How to Make a Successful Career Change
Career change (or career transition) can be tough. Particularly if it’s forced through a lay-off or firing. It can feel scary and overwhelming to start over. You may be full of self-doubt. But if you allow yourself to feel excitement and expansion at this new opportunity, the job you’ve always dreamed may just be possible. Now is a very good time to shift careers as employers are struggling to find talented employees and are willing to pay more than market rate and signing bonuses to get them.
Think of this as an opportunity rather than a failure. What if a lay-off was the only way the universe could have opened this new door for you? This is a second chance for you, one that you might not have explored if it weren’t for the lay-off. That’s what happened to me.
I worked in marketing and advertising for the better part of two decades. It was familiar, I was good at it, I was climbing the appropriate ladders and carving out a place for myself. But I had fallen into that work on accident. I wanted to make movies but promoted them instead. Then that led to making commercials which led to advertising and I stayed, even though it pushed me into burn-out, because I was good at it. And at times, it was a lot of fun. But it wasn’t the purposeful, impactful and joyful career that was going to take me all the way through to retirement. I just couldn’t imagine what that would be, I was too tired to think about it.
So when I was laid off in 2020 because of Covid, a new path opened up to me that I couldn’t see when I was stuck in burn-out. A career where I could use my marketing tools to help others build themselves up. I could use my management skills to coach people into finding careers that didn’t cause them pain. I could use my operational and company growing skills to help entrepreneurs create revenue and impact.
I never would have left that job on my own. I would have stayed in my comfort zone and never known my work could have purpose, impact, more income and more time with family and for self-care. The lay-off was a true blessing because it created the momentum to get me here.
Shift your mindset from doubt to excitement. Why are you feeling doubt about a new career? Where does it come from? Why are you still holding onto that story? How has it served you? Why do you need to let go of it now?
Stop clicking the apply button on LinkedIn. It’s very rare that you are going to find your dream opportunity through an unsolicited application. This is just busy work that makes you feel productive. Instead, work on figuring out the job that will give you energy and longevity, not just immediate cash. I guarantee there’s more money in finding a job where you will thrive than going for the quick fix.
Listen to your inner voice. Somewhere inside of you a voice has been telling you which way to go but you’ve been ignoring it. Why? Does that dream job feel unrealistic? Why? Explore all of your talents and skills and interests, write down all of your soft skills, figure out what really inspires you and gives you energy. The ideal scenario is to combine skill and passion with something that people truly need.
Make a list of people to contact. Yes you also have to update your resume, but get away from the idea that applying for jobs is how you land one. Send emails to people instead. Set up a Zoom chat or a coffee. Tell people, everyone, what you are looking for next so that they can spread the word. Start writing LI posts that give people a sense for who you are, what you stand for and what you hope to accomplish in your career.
Keep going. Results and opportunities may not roll in within the hour so figure out a way to keep going. Find a mantra that helps you believe that you deserve a good job, that you deserve to have passion and energy in your work and that you will find it.
And if you need extra support, sign up for coaching. Coaching gives you support, clarity and a concrete path with tasks and assignments that will land you a job that gives you joy.
Jaime Gennaro is a certified business coach with decades of experience working with and growing start-ups. She’s always been committed to finding creative ways to make money, either by starting businesses or landing interesting roles that helped her pursue her passions. Book a consult call to learn more about her coaching programs here.
