Although no job transition strategy works equally well for everyone, the steps below will help most people navigate smoothly through a significant career change.
Assess Current Status and Desired Outcome
Anyone transitioning to a new job needs to start by taking time to reflect where they are now professionally. What do they love to do? What are their most significant professional accomplishments? What did they enjoy most in their previous jobs? What roles do they naturally assume around others? Are they a teacher, motivator, leader, nurturer or creator?
Once the current status has been assessed, the next step is to decide where they want to go from here. It is important to think both long- and short-term when setting goals and assigning a timeframe for each of them. Goals and deadlines should be used to keep oneself motivated and on track, not to punish oneself.
Create a Vision for the Future
People who achieve their dreams have a compelling vision of their future. They make their vision powerful, challenging, yet achievable. They make it bigger than themselves, and allow it to make them feel that they are contributing significantly to their profession, that they are fulfilling their life’s purpose.
Deciding what they want to be known for is key. By zeroing in on what matters to them most, and where they want to have the greatest impact, they give themselves a good frame of reference for the actions they need to take.
Be Committed to Clear and Specific Action Steps
When people go through job loss and think about what they want to achieve and what their dream job looks like, they sometimes feel overwhelmed by how much they need to accomplish to move forward. Looking for a job is a full-time job. For this reason, it is important to break down an action plan into small, specific, and measurable steps.
It is also important to dedicate time each day for job search strategies. This could mean sending resumes to recruitment agencies, calling companies to request informational meetings, updating a cover letter, attending networking events, or studying to acquire new skills required in the targeted jobs.
Create a powerful resume and cover letter and share them with as many people as possible. A strong, professional resume and cover letter are critical. It is also critical to make sure they highlight the candidate’s assets: skills, experience, and professional achievements that will help them stand out. Sharing the resume with as many people as possible is one step in the right direction. A great resume serves no purpose if nobody sees it.
Attend Networking Events
Connecting with people, building relationships and getting to know them ultimately provide the candidate with access to their contacts’ networks. The following questions can help open doors to opportunities and job leads:
- “Who do you know who I should know, given the circumstances?”
- “Who do you know who would benefit from someone with my skills and experience?”
- “Who would you recommend I contact about…?”
With the right wording and appropriate timing, one can ask people for support with confidence and ease.
Build a Support Structure
For most people, finding the right job can take three to six months, on average. During that time, they will likely go through a full spectrum of emotions, from excitement and exhilaration to fear, self-doubt and depression. Having a support structure in place is critical. This can include a friend, a family member, a former colleague, a mentor or personal coach – anyone they can trust and whose professional opinion they respect and value. Ideally, this person should check their progress and provide value-adding feedback on a regular basis. This will nourish the candidate and sustain their efforts.
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