Laid Off? Why Not Re-Evaluate Your Career Path Choices?

In my last post (only a few hours ago), I shared that I have recently lacked inspiration for writing recently. It never ceases to amaze me how social media friends operate as a support group. Within minutes, I received several emails from people sharing they've had the same experience, and offered advice. The greatest inspiration so far has come from people asking for posts on specific topics. Ask and you shall receive!

With unemployment rates reaching a 26 year high of 9.5%, there is a large chance that some of you reading this blog are unemployed yourselves. In fact, I would guess that every reader knows someone currently unemployed and needing direction. So, a Twitter friend asked me to approach this topic from a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment perspective, and I agreed.

It is important to note that I am not a career expert. What I can offer, though, are some practical tips from a personality perspective for examining your career path and job search activities.

While it is difficult to imagine any blessing from being laid off, you can create an opportunity for yourself by re-examining your career path choices and potentially explore a new path. My suggestion would be to find a career coach (look here for some suggestions or email me for help) and take both the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory. These

assessments look at career choices from different perspectives.

The MBTI Career Report can help you better understand where people who share your personality preferences tend to work. This report is by no means prescriptive or an equation

for the perfect job. Rather, it should help you ask yourself some questions about what work activities and results motivate you. The report includes (among many other sections) a list of the top 10 occupations for your personality type. These occupations are ones that your type are drawn to for some reason. The question is "is that 'something' the 'something' that will motivate you and provide satisfaction?"

The report also indicates how, based on your personality type, you typically approach a job search and potential strengths and weaknesses of that approach. A job search is more about finding the right job, but also HOW you try to find that job. Are you waiting for the opportunity to come to you? Are you relying too much on your social network? Are you not relying enough on your social network?

One other are of the report that offers practical application is how to develop in your career once you've found that perfect job.

You can see a sample of a MBTI Career Report here.

I also enjoyed this article on the MBTI Career Report: http://www.cppiconsuccess.com/2009/04/are-your-clients-looking-for-a-career-change/

In addition, many people find the Introduction to Type and Careers book by Allen Hammer very helpful. It's an inexpensive, comprehensive guide to careers for each type ($14.95 each from CPP.com). For example, this booklet explains that ISFP's are drawn to service-related fields such as Nursing, dental assistant, law enforcement, etc. In fact, ISFP's are common in the healthcare field in general. The booklet goes further to explain why (i.e. their strength in the area of gentle persuasion is one great example).

Once you know your MBTI preferences, you will likely also find the following two books interesting. The first is "Do What You Are" by Barbara and Paul Tieger. The second book is "What's Your Type of Career?" by Donna Dunning. There are many other books, but these two are extremely popular with my clients. I also find "Type Talk at Work" (by Otto Kroeger and Janet Thuesen) to be popular with those trying to develop within an established career.

With regard to the Strong Interest Inventory, the assessment looks at how your interests can guide not just what you do, but where you do it. I recently blogged about this here. You can see a sample of the Newly Revised Strong Interest Inventory Report here.

When you combine the power of the MBTI with the insights of the Strong Interest Inventory, you get a really vivid picture of careers that can fulfill your needs and offer higher job satisfaction. You can view the combined MBTI Career and Strong Interest Inventory Report here.

As I suggested before, I cannot stress the importance of finding an experienced career coach to both professionally debrief your MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory results, but also to help you structure your job search process. Once you settle on a career path, the search itself is affected by personality preferences.

For example, as an ISTJ, I researched and settled on my college major and future career path when I was a junior in high school. I stuck to that plan and achieved my goals along the way with little deviation along the way.

ENTP's on the other hand tend to get bored with their jobs/career paths fairly often and tend to have a more winding career path. I have an ENTP friend who has changed full career paths nearly every 4 years (not just the job, but full career). ENTP's see opportunity in dramatic change, whereas ISTJ's tend to see opportunity only in incremental change.

These differences in and of themselves really require one-on-one coaching and guidance from a professional. I'm glad to answer all of your career search questions and/or point you to a local career coach as well!

Happy Job Hunting!