While it’s true that career changes come with losses, they also present tremendous opportunities to push past your comfort zone and work through your fears. Over the past few years, most of the people I have worked with in my capacity as a career coach have transitioned into a new organization, field, role, or entrepreneurial venture that they considered “better.” I have worked with: 

  • lawyers who left large firms to start their own businesses in different segments; 
  • financial services professionals who shifted industries at mid-career; 
  • women who took a few years to be stay-at-home moms prior to returning to corporate roles; 
  • individuals who moved countries and took a step back in their careers, but were able to grow significantly over time; and
  • professionals who switched companies within the same industry after going through restructuring initiatives, and found more fulfillment in a different organization and team. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 2019), “individuals held an average of 12.3 jobs from ages 18 to 52, with nearly half of these jobs held before age 25.” Other studies on career management suggest that the average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life, and approximately 30% of the total workforce will change jobs every 12 months.

As a case in point, the award-winning film Bohemian Rhapsodyrevealed some of Freddie Mercury’s decisions and qualities that led the band to their extraordinary success, including his self-confidence, trust in his abilities, clear vision, and the single-minded focus and dedication to realize that vision. Of course, talent played a critical part in their journey! After all, the band faced challenges, criticism, and rejections along the way to their success. 

Freddie Mercury (1946-1991)

A prime example of maintaining their vision and taking risks occurred when the band needed to sell their van – one of their only assets – to start recording in a studio. Despite his band members’ reservations, it was obvious to Freddie that selling the van was necessary to open up new opportunities. While this represented a significant loss – limiting the band’s ability to travel and perform – it also represented a new beginning. So much so, in fact, that it marked one of their first steps to become the band, Queen. 

This example reminds me of what the ice hockey coach behind an Olympic medal, Herb Brooks once said: “Risk something or forever sit with your dreams.” 

Bearing this story in mind, I invite you to reflect on the greatest risk you have taken in your career. What did you lose with your career change, and what did you gain? What has improved in your life as a result of that change? 

A few months ago, my client John called me to share that he had lost his job. He had been unsatisfied with his work for some time, so we already had wheels in motion for a new job search. But the reality of being “let go” from his company hit him hard and shook his confidence. Uncertainty about what would happen next, how quickly he could secure another job, and his financial situation made him fearful and anxious. Not to mention, the pressure of sharing this news with family and friends was very stressful. 

It’s easy to start questioning our abilities, skills, performance, and judge how good or bad we are based on someone else’s criteria. All kinds of saboteurs (negative internal voices) try to make us believe the worst about ourselves and our circumstances. In that moment, it is critical to exercise self-compassion and self-love by focusing on our strengths, qualities, uniqueness, and the new possibilities ahead. It is equally important to keep in mind that we are not our jobs; we are human beings and we are so much more than the roles or the positions we hold. We are also interconnected with other people and should leverage our relationships in times of recovery. 

It is also worth remembering that – in our current job climate where companies restructure fast and often, where market and consumer needs change constantly, and the digital age advances – any person can lose their job, including very talented individuals. There is no such thing as stability, neither for employees nor entrepreneurs.

According to a 2017 study conducted by McKinsey & Company related to the future of work, by 2030, “globally, up to 375 million may need to switch occupational categories and learn new skills” In other words, becoming too comfortable in a job, area of expertise, or not working towards self-improvement will have an impact on your career, sooner or later. The study concluded that “we will all need creative visions for how our lives are organized and valued in the future, in a world where the role and meaning of work starts to shift.” It stands to reason that diversity, fewer boundaries, mixed generations, and different cultures will continue to be reflected in our workforce. We will need to constantly assess the market to understand the needs, new opportunities, and changes in work-based practices and philosophies that lie ahead.

Ikigai (生き甲斐, pronounced [ikiɡai]) is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being.” As part of the career change process, we review aspects of this model.

Returning to my client John, he began working on his job search, became more self-aware, acquired new social skills, and learned how to network. He went through the ups and downs of career transitions, just like the rest of us. Importantly, our initial step was to “soul search” (using parts of the the “Ikigai” concept), taking an opportunity to reflect on his passion (what he loves), his strengths and skills (what he’s good at), his purpose, and the things he wanted to achieve through growth and personal development. This constituted a gain, in that it presented an opportunity for John to empower himself to become the protagonist of his own life and career.

After less than three months of hard work and a lot of relationship building, John accepted an offer with a company and was back to work. Of course, this timeframe is well below average. There are many factors that can impact the time it takes to get back to work, such as: the job market, state of the economy, location, candidate’s mobility, professional level (entry, middle-management, or executive), expected compensation, qualifications, network, and the time dedicated to a job search. Understandably, my client’s achievement was an important milestone in his life, and came with lots of positive changes. His new organization is in expansion-mode, meaning he may have growth potential. The role itself is more challenging, with opportunities to develop new skills and capabilities. The new company’s values are also more aligned to his own. On the “losing” side, he had some minor reductions in his benefits and has a longer commute (though he now has the ability to work virtually on occasion). 

It is important to emphasize that we cannot talk about career change without reflecting on our career values (whats is important to me) and career motivations (what drives me). Some questions to ask yourself are: What are the most important things to me right now? What is my current life situation and what do I need the most? What drives me? For example, career motivators can be challenge, or stability, balance, independence, influence, contribution. Alternatively, what are the non-negotiable factors? Where are you willing to be flexible? Because these motivators tend to change throughout your developmental phases, it’s important to re-check them often. Significant life events like a new child, a change of country, and new interests are all factors that can impact what matters to you professionally. This awareness can help you to identify what to pursue in the moment, and guide decisions that “feel right.” 

Finally, I want to acknowledge that career changes can be tough, full of uncertainties and fear. But you always have a choice in the matter; you can choose to go through it as a victim or as a protagonist. You can take the opportunity to learn from past experiences, to reinvent yourself and bring new meaning to your life and career. Freddie Mercury taught us that we can succeed despite setbacks, armed with confidence, self-trust, and the courage to take risks. The world of work is changing and careers are dynamic and flexible. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, I encourage you to: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

My name is Beatriz Nicolau. I am a consultant, executive & career coach and facilitator. My Purpose is to expand human consciousness through more awareness, understanding of values, beliefs, and by helping individuals reach their full potential. I believe this expansion opens up possibilities for people to trust themselves, live a more fulfilling life and develop strong connections with others.