MAYBE
For some folks, this is a frustrating word.
What did the speaker mean? Maybe yes? Maybe no? Something else?
For folks in career transition/job search, “maybe” (and similarly vague words) can be extra concerning. After all, career transition/job search is a challenging enough experience, without people injecting more variables and shades of grey.
“Maybe” can create doubt, despair, and similarly negative emotions. Its vague nature can cause one to walk away, seeking another option that, hopefully, has more clarity/certainty.
“Maybe” can also spark hope. It may be a beam of light shining on and an opportunity to be seized.
So what do you do with a “Maybe”? I like to think of it like this:
M – must
A – apply
Y – your
B – best
E – effort
Whether the “maybe” means something negative or positive, your response is the key.
Put forth your best effort to vet the reality of the situation and plan your next steps:
- If not good – disengage. ID lessons learned. Apply them to your go-forward action plan
- If good – dive it! Build relationships. Do your homework. Be assertive to keep progress moving forward.
You veteran career journey is yours. Don’t let “maybe” derail you.
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