3 Tips to Avoid the Summer Career Blues

Each year around this time, I find many of my clients and colleagues contracting a special summer sickness. While it often is as contagious as a summer cold, this particular malady can't be cured by Emergen-C or a Z-Pak. It usually sets in around mid-July and August, right before or right after a vacation. One finds her or himself asking questions like, "Am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing with my life?" and, when in its more advanced stages, "Am I ever going to be able to shake off this funk?"

If you or someone you know has a case of the summer career blues, get onto the path to recovery via the following:

1. Begin by taking stock of what you've learned through your career trajectory thus far. Because career enjoyment comes from a fusion of playing to strengths, engaging in meaningful relationship, and performing work in a culture that supports who you are, begin with these questions: What kind of work do I enjoy and am I good at? What kinds of people do I most like to work with? What kind of workplace environment sets me up to do my best work? The clearer you get on what you want, the sooner you'll be able to find it.

2. Start conducting informational interviews with people in fields and roles that pique your interest. Unlike a traditional interview where you are in the hot seat, in an informational interview you are requesting to speak with people in an area of interest for 20-30 minutes and pick their brains about their career trajectory, the company they work for, and their current role. Informational interviews are great way to explore new career areas, introduce yourself to key players, and in the process, market yourself.

3. Volunteer for a local nonprofit agency/community organization. Not only will making a contribution help you to feel purposeful again, it will also introduce you to a range of people in your community who may give you ideas and introductions that help connect you to your next opportunity.