One of the biggest career mistakes I see isn't choosing the wrong job.
It's trying to answer the wrong question.
Every week, I talk to professionals who ask things like:
Should I go back to school?
Should I leave healthcare?
Should I stay in government?
Should I pursue another certification?
Should I change careers altogether?
Those are valid questions.
But they're usually not the first question that needs to be answered.
The better question is:
What problem am I actually trying to solve?
Because those are two very different conversations.
If you're burned out, another degree probably won't fix that.
If you're underpaid, changing industries may not be necessary.
If you've reached your ceiling, maybe the answer isn't starting over. Maybe it's repositioning the experience you've already built.
I've noticed something lately.
People often believe they have an options problem.
In reality, they have a clarity problem.
And when you don't have clarity, every option feels equally risky.
You spend weeks researching programs.
Reading job descriptions.
Watching videos.
Asking everyone around you what they think.
Yet somehow, you still don't feel any closer to making a decision.
Sound familiar?
That's because more information doesn't always create more clarity.
Sometimes it creates more confusion.
The goal isn't to collect more options.
The goal is to understand yourself well enough to recognize the right one.
That's why I believe career clarity comes before career strategy.
Before we update a resume.
Before we practice interviews.
Before we submit applications.
We need to answer one question:
What does success actually look like for you now?
Because the answer may be very different than it was five years ago.
And that's okay.
People grow.
Priorities change.
Careers should be allowed to evolve, too.
If you've been feeling pulled in several directions lately, don't rush to make the next move.
First, make sure you're solving the right problem.
Everything else becomes much clearer after that.
If you're tired of trying to figure it out on your own, I'd love to help.
The MISTRANSLATED Consultation is a chance for us to identify what's really keeping you stuck and determine your best next step.
Sometimes one conversation can bring the clarity you've been searching for.
To landing what you've earned,
Kourtney Checots
Government Career Strategist | Resume Success Coach LLC
You're not unqualified. You're MISTRANSLATED.
Helping experienced helping professionals gain clarity, reposition their experience, and move into careers that better reflect their value.
Wondering what's next?
📩 [email protected]
🌐 resumesuccesscoach.com
🧵 @kourtneychecots
P.S. Know someone who's questioning their next career move? Forward this email to them.