Going back to work? Don't take another step in your job search process until you figure out HOW to be successful in your next role.  Why waste time, energy and potentially lost dollars on a role that isn't the right fit?  Get it right.  The first time.

Returning to work can be intimidating.  But you can eliminate your fears when you build your confidence and understand your strengths and career priorities.

My first piece of advice: relish the journey.  Because, your career IS a journey.  We don’t all get it right with our first job out of school.  The good news is: change is possible.  Exploring a new map or driving down a different road is easy.  The hard part is recognizing that change is appropriate.  The hard part is understanding that change is necessary.  The hard part is saying “I do”.

To get started on a career path that meets ALL your career objectives, take a little time to assess your strengths - your preferences - your likes and dislikes.  This is not about finding your areas of development (unless you need that to pursue your career path) but about identifying what you like best, in what situation or under what circumstances.

It just takes self-awareness.  Self-awareness is recognizing what you do well and acknowledging what you don’t.  It is also about knowing what you like, what you can tolerate and what you need to avoid.  It is a thoughtful decision-making process: How to be comfortable in your own skin.  Take inventory of who you are, where you are, why you are, and what you are – in a practical manner. Be honest with yourself about your skill set, your competencies and your goals.

There are ten critical “career conditions” that are necessary aspects of every job, position and career.  Once you understand your preference for these conditions, you will understand which link in the chain is kinked.  AND, you will understand whether you should fix that link or whether the kink is perfectly acceptable.

The ten critical career conditions are:

1. Communication
2. Listening
3. Learning
4. Management
5. Work style
6. Analysis
7. Work environment
8. Politics
9. Work/life balance
10. Rewards and recognition

These ten career conditions can be explored quickly here or in more depth in this book.  The important part is understanding your preference for each career condition, whether there is a gap in your current career path/company and - most importantly - whether you want or can close the gap.

The most important step is developing the prioritized career plan to guide your search.

To develop the prioritized action plan, you need to complete three steps:

1. Step 1 – Rate your preferences and your needs for each category.  Determine where the gaps exist.
2. Step 2 – Compare these ratings to how you believe your company/career path views these career categories.  Again, identify the gaps.
3. Step 3 – Highlight the most important categories, which ones you are willing to adapt to, and develop the detailed action plan.

To actually achieve career happiness, you need to make choices.  It isn't about having it all but about figuring out what ALL you can HAVE.  Then you will know how to go after it.

Get my book on the detailed career conditions to help you find the right job and succeed.  Or the download the Kindle version.