In 2003, when Julie Jansen’s book “I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This” was first released, the business world was distinctly different from today in technology as well as many other aspects of work. By 2010 and the book’s second revised
edition, business was still recovering from the Great Recession, which that lasted from December 2007 to June 2009. Its third revision, released in this March, arrives to yet another markedly different workplace.
So what makes this classic first published more than 13 years ago still significant today? Simply this: There are still so many people unhappy, unfulfilled and not even moderately satisfied with the work they face every day.
In fact, according to the research group the Conference Board, more than 52 percent of Americans are unhappy at work. And who can blame them? The Great Recession cost the labor market 8.4 million jobs, many that never came back or were replaced by lower-paying ones. Median household wealth has fallen by 35 percent.
Workers are experiencing increased work- loads, stagnant pay and little opportunity for advancement. With changes in technology the lines between work and home have blurred. The workplace of today will never again resemble the workplace of 10 years ago.
Since distinct and dramatic changes have occurred in the workplace, equal changes that will motivate, reinvent and engage individuals must be developed, Jansen says. These are largely left for workers to create. They include a strong self-definition, ways to brand yourself and your work, and the necessity to be as resilient and flexible as possible.
Statistics from the US. Department of Labor indicate that the average American will have three to five careers and 10 to 12 jobs, holding each job an average of 3.5 years. With this in mind, Jansen says, changing careers is not only acceptable but also to be expected.
The author lists six work situations that people face in trying to achieve some kind of work-life balance. Some workers may identify with more than one. They are:
Where’s the meaning?
1. Individuals are looking for personal satisfaction or desire to help others.
Been there. Done that, but still need to earn.
2. These people have been successful in their work but can’t see doing it for another 10 or 20 years.
Bruised and gun-shy.
3. These are the victims of the changing workplace, laid o or discriminated against or just unable to find the level of job and income they once had.
Bored and plateaued.
4. People who feel stagnant in their current careers.
Yearning to be on your own.
5. This group includes not only business owners but also “independent workers” — those who work temporarily on specific projects for various companies.
One toe in the retirement pool.
6. Often baby boomers who want to work part-time or retire from their current work.
The book’s wide range of assessments and exercises empowers readers to identify the type of work for which they’re best suited and their ability to create a position that fits. These exercises are vitally important for anyone looking for work or to change careers. Without being very clear about your values, attitudes and abilities, it will be difficult to find nourish- ing work.
“It is essential that you get to know the one person who will be indispensable to your quest for work that fits you,” Jansen says.
The author expertly presents a variety of stories of those who made career changes, renewed interest in their old position or became entrepreneurial. For example, one worker with four careers to her resume has been in sales for 20 years and is now in her early 60s. Her avocation has been volunteer work that directly helps people. In an insightful way, she combines the two to create a new career for herself.
While the author explores self-employment as a goal for many people, she acknowledges that many are content working for someone else. Assessing the qualities that are important to you and if they are being met can help determine what you want to do. Jansen identifies 11 “keys to success,” ranging from confidence to perseverance, no matter if you choose to become an entrepreneur or work as part of an organization.
Finally, Jansen urges job seekers to trust their instincts. She says remember that as with any relationship, compromise may be necessary. However, with patience and skill, there is no reason you can’t find a job that fulfills your needs and fits your personality. Doing so will change your life.