Career transitions can be transformative milestones, shaping not just our professional paths but also our sense of purpose and fulfillment. However, whether you’re changing industries, seeking a new role, or embarking on a different career journey entirely, the process is rarely straightforward.
Through my own experience and my interactions with students and leaders navigating their own transitions, I’ve identified recurring themes and strategies that pinpoint what it takes to transition successfully.
How to Know When It’s Time for a Career Change
For many, the first step in career transition starts with recognizing the need for change. Here are some clear signals that a career shift might be necessary:
- Inner Dissatisfaction: One professional described it vividly: “I dreaded Mondays. It wasn’t just burnout; I felt stuck in a loop that no longer inspired me.”
- External Shifts: Industries evolve, and job roles can become obsolete. For example, the tools you use daily can be replaced by automation, so it might be time to re-skill or risk irrelevance.
- Changing Values: Another individual shared, “My priorities shifted after a major life event. My current job no longer aligned with the life I envisioned.”
Recognizing these signals is crucial. They often highlight the need to align your career with your current skills and passions, and market demands.
6 Common Mistakes People Make During a Career Change
Once you’ve decided it’s time for a change, it’s important to prepare yourself: transitions, while exciting, come with their own set of challenges. Over the years, I’ve observed six common pitfalls:
- Lack of Self-Awareness: A coachee once shared, “I jumped into a new role thinking it was what I wanted, only to realize it didn’t align with my strengths.” Understanding your unique value proposition—what you’re good at and what motivates you—is critical. Tools like the Ikigai framework can help; The Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the terms “iki” (meaning “alive” or “life”) and “gai” (meaning “benefit” or “worth”). It represents the essence of what brings worth, meaning, and purpose to your life. The Ikigai is at the intersection of what you’re good at, what you love, what the world needs (in other words, solutions or services for which there is a market), and what you can be paid for. It is essential to do this work on yourself to ensure that the change can provide you with a fulfilling and reasonably lucrative career.
- No Clear Vision: Without a clear picture of success, you risk moving aimlessly. It is important to define a list of career criteria, such as flexibility, size of company, nature of work, and type of culture, so you can have a targeted search, filter opportunities, and avoid disappointment.
- Underestimating the Learning Curve: Another transitioning leader noted, “The pace in my new field was exhilarating but overwhelming. I had to embrace being a novice again.” Learning new skills is essential.
- Networking Neglect: “I assumed applying online was enough,” one interviewee admitted. “It wasn’t until I reached out to existing connections and built new connections that opportunities started opening up.” Your network is a powerful resource—expand it and use it.
- Fear of Rejection: Career transitions often involve setbacks and require strengthening your resilience muscle. Look at rejections as an opportunity to learn, to change your approach, and to find a better fit.
- Going It Alone: Seeking guidance from mentors, experts, and coaches provides invaluable perspective. One mentee shared, “Having someone challenge my assumptions and hold me accountable made all the difference.” Building a support system in this transitional period is critical. Surround yourself with trusted partners.
Real-Life Career Change Success Stories
In making career transitions, the most powerful learning often comes from others’ experiences. Here are some powerful lessons from individuals who successfully navigated their journeys:
- A Consultant’s Exploration: After a successful run in consulting, she pursued multiple internships in different sectors, from sports to sustainability. “I leveraged each opportunity to refine my career vision,” she said. The takeaway? “Diverse experiences helped me focus on where I could make the most impact.” Think of internships, short-term assignments, or part-time jobs as a way to experiment if you are unsure of your new direction.
- A Public Relations Pivot: A communications specialist initially targeted consulting but didn’t get traction in that field. Instead, he transitioned into digital strategy for a start-up. Ultimately, he found fulfilment in that company that had built a product he loved and a culture aligned with his values. “Pivoting was liberating,” he shared. “Rejection from one path led me to a better fit.”
- A Corporate Leader’s Mission: Leaving a high-level corporate role, another professional entered the social impact space. “I wanted to contribute to systemic change,” she explained. Aligning personal values with career goals brought a renewed sense of purpose.
- A Finance Expert’s Journey: Transitioning from finance to consumer goods, this individual highlighted the power of networking. “An internship came through a personal connection. It reminded me that relationships are as valuable as qualifications.”
- My pivot from CEO of NBCUniversal Networks to a portfolio career as an independent board member: I had to build a new network, go back to business school, learn from many rejections to change my scope and approach, and be tenacious.
Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating a Career Transition
So, how can you ensure your career transition is a success? Here’s a roadmap based on both personal experience and client stories:
- Self-Assessment and Reflection: Start by evaluating your strengths, passions, and values. Use frameworks like Ikigai or other exercises from trusted advisors. A few of my coachees shared, “Choosing meaningful images and career criteria during a workshop helped me articulate my vision.”
- Research and Experimentation: Explore industries and roles that intrigue you. Take on short-term projects or internships. As one professional transitioning to sustainability said, “Volunteering helped me test my interest without committing fully.”
- Develop a Vision: Develop a clear vision of what success looks like, then map out your transition with milestones. Identify skill gaps and ways to address them. Once you have a better sense of what you are looking for, you could plan for training, certifications, and informational interviews. Erika Andersen’s book Being Strategic provides a brilliant framework to clarify your personal vision and strategy.
- Network Strategically: Attend industry events, join professional groups, and connect with alumni. One MBA graduate wisely commented, “Your immediate network might not have the answers, but their connections might.”
- Brand Building: Update your LinkedIn profile, resume, and elevator pitch to reflect your evolving goals. A client commented, “Once I was able to communicate both my goals and what I could offer, opportunities started coming my way.”
- Seek Support: Lean on mentors, peers, and coaches. Having a sounding board during your transition will be invaluable, especially when you face challenges.
Why a Growth Mindset Is Key to Career Change Success
Transitions are rarely linear. They require adaptability, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. As Erika Andersen’s book Be Bad First reminds us, it’s okay to be uncomfortable in new roles. One professional summarized it best: “I learned to be okay with being ‘bad’ initially. Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone.”
Ultimately, career transitions are not just about finding the next role—they are about aligning your work with who you are and who you’re becoming. By embracing the journey, learning from setbacks, and staying focused on your vision, you can navigate any career transition successfully.
