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

Searching for Meaning? Real-world career strategies. "...not just about reading words."

Julie Jansen

Here's what one reviewer on Amazon.com had to say about Julie's books. "I was a big fan of Julie Jansen's after reading her first book, "I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This." In fact, reading that book at an important juncture in my life helped successfully propel me forward to go back to school for my MFA and to reignite my passion for writing. So I just had to read "You Want Me to Work with Who?" when it came out. There is a real longevity value to this book. It's not trendy or too "today." I think the advice given will apply ten years from now, and I also think it can be applied to a lot of different situations (not just "the office" - in fact, I thought about how helpful this book can be for everything from going back for an MBA or joining the PTO - situations that attract very different personalities!) What I love most about Julie's books are that there is a depth to them. The experience is not just about reading words, but you have the opportunity to do exercises that let you look inside yourself and how the concepts she writes about apply to you and your situations - while giving realistic advice about what to do."

Questions Peter Clayton Asked Julie Jansen

You travel and speak to groups all over the country. What's the buzz?

So you're a career coach, speaker, author -- what's your background?

What kind of coaching do you do?

Are you normally hired by a company to coach an individual?

I'd like to spend some time discussing the Keys to a Stress-Free, Satisfying and Successful Work Life...No Matter Who You Work With because as we all know, people don't leave companies, they leave bosses and managers that make their lives miserable. So here's the question... my boss is a toxic, obnoxious jerk - what can I do?

What are some strategies for adjusting to a new boss that you're not comfortable with?

One of the 11 keys you discuss in your book is humor - which, let's face it, can be a wonderful antidote for stress - but can also get you in a whole lot of trouble. So how can you effectively use humor at work?

Another key - which is become essential - is flexibility. Change is happening so rapidly that people really need to see change as a good thing. Am I right?

What advice to you give someone who walks into work one day and is introduced to their new boss - whose 10 or 15 years younger?

Let's talk about your first book, published in 2003 -- In I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This, If you were writing this book today, would you change anything?

One of the very typical situations you write about: Bored and Plateaued - what are some strategies?

 Been There Done That, But Still Need to Earn - with the job market tightening up - many people are grateful to have a job and a paycheck?

What are some strategies for conducting an active job search if you're currently employed?

I'm sure you get many questions like this: "I've been looking for a new job for 8 months and I've only had 2 interviews. I've sent out 100's of resumes and responded to 100's of job board listing and never heard back from anyone.”

•  Bored and Plateaued
•  Been There Done That, But Still Need to Earn
•  Bruised and Gun-shy
•  Searching for Meaning
•  Yearning to Be On Your Own
•  One Toe In the Retirement Pool

  Then, Jansen puts readers on the path to career and job satisfaction through self-knowledge.  For example, she offers a series of career assessment quizzes that help readers learn how to recognize and understand their present work or career situation with objectivity.  She provides evaluation exercises to help readers uncover the type of work for which they are best suited.  She also includes her “top 10 Keys to success” to help discouraged job seekers and tentative career changers envision a new future, and outlines the necessary steps for moving on to a more fulfilling and desirable work life.  
 
In researching this book, Julie Jansen interviewed 120 people of various ages and professions.  Their personal, real-world anecdotes will help readers relate to others who have gone on—with Julie’s guidance— to find work they love.  The book’s annotated resource section is filled with cutting-edge books and websites that correspond to each chapter.

Resources:

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