakers or attend workshops related to your profession. You’ll learn things that might be helpful in our current job, and you’ll meet like-minded folks, and maybe make a helpful networking connection or two. 

Note: Don’t be afraid to attend events that aren’t exactly related to your profession. Why? You never know who will sit next to you. At SXSW in Austin several years ago, I attended a Q&A between Andrew Zimmern and José Andres about the World Street Kitchen work in Puerto Rico – amazing and super-cool, but it had nothing to do with my professional interests. I introduced myself to the woman sitting next to me, and it turned out we were both from the Twin Cities. She was an executive from UnitedHealth Group. We met for coffee a few times over the next four years, and we ultimately wound up working in the same building. It was so nice to have an ally there before I even started, and we’re still friends.

Up your LinkedIn game. Most employers and networking contacts today are going to look you up on LinkedIn rather than ask for a résumé. What will they see there? Last week’s newsletter was all about creating a LinkedIn profile to make you more hirable. Give it a look if you missed it. 

Use the luxury of time. Sure, it’s hard to find time to look for a new job when you’re busy and consumed with your current job. However, it’s nice to have the safety net of your current paycheck while you search for the next opportunity. Unless you sense an imminent layoff, take advantage of the time to really think about what you want next and intentionally go after it. The answers to these questions should inform how you proceed with your job hunt: 

• Is the current work basically what you want to keep doing, but maybe in a different setting (for example, a smaller company, a remote job, or an agency with a lively vibe)? 
  ​
• Are you looking for a slightly different role that helps you acquire new skills?
  ​
• Are you looking for a title change and promotion? Is this a chance for you to get a raise and show that you’re ready for the next move up? Then learn what it takes and go for it. 
  ​
• Do you need to leave your current company because it doesn’t offer a good work-life balance, or does your boss not respect your work boundaries? Then do your research and find a place and person that does.

Take the time to listen to yourself. In my first-ever newsletter, I wrote about the importance of claiming some quiet time. Do that. Also, listen to podcasts focused on career and self improvement (although not every topic appeals to me, I’ve enjoyed a lot of Mel Robbins’ podcast episodes for this reason). If you’re the journaling type, I recommend a couple of reflective book/journals: 

• Over the past few weeks, I’ve done most of the exercises in a book called Designing Your Life that encourages you to use design thinking to intentionally plan and choose your next moves. (It’s about work but also the roles of health, love and play in your life.) 
  ​
• I also recommend the Brain/Shift journals from Behavior Shift, which are a blend of education and actionable exercises to help achieve goals and make life changes. (The authors also have a great podcast about applying behavioral science to improve your life – Behavioral Grooves.) 

Get psyched up. I’ve been in situations where I knew I was ready for a change at work but was just too depleted to spend any time looking for something new. If work is too exhausting and uninspiring to the point that you can’t consider what’s next, you need to find a way to get fired up: 

• Call or have coffee walk a former colleague who left your workplace and is now happy in their new role. Do this with as many happy former colleagues as you can. There’s a strong likelihood they’re going to tell you THE GRASS IS GREENER (and that’s what you need to hear).
  ​
• Read something inspiring. I read a couple of books that inspired me to take action in my most recent career change: Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield is part kick in the pants, part cheerleader, part marketing primer. It’s a quick read and filled with actionable strategies for preparing to leave your job. I also really liked We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging by Ritu Bhasin. If you’ve heard me telling you to step into your power, please know she inspired me to do so. 
  ​
• If you’re constantly getting bad news at work these days, please read what I wrote in this article and pay special attention to “Make a plan.” Summon the determination move on. You can do this! (You must do this!)

Articles of the Week:

1) I’m a big fan of public radio (and worked for a while in public TV) and found this essay by former NPR reporter Alicia Montgomery riveting. If you’ve followed the story about NPR senior editor Uri Berliner saying they’ve become too “woke” (🙄), this follow-up from Slate is well worth reading.
​The real story behind NPR’s current mess: The broadcaster is a mess, but wokeness isn’t the issue​

2) A special shout-out to my fellow first-born daughters with this short article from the New York Times: 
​Perfectionism is a trap. Here’s how to escape. ​

— Shayla Thiel-Stern, Uncommon Teal