The Anatomy of a Career Change: Part 1

When clients come to me considering a career change, I split up the challenge into two major parts:

Part 1: Choose Your Target

Part 2: Make It Happen

Some clients come to me already set on a new career path, so we jump right into the “Make It Happen” phase. This involves due diligence on their choice, identifying transferable skills, and tackling the job search. Any job search involving a career change or pivot introduces a few extra challenges. We’ll craft a job search strategy that best leverages your unique background and effectively communicates your new career narrative to potential employers.

Most clients come to me knowing they want to do something different, but they don’t yet know what. They might have a few vague ideas, but they need help figuring out what career path could be both fulfilling and viable. They’re feeling lost or stuck and are looking for clarity, support, and a process.?

So, I provide them with clarity, support, and a process.

Here’s how I structure the “Choose Your Target” phase of any career change:

1. Brainstorm Possibilities

The first step is to come up with possibilities. This stage involves discovering your interests, passions, and skills to identify potential career directions.

This is where we let our imaginations run wild. No idea is off-limits, no matter how whimsical or far-fetched. Dream big without worrying about the feasibility. Capture any career possibility that excites you and sparks joy.

I created a workbook called SHINE, which contains five exercises designed to help my clients brainstorm their options:

Style: Assess your working style and tendencies.

History: Reflect on how you made previous career and life choices.

Interests: Identify skills and activities you enjoy.

Needs: Clarify your work preferences and requirements.

Essence: Understand who you are and what drives you.

These exercises include self-assessments, journaling, and gathering perspectives from those close to you, professionally or personally. Each activity provides hints and breadcrumbs that lead toward career possibilities worth considering.

2. Explore Options

With a list of anywhere from 20 to 100 potential career paths, it’s time to dig deeper. This stage involves researching each option to understand what pursuing that career would entail.

For each possibility, consider the following:

• Do you have enough information to visualize yourself in the role? What would the day-to-day look like?
• How does it feel to introduce yourself as someone in that role? Imagine saying, “I’m a ____.”?
• Does this role align with your previously identified needs and wants?
• What would it take to pursue this path? Consider further education, certifications, or training.

To make an informed decision, you need to fill in these gaps with data. I guide my clients through this research, using various methods such as online searches, job boards, “day in the life” content on social media, free online training, and informational interviews with professionals in the field.

3. Make a Decision

After thorough exploration, it’s time to make a decision. Evaluate your options and choose the career path that best aligns with your goals and circumstances.

Start by examining your core requirements: salary expectations, location, work-life balance, remote/hybrid/on-site preferences, flexibility, and the other critical factors that matter most to you. As you narrow down the viable options, reflect on what excites you about each path. Before you cross something off the list, consider related roles that might check all of your boxes instead.

Depending on the remaining options, we’ll use various decision-making tools:

• Pros and cons list: Ideal for deciding between two paths.
• Decision matrix: Useful for plotting jobs against two key factors that are important to you.
• Risk assessment: If you’re concerned about taking the leap or the potential impact of the change.
• Pairwise comparison: To narrow down the best options from a larger group.
• Gut check: Sometimes, you just need to do what feels right.

4. Identify Your Next Steps

Once you’ve chosen a path, we create a plan for pursuing it. Depending on your choice and current circumstances, it may or may not be the right time for you to Make It Happen, so our plan will take that into account.

Focus on where you are now and the gaps between you and your target career. What skills or qualifications do you need to get your foot in the door? Will you need to take a “stepping stone” role to reach your target?

If the path requires a degree or certification, plan how you will obtain it. Will you stay in your current role, seek temporary work, or study full-time?

Sometimes, through this exploration, clients realize they’re already on the right path or need only a slight pivot. Your next step might involve talking to your boss, seeking a different position within your current company, or changing jobs with a minor twist on the role or industry.

Some clients simply wanted to know what’s next for them, but they’re waiting for a specific personal or professional milestone to take action. Your immediate plan of action might be to wait, but your action plan will be waiting for you when you’re ready.

Moving Forward

After completing Part 1, some clients are ready to jump right into the “Make It Happen” phase.?

Some feel sufficiently well-equipped to kick off their job search on their own. Others may stay where they are and address the challenges in their current role with ongoing coaching support. Instead of seeking a new career path, we work on improving their current situation to become the path they want.

When we begin Part 1: Choose Your Target, it’s hard to predict when you’ll be ready for Part 2: Make It Happen. It can often depend on the path you’ve chosen. In my coaching practice, I break down the process into two separate programs, with no obligation or expectation to move forward with both. I want my clients to do what’s right for them, when it’s right for them, which is precisely why I broke this apart into two separate coaching programs.?

Changing careers can feel overwhelming, and it often requires careful planning and execution. But it doesn’t need to be scary or confusing. I’m here to support you through every step, helping you find clarity as you navigate the process.

Want to learn more about my Career Change programs? Let’s chat. ??

Schedule a free consultation with me to discover how I can help: https://calendly.com/kiminys/career-change-consultation