Career Changes: Setbacks, Big Decisions & Getting It Right

The leap from military to civilian life is so much more than just finding a new job – it's about redesigning your entire life. And let's be honest, that's both exciting and terrifying.

We sat down with Laura Allen , a career coach who's helped countless veterans navigate this transition, to get her practical advice on how to match your personality, lifestyle and interests with the right career for you.?

Roll up your sleeves, and get stuck in.??

(Key takeaways and a practical exercise at the bottom)?

[A] Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to help veterans navigate their transition?

[L] "My background is actually in corporate HR, I spent eight years working in a FTSE 100 company. I climbed the ladder, and was a project manager for a while, before stepping into the Head of Shared Services role.?

I went through a situation when I was around 28 when my mum passed away. It was eye-opening and made me realise I was so unhappy in my career and I wasn’t enjoying myself and I didn’t want to waste any more of my precious life not seeing what else I was capable of.? It sent me on a path to discover what the next thing was for me, so I took some time out before eventually finding coaching. My interest in helping people with career changes brought me to the military community, where I started to realise that the resettlement process was going wrong for so many people.. Because of my experience as a civilian, as a career coach and an HR leader, I? could see an opportunity to help people make the transition smoother, and here I am!?

Resettlement: The Decision Stage

[A] From your experience, what’s the main thing holding service members back from taking the leap?

[L] "It's the fear of the unknown. In the military, you know your career path, and you understand what you're working towards to move up the ranks. Now, you might have a bit of an idea about leaving the military and becoming ‘something’ in a civilian career, but you don’t really know what it looks like, the prospects, the security, the earning potential.??

So many people stay in toxic jobs because it's safer to stay where you are that's familiar than it is to try something unknown, it’s what our brains are wired to do. You haven't got to look far on LinkedIn to see people talking about redundancies or people with their 'open to work' banners. It’s only natural that a service leaver is going to think: If I leave here and go start a job, what if it goes wrong and I'm unemployed??

[A] Ok and If someone’s on the fence and thinking about leaving, what are the signs that they’re ready to go?

[L] "Becoming apathetic towards the work that you're doing, and you have that feeling of disengagement. It could be that the colleague you usually tolerate suddenly starts to grate on you, even if they’re a bit difficult to work with. Your patience wears thin, and you catch yourself thinking, Why am I even doing this?

Being in tune with your body can also show you; sleepless nights, stress, and anxiety, these can be the more severe side effects. And then there’s that lingering thought: Is this it? Is there something more I could be doing?

Some people naturally reach the end of their service career and move on. But others are still in, thinking, 'I don't think this is it for me anymore. I feel like there's more out there for me to explore.'?

Those feelings are key to go and explore as they are real telltale signs that you're not in the right place.’

[A] What about the fear of failure? The civilian hiring process is notoriously challenging, and it’s common to get a lot of rejections.?

[L] "You can't take it personally because when you are applying for a position you are one candidate in a pool of goodness knows how many candidates. An organisation will be looking for a couple of key things, and if you don't make the cut, that really does not mean that you are not good enough or there is anything wrong with you, it's just that you didn't quite fit that role or that requirement.

I know it’s tough, but every “no” brings you one step closer to a “yes.” If you can adopt the mindset that what’s meant to be will be, you’ll keep pushing forward, applying, learning, and eventually landing the right role.

Ask for feedback, it’s one practical step you can take. Civilian companies aren’t always great at giving it, but they should be. A good candidate experience includes constructive feedback.

Stay humble. Even the best get rejected. Sometimes, it comes down to two equally strong candidates, and someone has to hear “no.” Keep going, your “yes” is coming.

As subjective, and frustrating as it is, sometimes an interview doesn’t go your way simply because the interviewer is having a bad day. It’s unfair, but don’t let it knock you down. Know your worth. If one opportunity doesn’t work out, just think: 'Okay, you didn't want me. That's fine. I'll go give what I've got to somebody else because they deserve to have it.'"

Making Life-Aligned Decisions

[A] So how do you help people figure out what actually matters to them?

[L] "I created a process called Career Design. Many people go wrong by seeking fulfilment solely from their careers. But you work an average of 35 hours a week, what about the rest of your time? When you factor in sleep and everything else, you spend more time outside of work than in it. The most fulfilled people take a holistic view of their lives.

I advise a three-tiered approach. First, think about your lifestyle, workstyle and purpose. When leaving the armed forces, what kind of life do you want? Are you active? Do you love to travel? How do you spend your time? Do you have a family, and is that a priority? At the end of the week, do you want to feel fulfilled in all areas of life? What is your preferred work style? Do you thrive in an office, prefer hands-on work outdoors, want to travel as a digital nomad, or prefer a hybrid setup?

The next level is your Non non-negotiables. What are the core things you need every week to be happy. This could be going to your evening gym class, being free of an evening to eat dinner with the kids or being able to get out at lunch to walk the dog.?

The final level is the career itself. Once you know the answer to the first two layers, it’s easier to pick a career to fit the life you want.?

As part of the process you can also do the BE, DO, HAVE exercise:?

Ask, ‘Who do I want to be?’

• Lifestyle: Happy, healthy, active, committed to family?
• Professional self: Helpful, a leader, problem solver?
• Impact: What is your purpose? What motivates you?

Then, ‘What do I want to do?’ Think about your non-negotiables—the rules you won’t break for your happiness and growth.

Finally, ‘What do I want to have?’ What type of career will allow you to do what you want and be who you want to be? I break this down into different types:

• The Corporate Climber: Someone keen to get into corporate roles, climb the ladder, and move into leadership positions
• The Entrepreneur: Someone who wants to start their own business
• The Agriculturalist: Someone drawn to environmental work, animals, and similar fields
• The Master of Trade: Someone who wants a specific trade like carpentry or plumbing
• The Supporter: Someone who works directly with others in supporting, caring, and training roles
• The Independent: A solo worker who wants minimal interaction, maybe running an e-commerce business

The idea is to reflect on which aspect aligns most with your values if you were to give your all to something. Your non-negotiables are key, they’re the rules that make you happy. If CrossFit is a priority, you need a job that lets you attend that 6 p.m. class. If the school run matters, that's non-negotiable. If you want to work in the Middle East, that’s another.

The shift here is that, unlike in the armed forces, where your career drives your life, you should decide what you want your life to look like and find a career that enables it.

Remember, you’ll never love 100% of your job. Aim for 70% enjoyment and accept the rest, it’s part of the job.

[A] What's the biggest mistake you see people make when planning their next move?

[L] "Not doing enough self-discovery upfront. Take time to recognise who you are beyond the uniform. After spending years in an institution that told you who you are and what to do every day, this is essential.

Another mistake is just following what others advise, always ask yourself: is this going to help me live the life I want??

[A] Very sensible, Final question then, what's your one piece of advice for someone thinking about leaving?

[L] "Always ask yourself, "What else?" What else is out there for me? What else am I not considering? What else can I gain from this? What else would I like to do? What else am I capable of?

With a fixed mindset, you believe your abilities are set and unchangeable. With a growth mindset, you're always seeking ways to adapt, evolve, and view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than setbacks."

Key Takeaways:

1. Don’t Skip Self-Discovery - It’s essential to reflect on who you are beyond the uniform. Take the time to understand your values, lifestyle priorities, and what truly matters to you.
2. Embrace the Unknown - Leaving the military can be daunting, but it’s a chance to grow. Be open to exploring new opportunities and trust the process.
3. Recognise When It's Time to Move On - If you’re feeling disengaged or stressed about your work, it could be a sign that it’s time for a change. Pay attention to these feelings and explore what’s next.
4. Rejections Aren’t Personal - Job rejections are part of the journey. Keep learning, ask for feedback, and stay focused on finding the right fit for you.
5. Design a Career That Fits Your Life - Choose a career that aligns with your personal priorities. Know your non-negotiables and seek a role that allows you to maintain your work-life balance.

Ready to start mapping out your next move? Try our career-switching platform – it's free, it's smart, and it might just show you possibilities you hadn't considered. Click here.