Jessica McGregor Johnson's ShiftSurgery
Careershifter question
By Oregano
In order to make a career change I'm going for a role that is half my current salary! I'm worried they will reject me because I currently earn so much. How can I win them round in my cover letter?
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
If you are happy with the salary offered and it isn't a problem for you, then it shouldn't be a problem for them. Let your willingness to take a drop in salary speak for your commitment to wanting this role...
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Careershifter question
By Polyhymnia
How do I get my career back on track in a new country, get to do what I do best, AND make a
living wage so I can finally help my son through university, save for
retirement and maybe one day own our own home?!Â
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
One step at a time is how you do this. If you put everything (new career, living wage, son's education, retirement and own home) on one decision, one ‘last chance', then you are asking a lot of yourself and of any situation...
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Careershifter question
By sunri5e
I want to change career. A job has come up that I would really like to go for, but it's a totally different job to the one I'm currently in and I'm concerned that my CV won't get me to interview stage. Can you help?
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
People often think that you have to show that you've done a similar job before when going for a new role, but it's actually a matter of demonstrating effectively that you have the skills required for the job. Here's how to do it...
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Careershifter question
By human106
I used to consider myself quite creative. I'm now a planning manager in a very large company with a good salary but I can't stand the thought that "this is it for the rest of my life". The money I earn is preventing me from leaving - all the "interesting" jobs seem to be badly paid.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
Henry Ford said "Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right"...
Start to challenge your beliefs - those are what are getting in the way of you creating a job that grabs your interest, that motivates you to want to go to work everyday and do the best you can.
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Careershifter question
By angeorge
I'm 55, I've been working with the same employer for 33 years. I'm ready for a change in career and there is a good retirement package on offer, but I lack confidence in my ablility to find a new job. I don't know where to begin looking.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
I am not surprised that you have little joy scanning the job websites. We can only become enthused about what's on offer once we have become excited about what we are looking for...So Instead of trying to match your current skills to another job, reconnect with your interests - your passion and purpose - and go from there.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
My 'dream' opportunity has presented itself, but pursuing this opportunity means potential negative impact on my wife - she is more sensitive to change and leaving the stability we are fortunate to currently enjoy.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
Change by its very nature is scary. There is always an element of us that likes to maintain the status quo, even if we know intellectually that the change could be good for us or someone we love.
I am reminded of a client who took the risk and went for the dream with many of the same trepidations as you. Ultimately his partner had flourished in the light of his happiness, had been drawn forward by his fulfilment.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
My 'dream' opportunity has presented itself, but pursuing this opportunity means potential negative impact on my wife - she is more sensitive to change and leaving the stability we are fortunate to currently enjoy.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
Change by its very nature is scary. There is always an element of us that likes to maintain the status quo, even if we know intellectually that the change could be good for us or someone we love.
I am reminded of a client who took the risk and went for the dream with many of the same trepidations as you. Ultimately his partner had flourished in the light of his happiness, had been drawn forward by his fulfilment.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
I am desperate to find a more ethical, more fulfilling way to earn money. I feel like two halves of me are fighting - I need something scientific to keep my brain happy, but something that helps people to keep my heart happy.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
First I think you could do an exercise that truly identifies what skills you actually feel passionate about using. Here's how to do it...
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
I want to move away from a career in sales but it seems that potential employers and agencies can only see me in sales roles!
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
What you need is a CV that doesn't mention roles or titles so much as skills that you have that are relevant to the role you are going for. Here's how to go about it...
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
I know the work I do makes a real difference, which I always wanted to do, but it just doesn't motivate me...Should I just be brave and walk away from it, having given it a try and found it's not right for me?
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGrego...
It seems to me that this is about the compromise between safety and security or taking a risk to follow your heart's calling...Look at your situation, very safe but not very interesting...I think you need to ask yourself 'how much do I want to live life to the full?'.
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