Nobody enjoys looking for work. The Internet makes it easier in some ways, accessibility for instance, but it sucks you in and takes up a lot of time. You can easily spend hours searching for jobs and feel like you’ve worked hard on your job search but actually have zero concrete possibilities.

Shiny things draw you in. Shiny things are easy and attractive. When you’re worn down by online job search they become more alluring.

Shiny things might be similar jobs to ones you’ve done before. You had decided to pivot or do something different, but it would be so ‘easy’ to fall back into these roles. “I can do all that!”, you yell at an inanimate list of job requirements. However, there’s a reason why you want to make a change. What you did wasn’t working!

Shiny things might be retraining into something new. It’s often a bit random and unrelated but in a moment of madness, you think “Yes, why not?! I’m sure I’d be great at shampooing puppies!”. Or you hate Facebook and Instagram but Social Media Management is so flexible! Those opportunities will work fine for some people but random retraining rarely aligns with your values, qualifications and experience.

Shiny things might be super-flexible, like buying a franchise. For a fee, you have an instant business that practically runs itself whilst you take care of all your other responsibilities and watch the money roll in. If only. Franchise owners do well out of this arrangement!

The simple solution to avoiding shiny things is focus. When you take the scattergun approach (looking at lots of things) to job search your attention wanders. When you sort out your non-negotiables (must-haves) for your next role and get really clear on your career, your job search becomes aligned and efficient. And your CV, LinkedIn profile and Elevator Pitch follow suit so you can really sell yourself. Is it time to refocus your job search?

What next?

Super-charge your focus! Book in for a free, 20-minute Discovery call and discuss your career project with us.