Connecticut summers are idyllic, even with the recent heat wave. Many of our calls start with….”I would like to schedule a career counseling meeting in September.”  Their thinking is that few companies are hiring in the summer and/or they will want to change careers or jobs in the fall.

But most always career fixes require a period of transition that is not instantaneous.  It takes a few months –  even in the best of circumstances to change jobs –  and longer for . career changers.

The challenge I face is metaphorical to the holistic healthcare practitioner or  medical professional who suggests ways to shift for long term health. She’s thinking of the patient’s long term health.  The patient might be so focused on the near term that he’s just thinking “give me some pills so I feel better.”  The caring medical professional will give the pills but will also take the time to counsel the patient on how to be healthy in the future.

For that reason, I am particularly happy when a new career counseling client comes in who is not in current misery. He simply is looking to create a future career vision. Taking such an affirmative step makes an enormous difference.

Plan in the summer,  change in the fall.