So you have decided [or been chosen to decide!] the time is now to seek a new career / job / opportunity...
Reality sets in very quickly for some, and takes a little long for others, and intolerable time for a few, before you are able to answer and understand the WHY question [could be: new challenge, promotion, career shift, redundancy, etc...] Now you are ready to move forward and take a positive and realistic approach to:
The 3-Legged Stool Test...
I am told that I am terrible for using analogies to explain my arguments, thoughts, ideas or plain conversations...and the 3-Legged Stool Test is no different...
Before [and during] your job search get off to a roaring pace, you need to imagine sitting on a 3-legged stool, the goal being - achieve a level seat area and not too wobbly. I am going to assume you know to position the stool on level comfortable ground first.
For this I want you to take the following questions and imagine each is one leg of that 3-legged stool...
- What? [do what you want to do...]
- Where? [geographical or physical location of the What!...]
- How much? [do you need to support the first 2 Q's]
To pass the test, each leg must be of equal length [take and apply a realistic, obtainable and deliverable approach]. Easy eh...I don't think so, so many people put unrealistic values to one or two of the answers...here is an example! A new client came to me and he had prepared his 3 answers, and said his stool was level - you decide...
What - Nuclear Physicist - Power Generation (he had PhD and experience from another country)
Where - Rural area of South Western Ontario (likes open spaces and going for walks and decided this was were he wanted to live with his family)
How much - Six figures plus
OK, so what is the problem here... Er-mm! let me see, first - NO companies or facilities employ his What within 200 kms of his Where, his How Much is therefore irrelevant.
He Failed the 3-Legged Test
After identifying his options, he recognized that he could still achieve his What and How much by adjusting his Where and so leveling his stool, not wobbling around and oh yes, did I mention, he would be living in a rural community and satisfy the original reason for his Where...he now re-took the Test and Passed.
If you are conducting a job search, go-on take the test and see if you are level and stable, or leaning and wobbly!
