If you are ready for a career transition, you need a map that will help you navigate where to begin and how to land your dream job. You don’t have to stay at a job that you dread, there is a career that is right for you—you just need a map that will show you how to get there.
Let’s get started.
What Is A Career Transition?
A career transition is the process of shifting from one job or career field to another, often driven by the need for personal growth, new challenges, or a change in interests and goals. This can involve changing industries, acquiring new skills, or moving into a different role that better aligns with your passions and values. It’s a strategic move to realign your professional life with your evolving career aspirations. Transitioning can be both exciting and daunting, as it requires self-reflection and planning to ensure the new path is fulfilling.
As we explore how to make a successful career transition, the next step is to find what drives you. Identifying what truly motivates you is crucial in finding a career that aligns with your passions and strengths.
1. Find the Right Career Path by Discovering What Drives You
The first step is finding what drives you—what gets you excited, and what sparks joy within you.
Remember the question that adults asked you all too often until you turned 18?
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Many of us never had the answer, some of us did, and many of us didn’t understand why we needed to find our career path at age eight. Can you recall the answer you gave when you were a kid—the answer that sparked joy and excitement?
If you didn’t that’s okay. It may just mean there wasn’t a name yet for the job you were meant to do. In the 90’s few people were saying:
“I want to be a life coach when I grow up.”
“I want to be an SEO expert.”
“I want to create YouTube videos.”
Because these things didn’t really exist yet. So, if you never had an answer, it’s likely that what you are meant to do just didn’t yet have a name. Maybe you eventually took a career path that wasn’t the best fit. And that’s okay. You gained experience and insight along the way that has led you to where you are today.
Rediscover Your Joy and Passion
We often lose our answers as we grow up. Sometimes we change and we no longer hold the same interests, but there is often a tried-and-true map of passions in our childhood that point us in the direction we are meant to go. Maybe you were always the one who enjoyed hosting parties, or were obsessed with reading, maybe you loved sports, or were often writing short stories, or loved baking. Whatever your passion was, you can find it again. Or you can find a new one you didn’t know you had.
By finding these passions, you will find again that joy-filled child. You were never obligated to be the boring adult working in a dead-end job. The opportunities are endless, and you can find a fulfilling career that will spark that joy-filled child within you again.
2. Take Time Outside of Your Job to Self-Evaluate
When you aren’t finding contentment in your everyday routine, it’s time to stop and self-evaluate so that you can rediscover who you are today. Take out a notebook and ask yourself the following questions:
- What are your strengths? What makes you unique? What comes to you naturally?
- Which skills are you consistently good at, energized by, and enjoy using most?
- What are your favorite interests? Where do you like to spend a lot of your time? What subjects do you have a lot of expertise in and enthusiasm for?
- What do you value in a position? What motivates you to work hard?
- Which physical environments do you thrive in? Which environments enable you to do your most effective work?
When you get clear on who you are, you will find clarity in what you are meant to do. You don’t have to have all the answers, but knowing yourself is a great step toward discovering the career that is right for you.
3. Get Curious and Job Search as Your Future Self
You can always, at any time, recalibrate your career path to where you want to go—no matter your age.
If you don’t know where to start, begin by getting curious. Gain clarity on your next career steps by looking at an industry that makes you feel energized and excited.
Look at the job market and find a position you would like to apply for. Find the requirements under the job description and make a list of what skills you need to build in order to apply for that job. See if you can create an action plan that will help you build the skills and gain the experience needed to enter that field. A little bit of experience and learning goes a long way.
4. Do Job Industry Research and Acquire New Skills
We live in an age where opportunities are endless. There are countless courses, diplomas, and tutorials that can help you transition into a career you love. You don’t always need another four-year degree for a career change. Acquire new skills by enrolling in continuing education courses or free online skill trainings.
Sometimes you just need to try a few things out to know what’s right for you. If you currently work in a manual labor job, hoping for something less tiring, you may discover that sitting at a desk for 8 hours looking at a computer screen is not for you. You will only know once you try a few things out, and taking a few courses will help you see if a new industry may be a good fit.
To get started, here are a few resources that offer free courses to build your skillsets.
If you feel excited about any of the courses you enroll in and find enjoyment in the learning process—that’s an excellent sign that you are heading in the right direction.
5. Start Networking: Connect with People Who Can Point You in the Right Direction
Find people who do the kind of work you want to be doing and who are excited to talk about the topics you’re interested in. Connect with them, start a conversation, and ask them for a “virtual coffee date.” Seek advice, ask questions, and stay on top of industry news.
LinkedIn is a great place to reach out to connections in another industry. Many people would be happy to set up an informal meeting to guide you toward your next steps. You’ll not only receive great advice, you’ll also build meaningful connections that could open potential doors in the future. Read more about how to land a job through networking.
One of the best things you can do at this stage is to hire a career coach. They can help you find the clarity and direction you need to help you find the right career for you.
Finding Direction in Your Career Transition with Strategic Support
Navigating a career transition can be challenging, but the right guidance can make all the difference. One of the most effective ways to gain clarity and direction during this process is to work with a career coach. A career coach offers personalized support, helping you to identify your strengths, values, and goals.
They assist in crafting a clear career strategy, setting achievable goals, and developing a plan tailored to your unique needs. With their expertise, you can gain valuable insights, overcome obstacles, and make informed decisions, ensuring that your career transition leads you to a fulfilling and successful new path.
How long does a career transition take?
The duration of a career transition varies widely depending on individual circumstances. On average, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. Factors influencing the timeline include the complexity of the transition, the level of clarity about new career goals, the amount of networking and job searching required, and personal or financial circumstances. It's important to approach the transition with patience and persistence, as securing the right opportunity often takes time and effort.
FAQs about career transition
How long does a career transition take?
The duration of a career transition varies widely depending on individual circumstances. On average, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. Factors influencing the timeline include the complexity of the transition, the level of clarity about new career goals, the amount of networking and job searching required, and personal or financial circumstances. It's important to approach the transition with patience and persistence, as securing the right opportunity often takes time and effort.
What are the stages of transition in a career?
A typical career transition involves several key stages:
- Self-Assessment: Identifying your skills, interests, and values to determine what you want in your next career.
- Exploration: Researching potential career paths and opportunities that align with your self-assessment.
- Preparation: Updating your resume, building your personal brand, and preparing for job applications and interviews.
- Action: Actively applying for jobs, networking, and seeking opportunities in your desired field.
- Adjustment: Navigating the new role and adapting to changes, including learning new skills and integrating into a new work environment.
Each stage requires careful planning and execution to ensure a successful transition.
About the author
I’m Theresa White, a Career Clarity Coach, Job Search Strategist, and President of Career Bloom. With a background in Recruiting, Human Resources, and Management
After struggling with career uncertainty and the fear of starting over, I finally discovered my true calling and found a job that makes me excited to wake up every day. This clarity transformed my career and filled me with joy, knowing I’m doing work that truly matters. How did I achieve this? By gaining crystal-clear insight into my purpose. It’s easier than you might think, and I’m passionate about guiding my clients through this discovery process to help them find their ideal career.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.
Conclusion: Create a Job Transition Map
By rediscovering your passions, doing a self-evaluation, getting curious, setting aside time to acquire new skills, and taking time to network, you can create an action plan that will help you transition out of the job you dread, and into a career you love.
Resources
- 4 Steps to building your personal brand story for a successful career change
- How to actually land a job through networking
- 5 Ways to Land A Job Faster With a Focused Job Search
- Find the skills that energize and motivate you. The ones that make you say, "I want to do this every day!"
- Find the 3 steps to successfully change your career
- Secrets to Career Happiness
👉 Ready for career clarity in record time? Request a free consultation with me today.
