The Climb: Three Tips for a Successful Career Transition

Advancing your career can feel like climbing a mountain sometimes. Did you know that employees of all ages in the United States change jobs on average?every 4.2 years?

About six months ago I decided to take on a new role at my company to challenge myself and grow my career. It was at a time when the division I was joining was in a period of great transition. Even though I had been with the company for nearly 20 years, I felt like I was starting from scratch. New division, new people, and new ways of working. I suddenly found myself in unchartered territory. I went from a role where I knew everyone and everything to a role where I felt like I knew no one and nothing. I realized these feelings were common and decided to share what I’ve learned during this period of transition to help those that may also be planning to make the leap.

Here's what I’ve learned:

Imposter syndrome is real - Up to 82% of people face feelings of impostor phenomenon, struggling with the sense they haven’t earned what they’ve achieved and that they are underqualified for the position they are in. It’s easy to feel this way when starting a new job because people are asking questions that you don’t yet have the answers to. I felt this way until a good friend reminded me that I was put into this role not because I would have all the answers, but because I’m capable of figuring them out. Remember, it’s perfectly okay for you to ask questions as well. In fact, it should be expected. My friend’s point was that if you know all the answers, you’re no longer growing and learning. That’s when you become complacent and should make a move.

Give it time - A majority of experts say that the employee adjustment period ranges from three to six months. It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself. Getting to know a new team, new processes, and new routines takes time. My boss gave me a great bit of advice when I was feeling down one day. She recommended that I create a vision for myself of what success a year from now could look like and then write down the actual steps to get there. This helped me to focus on small achievements so that I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Don’t forget to celebrate those small successes!

Build and retain your network – You need to have friends, especially at times of transition. Whether it is simply to vent or ask advice, having a network you can depend on is critical. This means maintaining your close friendships outside of work but also forming close bonds with those you do work with. Having a work buddy can help you acclimate to your new role and give you the freedom to ask questions without judgement (see my recent post on work buddies). In fact, 97 percent of new hires who met with their buddy more than eight times in their first 90 days said they were more productive.

Now that I am more than 6 months into my new role, I can say that I’m starting to get into a groove and even having a bit of fun. Which leads me to my last point. Have fun! Enjoy the messiness, the mistakes, and the learning journey. Don’t give anyone the permission to make you feel inadequate. Remember that you’re amazing, worthy, and that you can do anything you put your mind to. If you decide your new role isn’t for you, you’re never stuck. You may just need to make another transition until you find the right fit. Our jobs do not define us. To quote the great author Toni Morrison, “you are not the work you do; you’re the person you are.”

I hope you've enjoyed this article and will share your thoughts in the comments.

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Note: This article is a personal perspective and not connected to my current employer.