Often clients will come in to see me and the first thing they'll say is: "I'm afraid I haven't accomplished much since the last time we met." Over the years I've learned not to take that statement at face value. People have a tendency to underestimate what they have accomplished if it falls short of reaching their overall goal.
Whether I am helping them in an active pursuit of other employment or their preliminary investigation of possible new directions, I then ask them to update me on what's happened on the job front.
While the specific details vary greatly, there's usually a consistency in the responses. Clients report on a combination of introspective pursuits that include mulling over questions and ideas along with more concrete action steps like conversations with colleagues or reviews of relevant websites. If the latter actions don't add up to many, clients tend to feel negative about what they have done. However, after exploring their whole process, including the introspective actions, it becomes clear to both of us that much indeed has transpired.
It is impossible for nothing to have changed in a client's situation from one meeting to the next, for we are always in a state of constant change. When people value only the tasks that have measurable outcomes in the course of their transition, they shortchange themselves and underestimate the significant progress that occurs on more subtle levels.
Instead of asking "What did I accomplish in my job search this week?" job seekers might consider the following questions:
• How do I feel about my progress?
• What shifts have occurred in my thinking around my transition since last week?
• What has contributed to this shift?
• Am I happy with where I am in the process? If not, what is the next step I can take to further it along?
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