Time for a Second Opinion

Regular readers know that I’ve been dealing with some “fun” (insert sarcasm font) health issues for more than 8 months. I guess it comes with the territory as you age. But one issue has been particularly frustrating for the last few months.

I’ll save you all the details, but my struggle centers around an increasingly painful shoulder. Thanks to repeated prodding (metaphorical and literal) from my physical therapist, two weeks ago I finally sat down to do something about it. I spend multiple hours finding another doctor for a second opinion as my healing efforts were being stymied by my current doctor/health insurance plan. The option I found would require a 40-minute drive, but I was feeling pretty desperate.

Last Tuesday, after I an x-ray and examination, I received the diagnosis my physical therapist suspected all along…“frozen shoulder” (which sadly doesn’t give me any of Elsa’s powers or vocal range). Treatment meant a cortisone shot before I left their office. The pain immediately decreased, and my smile returned.

I still have plenty of work ahead but I’m finally making progress. And that feels SO good.

Why do I tell you my medical horror story?  I’m sure many of you have your own with our horribly broken medical system in the U.S. and can empathize with me, but that’s not the point.

I share, because it reminded me how important it can be to get a second opinion, EVEN when the person providing the first opinion is an expert. Sometimes experts get things wrong, whether it’s because they missed a clue, ignored a critical factor or let emotion sway them away from a logical conclusion.

Where do you need a second opinion in your job search? I know a good place to start…

Look in the Mirror

Sometimes the “expert” who needs to be challenged is YOU, reader.

• You might hold yourself back from applying for a job because you feel like you aren’t the perfect fit. But you have to stay in the lineup if you want to hit a home run.

• You may think you know why your applications have been rejected (my resume is awful, they don’t hire women, it’s because my address isn’t the same as the state where the job is, etc). But you rarely know what’s actually happening “behind the curtain”.

• You may think that you’re horrible at networking or that it will feel icky. But connecting in person and building community (in-person and online) is more important than ever for job seekers. And there’s a way to do it genuinely.

• You may not be active on LinkedIn because your profile isn’t perfect. Or you may not have an “open to work” banner because you think it makes you look desperate. But reminding others that you’re still interested in a particular industry or looking for your next opportunity helps them support you.

If you’re seeing yourself in some of the above examples, you may need a second opinion. The second opinion could come from within (see my newsletter about the power of talking to yourself in third person) or from an external expert.

Getting Started

• Share how you’re feeling and what you’re doing in your job search with someone else. This could be a career coach, a mentor, a colleague or even a family member/friend. Ask them to listen for assumptions that you might be making and gently challenge them. Together, you can brainstorm who you could reach out to see if your assumptions are correct.

• Seek out trustworthy resources to gather more information. The people who are the loudest and most confident on social media aren’t always the most knowledgeable. Look for people who speak in a nuanced voice. If they’re promising something that seems impossible, there’s a good chance it may not be realistic.

When I went in for my second opinion, I was worried about angering my initial doctor or hurting their feelings. But my physical therapist reminded me, the goal everyone should be working towards is for me to be physically healthy.

When it comes to your job search, finding the right next step for you (and the positive mental health benefits that will come from that) should be the top priority. You deserve a job that aligns with your values and meets the needs of this season of your life. Find the expert advice that will get you there.

Resource Roundup

Here’s a variety of types of resources that may be helpful to you.

• I look for second opinions regarding my business from my personal business coach, Jenni Gritters. Working with a coach in an intensive program can be a game-changer for your career direction. Jenni is a practical, strategic coach who lights a fire of momentum in every person she works with (and that includes me). She’s offering an 8-week intensive program coming up, which I highly recommend! If the next step in your career involves solopreneurship or small business ownership (or if you know someone who falls in that category), learn more about the CREATE program which kicks off soon.

• Bots pretending to be recruiters on LinkedIn are a major problem. Here's my LinkedIn post on how to spot them and what you can do to fight back and protect others.

• Looking for folks to follow on LinkedIn who regularly post job opportunities? Check out the list at the bottom of my newsletters from November 29, 2024 to January 16, 2025.

• Melanie Ehrenkranz runs a free newsletter called Laid Off which has become a thriving community with over 11,000 subscribers. She refers to it as “the coolest place on the internet to talk about being laid off.”

• Struggling after being laid off? Listen to the podcast, Proxy with Yowei Shaw. Yowei is the former host of the NPR podcast Invisibilia but was laid off in 2023. She started Proxy as a way of trying to understand why she felt so terrible. She began this new podcast with “The Layoff Trilogy”. This series does an amazing job of combining research and storytelling as it address a devastating situation with compassion and generous helpings of humor. This is a must-listen resource if you’ve been laid off or if someone you care about has been.

Hi! I’m Sara Kobilka, owner of Renaissance Woman Consulting.

I am a Renaissance Woman (what’s THAT? Good question! Here’s my answer). My wide-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordinator, curriculum designer, and now, business owner. During each leg of this journey, I gained new skills that I was able take with me in my next step. Now, I work remotely with clients to help them confidently tell their story and navigate the transition to the next leg of their career journey.

Take the Next Step

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I actively cross-pollinate impactful ideas across industries and disciplines (and regularly share job opportunities I come across)

• Check out my one-on-one career coaching program or join a cohort of job seekers for small group coaching

• Sign up for my workshop Building Community with LinkedIn

• Participate in one of my LinkedIn Sprints (August is for educators, both formal and informal.)

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