I'm a certified career coach, and I work with people like you who are in career transition and in need of guidance and support. There's a special place in my heart for single career seekers. It wasn't so long ago that I was single myself and experiencing the same exact fears and feelings as you are.
Even though it may not always seem this way, there is an enormous amount of help and support out there for singles wanting to make a career change. It's a great time to learn, grow, and explore your many talents and personality traits. Here are four reasons why it rocks to be single and on the prowl for a fab new career!
1. You have more time to focus solely on your career search.
Being in a relationship requires time and commitment. You want to spend quality time with your partner. When you're single, you have more time and energy to focus on your career search. And let's be honest, more freedom to make any choice you want to in terms of the location or type of job.
Partnered career seekers have more to consider when making a career change. So see your single status as a blessing because it is in many ways. You're free, you're available, and you've got all the time you need to discover the job of your dreams.
2. Career transition can teach you how to better manage your finances.
Sometimes when we make a change in our careers, our pocketbooks can feel the pinch. Maybe you've quit your "real job" in favor of a part-time position that can tide you over while you go back to school. Maybe you had to step down to an entry-level position once you switched to a new industry where you had less experience.
The good news is, the money crunch is only temporary while you're in career transition. You can work through it and still manage to splurge on something you'd really enjoy every now and then. What's more, being in career transition really teaches people how to be smart about money. It can help you identify and clarify your priorities in order to manage your money wisely.
3. You'll learn a lot about yourself.
Career transition is one of those experiences where you can't help but learn a lot about yourself. By engaging in a transition, you are committing to stepping out of your comfort zone to make a change. You will learn what's important to you, what obstacles hold you back, and the enormous strength you have to go through this major change. Everybody proceeds on the path to self-awareness at their own pace. If you feel like people are putting pressure on you to make a decision or get everything right, remember this: it's your life. Only you will know when the right time is to start that new job, move to a new location, or whatever you want to do.
4. Career networking is a great way to get out there and meet new people.
Networking in order to land that new job is about putting your most professional foot forward. But you never know, you may also meet some new friends in the process and expand your social circle. I'm not suggesting career networking is a way to meet a prospective partner, far from it. But networking is a great way to put yourself out there and overcome any fears you may have about meeting new people.
The great thing about career transition is that during the exploratory phase, you'll become acquainted with parts of your personality that you may never even have known existed before. It's a surefire way to get closer to finding out what really will make you happy in life.
All the best for career seekers who are flying solo! — Hallie
About the Author
Want more tips for your career transition? Then grab your copy of Career Transition Tips for Singles Flying Solo by Career Coach Hallie Crawford. Copies go on sale January 2008 — visit www.halliecrawford.com/flyingsolo.html for more information and to reserve your advance copy today.
