I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

January 1, 2003
"Close your eyes and...imagine what it would feel like to be happy and excited and fulfilled in your work." Can't do it? Career coach Janson's no-nonsense volume just might help. Herself a former disgruntled employee (she worked in broadcasting, recruiting, outplacement and other fields), Janson is a big proponent of jobs that suit: work, after all, "is not 'one size fits all.'" She identifies six reasons people find their employ unsatisfying, from boredom with an overly familiar routine, to insecurity in the face of discrimination or a toxic boss, to lack of focus on work due to an eye on upcoming retirement. Several quizzes and questionnaires ("When you think about the things you find meaningful, what comes to mind?"; "Do you prefer to be the leader rather than have others lead"?) help readers identify their job problems and the kinds of work they might find more meaningful, as well as build confidence in their choices. Janson offers stories of those who made the career change successfully (or in some cases, found a way to renew their interest in their old positions) as well as guidelines for becoming more entrepreneurial. Her advice is seasoned and her tone encouraging, making this a solid resource for people who know they don't like what they do; it might also be a wakeup call for others numbed into job complacency.