What are the biggest career transition challenges for your clients?

Interestingly, I find that clients who suffer under the weight of confusion around next steps for their career seem to be overly anchored to their linear career progression and past set of experiences. Most people by nature are fairly risk averse and so taking the time to really take inventory in the fullness of their knowledge skills and abilities, married to the exploration of their purpose and gifts is, in my opinion, a worthwhile exercise. The latter, purpose and gifts, can be informed by the former, and often lead to a greater bounty of possibilities to choose from versus focusing so heavily on what you have done as a guide to determine what you will do next.

A good way to overcome this is the reflect how you were able to manage transitions in the past. How did you master that challenge in the first 100 days of your new job. What were your soft skills you used. What strengths does your colleagues, employees, managers see in you. What additional strengths do you have.

When things change at work, it can make people feel uncomfortable or worried. This is because we are creatures of habit and like things to stay the same. As a business coach, it's important to understand that your clients may be feeling this way. You can help by acknowledging their concerns, like if they're sad about leaving their old team or office. Encourage them to face these feelings and not ignore them. There are tools like SWOT analysis that can help them make good decisions about what to do next. If your clients can learn to handle changes in a positive way, they will be better prepared for future changes too.

Being able to articulate your journey is about more than just a polished elevator pitch; it’s your weapon in bridging that skill gap. Why? Because telling your story puts you in the driver’s seat. It lets you highlight the skills you’ve gained, but also your RESILIENCE, ADAPTABILITY, and PASSION—the soft skills that your CV doesn’t show. This adds a layer of depth, making you far more relatable and memorable to others. How to tell your career story in three steps: 1. Self-Reflection & Outline: Identify key moments and create a logical story arc. 2. Skill Highlight & Language: Emphasize relevant skills and use audience-appropriate language. 3. Practice & Adapt: Use improv for practice and update the story as needed.

One reason why many people don't transition careers is due to the "trap of late realization." When discussing notice periods with employers, the resigning person suddenly becomes important. And the employers start matching the offer or worse give a promise that in the next cycle, they will match it and many fall into this trap because they choose the trap of comfort (current employer) rather than fear of the unknown (new organization). If you have made the decision to leave, it is important that you follow through and depart from your current position. Your manager and organization will view this as a definitive action, indicating that you are detached from your role and that the relationship may have soured. So choose your mental peace

One significant challenge in career transitions is helping individuals realize the transferability of their skills across different fields or industries. Many clients tend to think their expertise is limited to their current industry, which can lead to self-doubt during transitions. As a coach: Mindset Shift: Guide clients in shifting their mindset towards the versatility of their skills. Transferable Skills: Highlight specific transferable skills and provide real-world examples of professionals successfully pivoting careers using these skills. By addressing this mindset challenge, you empower clients to embrace career transitions with confidence, understanding that their skills are valuable in various settings.