Liminal is from the Latin word ‘limen’, which means threshold. A liminal space is the time in between what existed before and what is yet to come.

This transition time offers tremendous opportunity for expansion and growth. But it can often be deeply uncomfortable. ?

Life offers a constant flow of liminal spaces: natural rites of passages, methodically planned and intentional life changes, and unexpected curveballs. A career move can be any of these things.

As we head into the New Year, many professionals in this community will find themselves navigating liminal space. In my experience, the high emotions that accompany this time spare no one, regardless of how much success, wisdom, agency or financial security one enters with.

I can hear you wondering "why is an executive recruiter playing armchair psychologist?"

Fair enough. It's because I love combining my academic background (Wellness) with my recruiting work. And I see an opportunity to be of service here.

I am literally writing from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshires, a place where people come to unplug, rest and recharge. Some experience life changing transformations here. We are not supposed to be thinking about work!

And…wherever you go, there you are.

Earlier this week, I attended a workshop on liminal space. One metaphor that stood out was trapeze, specifically the time in between letting go and catching hold. ?

The familiarity of this metaphor (along with an inbox filling up with folks “open to hearing about things” in Q1) inspired me write this since I spend much of my time working with professionals in this liminal space, often from the early ambivalence phase. ?

AMA #13: How Do I Know It's Time to Move On?

This AMA aims to acknowledge the experience of a career move and offer some tools to better navigate the trickier parts. ?

There are nuances to liminal space during different phases and circumstances of an interview process:

Currently employed:

It is logistically and emotionally challenging to explore a new role while balancing a demanding job and personal commitments. Creating time for prep work, interviews and follow ups is advanced calendar Tetris.

Along with excitement, one can often feel conflicted, disloyal and concerned about confidentiality. Whether you're actively looking or just responding to opportunities, you're likely dedicating a significant amount of time and energy to multiple situations, with the ability to influence, but not ultimately dictate the outcome.

While there are good reasons for senior level interview processes to take significant time, they often do take far longer than expected.

Unemployed:

That word itself is likely confronting.

Liminal space can be especially jarring in the case of an unexpected layoff or a shift in firm or market dynamics that impact one’s job stability.

Feeling a lack of agency, financial concerns and uncertainty about what lies ahead are all common and understandable reactions. It’s disorienting, especially for professionals used to a high degree of structure and control.

Ideally, one wouldn’t be caught entirely flat footed and has prepared for this potential scenario behind the scenes, but this only lessens the impact.

Employed & Unemployed:

One surprising liminal space happens at the end of the interview process, specifically the time between signing an offer letter and waiting for reference and background checks to clear.

One expects to find relief at the finish line. More often than not, candidates are caught by surprise with how long this stage takes (weeks).

One foot is out the door and the other only tentatively planted in the new role. Meanwhile, you’re operating full throttle serving clients and colleagues as if a massive transition wasn’t about to happen.

Operating in this incongruence is often a surprising and deeply unsettling experience.

Depending on your job search phase, the following strategies may lend support:

Tactical:

• Avoid being caught flat footed. AMA #3: Engaging With Recruiters as a Key Element of Career Management
• Spend time preparing for a successful resignation while awaiting final signoffs. AMA #10: How to Be a "Good Leaver"
• Stay focused on doing an exceptional job in your current role. This also positions you to leave on a high note (and not get pulled into an office for a difficult conversation pre-maturely!) AMA #14: How to Differentiate
• Spend time with mentors and others who have proven supportive throughout your career.

Personal:

• Surrender to and accept the current reality.
• Mindfulness practices. Yes, I appreciate you’ve heard this a thousand times from many sources. The reason is because mindfulness is a legitimate superpower. I promise to stop repeating it when you show me the downloaded meditation app and time block on your calendar!
• Stay positive: especially in the case of an unexpected layoff. Spend those first few weeks clearing your head, volunteering and immersing yourself in something intensely physical (hire a personal trainer, chop wood, hike, ski, build something, throw axes….) Don’t call executive recruiters or industry colleagues to vent!
• Self-reflection: this is a really good time to hire an executive coach. I am personally focusing on search projects, but please hit me up for coaching referrals!
• Extreme self-care: take really, really good care of yourself during this time. This includes taking a very honest look at distractions and what isn’t serving the situation. Course correct immediately. Not tomorrow.
• Get curious and excited. Please know you’re (most likely) going to emerge from this in a better place, with stronger resilience, an expanded network of connections and the potential to have a great impact in your new role.

“Because here’s something that’s weird but true: we don’t actually know what a positive or negative experience is. Some of the most difficult and stressful moments of our lives also end up being the most formative and motivating. Some of the best and most gratifying experiences of our lives are also the most distracting and demotivating. Don’t trust your conception of positive/negative experiences.”

~ Mark Manson,?The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

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About Willow Hill Advisors

Laurie Thompson founded Willow Hill in 2019. A seasoned executive recruiter, Laurie most recently spent 16 years in the financial services practice of Heidrick & Struggles where she served the investment management community as a thought leader and specialist in senior level business development and investor relations recruiting. She continues this work today, predominantly focused on senior level hires for top-tier alternative investment managers.

Willow Hill is exclusively a retained firm and executes only a select number of mandates at a time, ensuring hiring firms receive the highest level of focus and attention. Through deep market knowledge, long term relationships and established trust, Willow Hill provides unconstrained access to top caliber talent.

[email protected]

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Author’s note:

Additional AMAs and reports can be found here: Ask Me Anything Series - Laurie Thompson

From vetting talent, taking on a leadership role, differentiating your marketing efforts, dealing with headhunters, orchestrating a graceful exit, considering a counteroffer, mending professional relationships and headhunter-proofing your team, I've got you covered.

As always, feedback, questions and topic suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Wishing you an amazing start to 2025!

~ Laurie