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8 Significant Ways Self-Assessment Tools Inform Career Transition Decisions

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To provide you with comprehensive insights on how self-assessment tools can inform a career transition decision, we’ve gathered eight expert opinions from career coaches to founders. From gaining self-awareness for strategic decisions to identifying core competencies for career transition, these professionals share their unique perspectives and practical examples. Dive into their wisdom to make your career transition smoother and more informed.

  • Gain Self-Awareness for Strategic Decisions
  • Leverage Unique Talents with Self-Assessment
  • Harness Insights from Enneagram and Myers-Briggs
  • Explore Career Options with Objective Measures
  • Guide Career Paths with Emotional Intelligence
  • Discover Interests and Preferences with Consistency
  • Reveal Natural Aptitudes with Strengths Assessment
  • Identify Core Competencies for Career Transition

Gain Self-Awareness for Strategic Decisions

If you’re at a pivotal point in your career, self-assessments can help gain a deeper sense of your strengths, passion, values, and work style. 

They can also offer new ideas or career avenues you may not have initially considered. Even if you have completed a self-assessment before, there is value in retaking them. Possessing strong self-awareness is a powerful tool for making more informed, strategic, and aligned decisions.

Kathryn Metzger, Career Coach, Discovery Career Planning

Leverage Unique Talents with Self-Assessment

The right self-assessment tool can effectively inform a career transition decision by allowing individuals the opportunity to explore what they naturally do best. Self-awareness is empowering and is core to the decisions we make. 

When we know ourselves better and understand our unique patterns of thinking, feeling, and interacting with the world, we can make smarter, more intentional choices about our future. This knowledge allows us to lean into our unique talents and avoid areas of potential weakness, setting us up for greater success.

Jodi Johnston, Career Coach, The Women’s Resource

Harness Insights from Enneagram and Myers-Briggs

We live in a culture where silence and introspection are marginalized. We take in so much stimuli every day that to genuinely quiet the mind and engage in self-reflection is the equivalent of Sisyphus continuously pushing the boulder up the hill. 

This is where self-assessment tools come in. Rather than sitting in silence until the answers come to us, we can hack the system a bit by answering a series of questions that then spit out insights about us we may not have noticed before. Using self-assessments like the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs can be extremely helpful in bringing our strengths and weaknesses front and center, allowing us to address them with direct action to move ourselves and our lives forward. 

If you don’t know who you are, you don’t know the special ways you bring value to a work team—and neither will they in the interview because you haven’t practiced pitching it. Self-discovery should be the foundation of any career transition!

Lauren Daly, Academic and Career Coach, College Hacked

Explore Career Options with Objective Measures

Many people know what they don’t want to do, but are unsure of what they want to do next, or are afraid to say it out loud for fear that others might judge them and their idea badly. 

A good career assessment offers an objective measure that gives someone ideas for career options they may never have considered. An assessment can provide a beginning for exploring alternatives. It did for me when I was considering a change from recruiting!

Jeff Altman, Global Job Search Coach, The Big Game Hunter, Inc.

Guide Career Paths with Emotional Intelligence

Self-assessment tools, especially those rooted in psychology, offer a mirror to our inner workings. For someone considering a career transition, these tools can be invaluable. Let’s take Emotional Intelligence (EI) as an example. 

Through my work in mental health and personal development, I’ve seen how understanding one’s EI can guide their career paths. If someone scores high in interpersonal skills but low in analytical thinking, they might reconsider a move to a data-heavy role. Instead, they could explore positions that leverage their relational strengths. 

By grasping these insights, one can make informed career choices that align with their innate abilities and passions, ensuring a more fulfilling and productive career trajectory.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture

Discover Interests and Preferences with Consistency

Self-assessment tools are exactly that—to inform. With that said, this only works if the assessment is taken with a “shoes-off” mentality, meaning there is no “ideal” role in mind. Remove “who you wish you were and want to be,” but rather focus on taking the assessment based on where your true interests and preferences lie. 

The other key component is consistency, and taking various assessments to understand overarching themes and where skills and traits interact. Once this information is gathered across several assessments, the strengths, areas of interest, and transferable skills are narrowed down, thus providing a sense of direction for a potential career transition.

Megan Dias, Career Services Coach, Parsity 

Reveal Natural Aptitudes with Strengths Assessment

Self-assessment tools can be a game-changer for someone considering a career transition. For example, taking a strengths assessment test could reveal that an individual has a natural aptitude for strategic thinking and problem-solving. 

Armed with this information, someone stuck in a routine administrative role may decide to transition into a strategy or consulting position. It’s this kind of tailored insight that can make the difference between continuing in an unfulfilling job and making a move towards a role that can bring both success and satisfaction.

Juliet Dreamhunter, Founder, Juliety

Identify Core Competencies for Career Transition

Let’s say you’re in a marketing role but are contemplating switching to project management. A self-assessment tool could help you identify core competencies between these roles. It might reveal that you have excellent organizational skills and a powerful ability to work with cross-functional teams—traits essential for project management. On the flip side, it could also show you areas where you might struggle. Maybe you have low scores in stress tolerance, a critical skill when juggling multiple project timelines.

Just knowing this information can help you make a more informed decision. Perhaps you’ll decide to take a course on stress management or start off with a less demanding project management role to build up your resilience. In this way, self-assessment tools don’t just show you who you are; they give you a roadmap to becoming who you want to be in your next career phase.

Gordana Sretenovic, Co-Founder, Workello ATS

13 Common Mistakes to Avoid at Networking Events

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Networking events can be a minefield of potential mistakes. To help you navigate, we’ve gathered thirteen pieces of advice from top professionals, including CEOs and partners, on what to avoid. From avoiding spreading yourself too thin to not overstaying with new connections, this article is your guide to successful networking.

  • Avoid Spreading Yourself Too Thin
  • Beware the “Transaction Fallacy”
  • Listen More, Talk Less
  • Avoid the “Salesperson Fangs”
  • Don’t Cling to Known Associates
  • Set a Clear Networking Goal
  • Avoid Over-Investing in Connections
  • Prepare an Elevator Pitch
  • Don’t Target Specific Contacts
  • Record Your New Contacts
  • Respect Your Current Employer
  • Don’t Ask for Jobs On-Spot
  • Don’t Overstay with New Connections

Avoid Spreading Yourself Too Thin

I often see a common mistake at networking events. People spread themselves too thin. Some industry parties or corporate expos might welcome a thousand people—trying to meet everyone is a fool’s game.

Instead, look into the guest list before going, and make a prioritized shortlist of only a dozen people you’d like to link up with. Brush up on their work history and upcoming projects so you’ll be able to speak with ease once you meet them.

It’s far better to make even one or two solid connections than many half-hearted meet-and-greets.

Travis Hann, Partner, Pender & Howe

Beware the “Transaction Fallacy”

With over two decades in the digital agency business, I’ve attended my fair share of networking events. One mistake that professionals often overlook is what I’d call the “Transaction Fallacy”—approaching networking as a transaction where you’re trying to “get something” out of the interaction immediately. 

Networking is about building relationships, not instant gratification. Trying to close a deal within the first conversation appears pushy and insincere. The key to networking is developing genuine relationships that have the potential to be mutually beneficial in the long term.

Consider networking as a form of social investment. When you engage with people without an overt agenda, you create an environment of trust and authenticity. This fosters stronger connections more likely to yield fruitful collaborations or opportunities. Forget the immediate gain and focus on planting seeds for future growth; the harvest will come when you least expect it.

Shane McEvoy, MD, LeadFly

Listen More, Talk Less

A common networking mistake I often see is people talking excessively about themselves and not actively listening to others. While many attend networking events to promote themselves or their business, my approach is different. I go to these events to learn about others, considering how they might fit into my network or become potential collaborators.

By adopting this mindset, I find that people are more willing to open up about themselves and their businesses. As a result, I gain valuable insights and create stronger connections than when I’ve focused solely on promoting my own business.

Chris Stott, Director, Seven Marketing

Avoid the “Salesperson Fangs”

The absolute biggest networking mistake is what I call “salesperson fangs.” This happens when the moment someone expresses any interest in the person, they sink their fangs in like a snake. In most cases, the person being attacked was just trying to be kind and is punished for it.

Remember, networking is like dating. The more questions you ask of the other person and the more you get them to talk, the more they will like you. The goal in networking is to expand your network (thus the name). The goal isn’t to sell to (or accost) the people in the room. 

Your network will expand if you are genuinely interested in helping the people that you meet. Be interested in them and help them get what they are looking for. If you do that, you’ll become a center of influence in any room that you network in.

Doug Staneart, CEO, Fearless Presentations

Don’t Cling to Known Associates

When attending networking events, it’s easy to go with a friend or colleague. Perhaps it’s a natural inclination to want them to come along. Or it might be a way to take some of the pressure off attending if one is not as comfortable with events where they do not know many people. 

However, attending with someone you know can potentially be a mistake if you wind up spending most of the event with that person. Instead of meeting new people and striking up conversations with different attendees, you spend more time than you should with the person you already know. 

When we go alone, sure, it might be very intimidating and nerve-racking, but it will push us to engage in conversation with new people and strengthen our networking skills. The only way to build that confidence and comfort level in attending networking events is by pushing out of the comfort zone and going alone. Most people are actually in the same boat and are happy to strike up conversations to meet new people.

Lindsey Garito, Director, People and Culture

Set a Clear Networking Goal

I believe the first step to making your networking efforts a success is defining what you would like to achieve. 

Would you like to meet potential employers or recruiters? Do you wish to increase your clientele? Or are there specific people you would like to meet, such as professionals from a particular industry? Answering these questions will help you make the most of any networking event instead of wasting your time or awkwardly hanging out alone in a corner. 

Setting a goal will also help you determine the best ways to prepare, such as making business cards, and preparing an elevator pitch to introduce yourself or your business memorably. It’s disappointing to see high-potential professionals badly review networking events just because they didn’t attend with a specific goal in mind.

Anjela Mangrum, President, Mangrum Career Solutions

Avoid Over-Investing in Connections

I’ve learned from experience that it’s important not to over-invest in people when networking. While building connections is essential, I’ve found that striking a balance is crucial. 

Over-committing my time and energy to a single person or connection can lead to missed opportunities elsewhere. Setting unrealistic expectations or putting too much pressure on one connection can also be counterproductive. It’s essential to diversify my network, set clear boundaries, and manage my time effectively. 

Networking is about cultivating a wide range of connections, and by avoiding the trap of over-investment, I can ensure that I make the most of these opportunities while also nurturing valuable existing relationships.

Kimberley Tyler-Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth, Resume Worded

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

It might seem okay to go impromptu, but preparing an elevator pitch is always a better idea. An elevator pitch, or a 30-second introduction about yourself and your business, can be a great way to get the conversation started. Ensure you have thought through what you want to say beforehand to confidently deliver it and make an excellent first impression. 

Another mistake to avoid is getting too focused on creating a sale or pitching your business. I’d say that the best way to turn people off is to push your products and services hard. Networking events are about building relationships, so focus on having meaningful conversations and connecting with the people you meet. New relationships, including professional ones, are built on a solid foundation. Make sure you build rapport before you launch into a sales pitch.

David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder and Marketing Head, Sticker It 

Don’t Target Specific Contacts

One of the more harmful mistakes to make at networking events is to create a hit-list of contacts and then avoid everyone else. 

By far, the most important networking moments of my life occurred spontaneously and organically; they didn’t involve me seeking them out. 

Naturally, high-profile contacts tend to be highly sought after during networking events, and they are unlikely to pay proper attention to you, harming your chances of establishing contact. However, when making the rounds, you tend to bump into the perfect connection, and it feels far more genuine when it occurs organically. Conversely, when trying to target specific people, it always feels forced and agenda-driven, which makes people feel uneasy and on guard. 

Instead, just take your time and be open to speaking with whoever comes your way. Not only does this help you to meet more people, but it also makes those connections seem more genuine.

Ben Schwencke, Business Psychologist, Test Partnership

Record Your New Contacts

A common mistake to avoid at a networking event is assuming you’re going to remember everyone you meet. The reason this is a mistake is that it can cause a lot of missed opportunities. 

I remember one of the first networking events that I ever went to. I met a lot of new people, some of whom were great potential partners for the company I was working for at the time. However, I failed to take any record of who I’d met, how to contact them, etc. While I could remember a few standout individuals, something you’ll learn is that some of the best partnerships come from the people you don’t expect, and forgetting who you’ve met can be a big mistake. 

So, next time you go to a networking event, make sure you keep a record of who you’ve met. I guarantee you it’ll be more than you remember. And chances are, you’ll get some great partnerships or collaborations out of it.

Michael Maroney, Marketing Director and Lead Biologist, Infinite Outdoors

Respect Your Current Employer

It’s essential to remember that you aren’t just representing yourself at a networking event—you’re also representing your employer. 

An unfortunate incident occurred last year where one of our marketing leads and I were at a networking event together. He apparently complained to someone there about his current job and was openly angling to jump ship. This got around to me by the end of the day, and he definitely got his opportunity to jump ship. 

It’s no secret that networking events are a great chance to explore other job opportunities—just use a little tact and patience in when and how you act on those opportunities, and don’t publicly speak ill of your current employer, especially when they’re in the room.

Nick Valentino, VP of Market Operations, Bellhop

Don’t Ask for Jobs On-Spot

Asking for a job on the spot is something I don’t recommend at a networking event. It can make you look desperate, and it’s really not a great opportunity for that. 

When at a networking event, you should be focusing on talking to as many professionals as possible and simply getting your name out there. You want to make a good first impression and give them your information so they can contact you if need be.

Simply getting to know people is key, and making notes in your phone about them is helpful. Then, when you contact them about a possible job opportunity in the future, you can refer back to these notes to make a connection.

Kristie Tse, Founder, Uncover Counseling

Don’t Overstay with New Connections

It’s important not to hang on too tightly to those you click with. It’s important to recognize that everyone is at the networking event for the same reason: meeting people. If you’ve given another person enough information to understand your story and how to reach out, the important connecting will be accomplished in a future (usually one-on-one) meeting.

Trevor Ewen, COO, QBench

6 Ways to Impact Employee Retention Through Training & Development

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To understand the impact of employee training and development on employee retention, we’ve gathered insights from six industry leaders, including CEOs and Human Resources Directors. Their responses range from how “Training Fosters Emotional Connection” to how “Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty”. Dive into these insights to better understand the importance of training in retaining your employees.

  • Training Fosters Emotional Connection
  • Training Enables Career Mobility
  • Investment in Training Attracts Talent
  • Onboarding Training Reduces Early Termination
  • Training Boosts Happiness and Loyalty
  • Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty

Training Fosters Emotional Connection

As a corporate training organization, we love collecting all of the comments from all of our participants. We receive all kinds of great feedback on what people have learned and how they are going to apply it at their place of work. 

Time and time again, the responses that stick out for us aren’t necessarily the hard and defined outcomes; they’re the emotive replies about how people felt after the training. 

Training isn’t always about 1+2=3. It can be about the simple fact that people want to feel seen and heard at work. They want to be recognized and have their company invest in their skills. They want to feel a true sense of belonging at work. 

When people feel a part of the organization’s journey, they aren’t looking for other jobs…they are looking forward to the next training session!

Ashley Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder, CultureAlly

Training Enables Career Mobility

Employee training and development has a positive impact on employee retention because it allows for additional lateral and upward mobility within organizations. If employees are continually learning new skills, it allows them to test the waters in new departments or positions, and possibly move up the corporate ladder faster than they otherwise would. In other words, continuous employee training gives individuals more options within their respective organization, and therefore, more incentive to stay with their current company, as opposed to being forced into a particular division or role on a permanent basis.

Janelle Owens, Human Resources Director, Guide2Fluency

Investment in Training Attracts Talent

Investing in employee training has a profound impact on retention. Here’s why. At ZenMaid, we’ve recognized that beyond competitive salaries and benefits, what truly drives our team is the desire to grow and be competitive. Training empowers our team, allowing them to embrace bigger roles and challenges. It breaks the monotony, ensuring that tasks aren’t just repetitive but are filled with purpose and progression. The outcome? Loyal employees who stick around, driving down attrition and elevating retention.

But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there. Career-driven individuals talk, and when they do, they praise companies that prioritize development. We’ve seen this firsthand. Through our commitment to training, we’ve not only retained our star players but also attracted top-tier talent. It’s a win-win: our team feels valued, grows in their roles, and in turn, they spread the word, helping us bring in more like-minded professionals. It’s a cycle of growth, and it starts with training.

Amar Ghose, CEO, ZenMaid

Onboarding Training Reduces Early Termination

Employee training and development have a positive impact on employee retention. An uncommon example of this is providing timely feedback and support during the onboarding process. This helps new employees acclimate to the company quickly, which can reduce the risk of burnout or early termination due to feeling overwhelmed or out of sync with organizational objectives. By helping them make connections within the organization and developing skills for early success, new team members are more likely to stay motivated and engaged longer.

Julia Kelly, Managing Partner, Rigits

Training Boosts Happiness and Loyalty

Calling all HR heroes! Employee training and development, like a ninja with a briefcase, wield a powerful impact on retention rates. Let’s crunch some data and sprinkle a dash of humor on this delectable dish. Studies show that employees who receive regular training are happier than a kid in a candy store. A whopping 94% of them are more likely to stay put in their jobs! Imagine the office dance party when they learn new skills and grow like a well-watered office plant. Development opportunities are the secret sauce that keeps employees loyal, like a sidekick to their favorite superhero. They feel valued and ready to conquer new challenges, just like Rocky facing Apollo Creed! So, invest in training like a wise wizard handling magic beans. Happy employees mean a happier bottom line and a team that sticks around like chewing gum on a shoe!

Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing

Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty

Employee training and development have a significant impact on employee retention. When organizations invest in their employees’ growth and skill enhancement, it demonstrates a commitment to their professional advancement. This fosters a sense of loyalty and appreciation among employees, making them more likely to stay with the company long-term.

Training and development programs also improve employees’ job satisfaction and confidence. By acquiring new skills and knowledge, they become more competent in their roles, leading to increased job engagement and reduced turnover. Moreover, providing opportunities for growth within the organization encourages career progression, reducing the likelihood of employees seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Aviad Faruz, CEO, Know Mastery

6 Ways to Demonstrate Your Qualifications During an Interview

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To help you ace your next interview, we’ve gathered six expert tips on how to best demonstrate your qualifications. From the Head of Talent Acquisition to the Community Expert, these professionals share their insights, starting with the “X, Y, Z Method” and ending with providing specific examples of skills. Dive into their valuable advice to make your next interview a success.

  • Use the X, Y, Z Method
  • Highlight Your Journey and Confidence
  • Share Specific Impactful Moments
  • Research and Discuss Industry Trends
  • Focus on the “Why”
  • Provide Specific Examples of Skills

Use the X, Y, Z Method

One way to demonstrate your qualifications in an interview is to use the X, Y, Z method when answering a question. X represents the challenge you faced, Y represents how you took action, and Z represents the results. This easy formula will help you communicate your strategy, any roadblocks you encountered, and the outcome of your efforts and how it impacted the business.

Jim Leahy, Head of Talent Acquisition, DailyPay

Highlight Your Journey and Confidence

When discussing your journey, illuminate the specific actions taken to attain your qualifications, highlighting dedication and perseverance. Emphasize how these qualifications have translated into real-world skills that have positively impacted your personal and professional endeavors.

In the context of the potential position, illustrate how these acquired skills align seamlessly with the demands of the role, underscoring your ability to contribute meaningfully from day one. Throughout the conversation, exude unwavering confidence, showcasing your self-assuredness in your abilities. 

By effectively communicating your qualifications, their practical benefits, and their direct relevance to the role, you’ll leave a lasting impression of competence and commitment.

Brandon DiCroce, Senior Executive Consultant – Head of Fintech Engineering Search, EC1 Partners

Share Specific Impactful Moments

In a job interview, one of the most compelling ways candidates demonstrate their qualifications isn’t just by listing their credentials. Instead, it’s interesting when a candidate shares a specific moment from their past roles where they made a tangible difference. 

For example, as the founder of a life-coaching business and being responsible for hiring, if someone shared how they used their expertise in emotional intelligence to mediate a conflict between colleagues or how they introduced mindfulness techniques to improve the team’s productivity, it would catch my attention. 

Such narratives not only highlight their skills but also their ability to apply them in practical scenarios. It’s these real-life applications that make me confident in a candidate’s qualifications and their potential value to my business.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture

Research and Discuss Industry Trends

One way to signal to the hiring manager that you are qualified and competent is to heavily research the company, its primary competitors, and trends within its respective industry prior to the interview. 

That way, you can speak intelligently about potential opportunities for the company, and popular trends or shifting demographics that may impact it in the future. Ultimately, being able to speak on these subjects will be much more impressive to the interviewer and better demonstrate your qualifications as opposed to simply running down a list of your past accomplishments or what certifications you may have.

Janelle Owens, Human Resources Director, Guide2Fluency

Focus on the “Why”

I think it helps to have examples of work or tasks prepared with a breakdown of the “why” behind it. 

So, rather than just saying you did “y” or you worked on “x,” you can show (whether via presentation or otherwise) not only your past experience, but also how you did it, and tie it to your qualifications and practical experience in previous roles.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll

Provide Specific Examples of Skills

Proving that your skills are adequate for the position you are applying for is a sure way to convince recruiters to hire you. It’s even more impressive if you provide specific examples from your past to demonstrate how well you suit the role.

Start by analyzing the skills required for the job and consider how your competencies meet those expectations. Recall specific situations when you could put these skills into practice. Be as unambiguous as possible to increase your authenticity.

For instance, if you are applying for a position as a Data Analyst, you might recall a time when you had to fix a severe bug and how you found an excellent solution. If you’re aiming to work as a Digital PR expert, be prepared to describe a challenging campaign and how you dealt with it. 

Remember, the way you show your abilities is as essential to your career as possessing them. Keep this in mind and refresh your memory to answer the interviewer’s question excellently.

Martyna Szczesniak, Community Expert, MyPerfectResume

14 Essential Factors to Consider When Contemplating a Career Transition

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If you’re contemplating a career transition, we’ve gathered fourteen insightful perspectives to guide you. Our contributors, ranging from CEOs to HR professionals, have shared their wisdom on this complex topic. From preparing yourself emotionally to thinking about your target industry’s future, this article offers a comprehensive guide to navigating your career change.

  • Prepare Yourself Emotionally
  • Speak to People in the Targeted Career 
  • Avoid Narrow Candidate Prospecting
  • Consider Financial Planning and Potential Issues
  • Reflect on Personal Needs and Responsibilities
  • Keep an Open Mind in Transition
  • Be Realistic During a Career Change
  • Take Time to Research and Test
  • Assess and Balance Passion, Talent, and Skill
  • Check-in With Yourself for Career Alignment
  • Follow Your Passion in Career Transition
  • Maintain Positive Relationships With Colleagues
  • Evaluate Your Time and Availability
  • Think About Your Target Industry’s Future

Prepare Yourself Emotionally

One critical aspect to consider in a career transition is emotional readiness. In my personal journey, I transitioned from an engineer to a life coach and learned that change isn’t solely about acquiring new skills or adapting to a new environment. It’s also about mentally and emotionally preparing yourself for the inevitable uncertainties and fears that accompany the process.

There were days when I felt thrilled about the possibilities, and others when I was anxious about the future and the unknown. What helped me move forward was the understanding that these emotions weren’t signs of weakness, but a natural part of embracing change.

So, when faced with these feelings, try embracing them instead of resisting them. This approach makes the process more manageable. For me, it was this fundamental shift in perspective that truly propelled me forward to navigate my career transition successfully.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, and Founder, Life Architekture

Speak to People in the Targeted Career 

How many people have you spoken to in the career you’re trying to transition into? This is a really important question! Our sense of things from the outside can differ from the reality of working in that target career every day. 

If you’re thinking about a transition, go talk to as many people in your target career as you can. Try to learn enough about this new role so you can picture yourself in that role and consider if it gives you the things you’re seeking in this professional transition.

The key benefit of these exploratory conversations is that you build up your network in your target industry. You’ll need those insider contacts to ensure your non-linear candidacy is taken seriously. 

And maybe some of these contacts would help you put your resume in your target industry’s jargon. You’ll need to mirror the other linear candidates in your target industry’s application pool.

Pat Fligge, Director of Temple Professional Network, Temple University

Avoid Narrow Candidate Prospecting

It is common to assume that someone who has previously worked in a similar company that provides services like yours, or sells similar products as you do, will be a great fit for your company, but that might not always be the case. For example, ours is a SaaS company. 

While outreaching through LinkedIn, at first we specifically targeted candidates that have a proven track record in SaaS companies. We thought they would easily get accustomed to our business and could add value to their previous experiences. 

While this has happened, most of the time, it didn’t work out. So, there has been a lot of time we restricted our candidate prospecting to a very narrowed-down target and overlooked candidates that may have had the potential to bring something new to the table. 

Hence, while reaching out to candidates with similar work histories is not a bad idea, ONLY reaching out to them is not a wise decision.

Sajna V M, Head of People and Customer Success, WebPipl

Consider Financial Planning and Potential Issues

Make sure the new career you’re switching to won’t merely provide you with the same old issues in a different format when you consider your reasons for wanting to make a change.

Also, ensure you have enough money saved up so that you can continue to afford to live without receiving additional income during this period if your job choice requires returning to school or another type of specialized training. 

Your plans might be seriously derailed if your resources run out. Even if you decide to change careers, it might not be the one you had in mind if you can’t afford to see the way through to the finish line.

You may occasionally need to take many stages to reach where you desire, using your present abilities in each step to find employment that enables you to gain new ones. Similar to how a youngster traversing the monkey bars grabs onto one bar while stretching out for the next, so does this.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv

Reflect on Personal Needs and Responsibilities

When contemplating a career change, it is crucial to consider your personal needs, priorities, and responsibilities over the next five years. Making such a decision requires careful introspection and a deep understanding of what truly matters to you in this season of your life. 

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the prospect of planning for the next two decades, but the focus should be on what you require professionally in the immediate future. 

By considering your present circumstances and objectives, you can align your career choices with your current aspirations, ensuring that they integrate with your personal needs and responsibilities. 

Remember, it’s important to give yourself permission to prioritize your well-being and happiness, understanding that careers evolve and change over time. By focusing on what you need in the coming years, you can navigate your career journey with confidence and fulfillment.

Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed

Keep an Open Mind During Transition

As the CEO and founder of Bemana, a recruiting firm specializing in the equipment and industrial sector, I can say that keeping an open mind is the most important thing when contemplating a career transition.

Today’s job market is far more vast than most people realize. Often, workers will come to me with a short list of positions, but once we talk, I realize their interests and skill sets extend much further than they think.

In these cases, I often advise them to see a career coach—and to go in with an open mind as they’ll likely discover jobs they hadn’t considered!

Staying flexible in the process ensures you don’t wind up in a new position you dislike just as much as your old one, so be prepared to expand your list of potential roles and don’t write off anything until you’ve given it real thought.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Be Realistic During a Career Change

As the founder and managing partner at Vetted, a boutique recruiting firm serving growth-stage tech companies, marketing agencies, and PR firms in Greater Boston and beyond, I can tell you that realism is key when considering a career transition. 

Often, I see people when they’re at peak frustration with their current position. This can lead to rose-colored glasses about other roles or industries, and sometimes it’s necessary to bring them back down to earth.

No job is perfect, and true self-fulfillment usually arrives after hours. Before moving on from your current career, honestly audit the pros and cons of where you are. Consider that the negatives might persist in a new position.

It’s natural to focus on the bad things at hand, and the good to come, but this approach will leave you where you started in the long run: miserable and seeking change that never truly comes.

Tim Walsh, Founder, Vetted

Take Time to Research and Test

Don’t feel you have to rush the process. If you’re transitioning to a completely different sector or career path, then this is something that shouldn’t be rushed. So, ensure you take the time to research, trial, and test before “jumping in” to an alternative career path.

Tracey Beveridge, HR Director, Personnel Checks

Assess and Balance Passion, Talent, and Skill

When you reach a point in your life where you realize that your current career no longer brings you joy, you may think that it’s a sign to change your career. Some may want to change their job entirely, while others find it better to use their skills in another way. 

Either way, when you contemplate your next step, it’s important to tap into your passions and aim to find common ground between that and your natural talent and skills. For example, when my business partner and I started off, we began with an ed-tech program—Imagine Easy Solutions. 

After growing with this program, we sold it and made a change with our next project. We had to look at what we found exciting and what would bring us joy when we created it. This led to us transitioning from the ed-tech industry into the gaming one and creating Solitared, which hosts several card-related games like Cribbage Online.

Neal Taparia, Co-Founder, Cribbage Online

Check-in With Yourself for Career Alignment

It’s important to create some space to pause and look internally when contemplating a transition. I use a VIPS framework with my coaching clients—what are your values, interests, personality, and skills, and how do they (or don’t they) align with your current career?

Consider: Do you ever get into a flow state? What lights you up and feels good? What parts of your job drain you? 

Using this self-check-in, you can get a clearer sense of whether you like what you do, or if you’re out of alignment. 

Sometimes, we have room to bring this into a conversation with our current employer to job-craft and ask if there is room to integrate more of what we want, where we are. Other times, it’s clear that it’s time to make a bigger transition.

Aileen Axtmayer, Career Coach and Corporate Wellness Speaker, Aspire with Aileen

Follow Your Passion in Career Transition

When you’re thinking about making a career transition, one really important thing to consider is your passion. Ask yourself, “What truly excites me?” It’s crucial to find something that aligns with your interests and values. 

Remember, a career is a big part of your life, so it’s important to be passionate about what you do. Take the time to explore different options and reflect on what truly makes you happy. Following your passion can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career journey.

Lou Reverchuk, Co-Founder and CEO, EchoGlobal

Maintain Positive Relationships With Colleagues

An important principle to remember during a career transition process is to avoid “burning bridges.”‌ You want to maintain positive relationships with former colleagues, supervisors, and other professional contacts, even as you move on to new opportunities.

These relationships can be invaluable down the line, whether it’s for a future job recommendation, industry advice, or collaborative opportunities. 

Remember, the professional world is ‌small, and it’s in your best interest to leave a positive impression wherever you go. Leaving a job doesn’t mean you should sever all ties, but continue nurturing those relationships, as you never know when you might cross paths again in the future.

Juliet Dreamhunter, Founder, Juliety

Evaluate Your Time and Availability

One important factor to consider when contemplating a career transition is the time you have. When I was deciding whether to transition from my job as an accountant into freelancing, I had a limited amount of time. 

I was working full-time and had just become a new mom. My husband’s job meant we were moving out of state in only a few months’ time. We were also about to pay for childcare for our daughter. 

It wasn’t possible for me to take on any more freelance work—which was ‌just blog writing and editing other people’s articles on their blogs. 

So, it was crucial for me to decide whether this career change was going to be worth it before fully committing to it. If you’re considering a career change and have little time, ask yourself: Do you want this change? Do you feel that it’s something that will actually help your life? If so, go for it!

Jaanus Põder, Founder and CEO, Envoice

Think About Your Target Industry’s Future

Make sure that you take the time to assess the future of the industry you’re looking to transition into. Whether you’re looking to do so as an employee or self-employed, it’s important to look at what the future may hold before potentially investing a large amount of time to change.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll