Turning Clarity into Action: Your Fall Job Search Starts Here
From slowing down to speeding up—how to move forward with intention this Fall.
If you’ve been following along, you know my wife and I spent the last three months driving to Alaska in our camper. Over 12 weeks, we covered 15,000 miles, an adventure of a lifetime. We slowed down, soaked in the beauty around us, and pushed ourselves in new ways. I tested my limits white-water rafting, spotted bears in the wild, and even flew on a tiny Alaskan seaplane.
But when it was time to head home, we shifted gears. We were excited to hug our grandkids and ready for a proper shower. So, we drove. 4,187 miles in just 8 days.
That trip reminded me how different seasons call for different paces. Sometimes you need the slow, reflective part of the journey. And sometimes you just have to move—with energy and intention—toward what’s next.
Summer is often the season for slowing down and reflecting. Fall is the season for taking what you’ve learned and moving forward.
Summer Gave You Space—Now, What Will You Do With It?
By now, you’ve probably done some thinking. Maybe you journaled through your values. Maybe you built your Life Design Criteria. Maybe you created Odyssey Plans or even had a few exploratory conversations.
If so, congratulations. That’s real progress. But clarity without movement is still a holding pattern.
Now that Fall is near, it’s time to ask: What will I do with what I’ve learned?
Three Elements of a Focused Job Search
1. Sharpen Your Story
If someone asks what you’re looking for next, can you answer in a sentence? “I’ve realized I’m at my best when I’m building community and solving messy problems. I’m now targeting roles that let me do that in culture, strategy, or talent development.”
You don’t need the perfect tagline. You need a true one—anchored in your design criteria and real conversations.
2. Clarify Your Target
You don’t need a job title. You need a direction. Industry → Function → Type of organization → Problems you want to solve Start with a list of 20–40 target organizations. (Yes, this takes time. And yes, it changes everything.)
3. Build a Relationship-First Strategy
Apply less. Connect more. That doesn’t mean endless coffee dates—it means strategic, curiosity-driven conversations that help you learn and be seen. Think “who’s doing work I admire?” not “who’s hiring?”
What You Can Do This Week
To move from insight to action, try these:
Revisit your Life Design Criteria. What still fits?
Make a list of 10 people to reach out to—mentors, old colleagues, curious contacts.
Build your first version of a target company list (20–30 is great).
Book two informational interviews for this month.
Find one job posting that excites you—then write a positioning statement that ties your story to that role.
Want Support? I’m Back.
I’ll be working with a small number of clients who are ready to:
Turn clarity into momentum
Build a job search grounded in purpose
Tell their story in a way that resonates—and opens doors
I’m back home now, recharged, and excited to work with new clients this fall. If you’re looking to make a career transition, reach out—I’d love to help you turn your clarity into action.
