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By Helene Lauer

A career transition that is destined for success begins with an answer to the question: what do you want to do next? Not, how much money do you want to earn? Career changers or job seekers who can define their true ambitions know what they want to do, where they want to do it, and what changes they might endure to reach their goal. Armed with this knowledge, their ambition quotient, they will have an easier time motivating themselves and influencing others to help them achieve their goals.

First, Think like a Kid (or at least a young professional)

There is no question that people in their 20s and 30s find it easier to dream about their ambitions. With encouragement from parents and mentors, these young professionals have permission to consider a wide range of possibilities. At mid-career it is difficult to find the same support and to give yourself permission to re-examine your priorities and interests. Inevitable workplace disillusionment and the perception that you are too old to start over interferes with the ability to take risks.

Then, Think like an Entrepreneur

After interviewing and advising hundreds of executives in career transition it is remarkable to observe that many cannot articulate what they want to do next. Money appears to be the only goal they can cite-not the nature of the work, the preferred industry, the challenge, or their ultimate career goal. Their behavior is starkly contrasted with entrepreneurs who are driven by the desire to use their ideas and skills to make a difference and who will often willingly sacrifice free time, conveniences, and life savings to reach their goal.

Dream about the Future

To renew yourself as you explore your next career move, reframe your thoughts. You are not only competing with others but also challenging yourself to find meaning in the next phase of your career.

Here are some ways to reconnect with your hidden, ambitious core:

• Articulate all the assets you bring to your next job or career. If you need some help with this step read William Bridges' Creating You and Company. This book is filled with exercises and questions to start this process.

• Allow yourself to dream about your ideal job and share your dream with others. Fight the tendency to think that the time to dream is over. Your dreams do not need to be earth-shattering. They can be built upon making the best use of what you already have to offer and making a difference as a result.

• Develop a resume that is perfect. It should advertise your accomplishments and it should be written by you. You can seek out some help with editing and formatting the resume but basically the resume should be developed by you, the person who knows you best.

• In each conversation you have with your network make sure you tell others what is motivating you to find your next job. Be comfortable with discussing the work that you truly want to do next.

• Look at your job search through the lens of your future employer. Your job at this point is to demonstrate your unbridled motivation. Stay away from discussions about salary, vacation, and other benefits. Employers and recruiters are looking for the most highly motivated candidates and not candidates who are screening the job based on perks.

Your ambition quotient is the key to sustaining your job search and ultimately repositioning your career. If you allow yourself to get beyond economic necessity as a reason to find your next job, you are more likely to persist, have more fun looking for a job, and achieve the response you are seeking from employers.

Helene Lauer, M.A., is a career consultant based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She can be reached online at www.helenelauer.com.

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