• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
career-coaching-and-training-logo
Enrolment Form Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Membership Subscription
    • Reviews and Testimonials
    • Student Handbook
    • Blogs & Videos
  • Career Training
    • How to Find the Perfect Job
    • How to Plan Your retirement
    • Managing Career Changes
    • Your Career Journey – Online Professional Development
    • Online Professional Development Courses Online
      • Change and Resilience
      • Develop Assertiveness Skills for Life and Work
      • Grow Your Interpersonal Skills
      • Learn how to Focus your Mind for Life and Work
      • Learn How to Manage Conflict
      • Learn How to Manage Stress
      • Learn How to Manage Time for Effective Results
      • Learn the Art of Negotiating and Winning
      • Learn to Connect and Build Authentic Relationships through Networking
  • Career Coaching
  • Retirement Coaching
  • Business Training
  • Events
  • Contact

Transition

How to Conquer Career Transition

Susan felt fulfilled in her last role as a vocational trainer. She enjoyed working with her colleagues in a positive workplace, and the challenge of training and seeing participants learn and develop. Her role brought her career and personal fulfilment. Despite her success, Susan was disappointed that her contract could not be renewed due to funding. She was left disillusioned and her confidence was effected. Six months later, she is still searching for a new role.

As people are at different life stages and their situations are unique, their experience with making a career transition will vary.

For some, the transition may be voluntary as individuals consciously make the decision to make a change. It may start years before taking the first step. Examples are a parent raising a family and seeking to return to the workforce, a promotion within the organisation into a new role or a new company that the individual has planned and worked for over many years, or to change careers to reflect a new life stage and changing interests.

A career transition is the close of one life stage and shift in career path, and the process of finding and moving into a new career. This is true for a student at school or university when their course of study has finished and they are seeking their first job, usually a first full-time role.

A transition can be involuntary as organisations downsize or globalise and move jobs overseas. This sees employee retrenchment which is often difficult for individuals and their families. It impacts on an individual’s psychological well-being that results in loss of confidence and self-esteem.

Making a career transition can be challenging, as we let go of our old situation and journey into the unknown.

A successful transition requires an individual to adapt to the new situation. For some, it is easier when the change is planned. For others, the emotional response can bring fears of what lies ahead, letting go of relationships that have taken time to build, confronting personal fears such as self-esteem and confidence that can be impacted, and performance issues of one’s ability to undertake a new role. Financial responsibilities with the loss of a regular income when caring for a family can exaggerate the transition.

A career transition journey has several stages that individuals will go through. The length of these stages varies amongst individuals and their circumstances. These stages are a normal reaction to job loss.

The Transition Model, 1991, developed by William Bridges highlights three stages of transition that people go through when they experience change. Individuals jump backwards and forwards between the stages. These are:

 

1. Ending, Losing, and Letting Go

The old situation is over and an individual is confronted with change. This stage is often marked with resistance and emotional upheaval because people are being forced to let go of something that they are comfortable with.

As the individual transitions to accept that something is ending, there may be resistance throughout the change process before they can begin to accept the new state. At this stage, individuals may experience the following emotions:

  • Fear
  • Denial
  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Disorientation
  • Frustration
  • Uncertainty
  • A sense of loss

 

2. The Neutral Zone

This phase is the bridge between the old and the new, and is the ‘cold’ zone. In this stage, the individual is often confused, uncertain, and impatient. Individuals will be attached to the old, while they are also trying to adapt to the new. At this stage, the individual might experience:

  • Resentment towards the change initiative
  • Low morale and low productivity
  • Anxiety about their employment situation, status or identity
  • Scepticism about the future

To rise above these feelings, it is a good time to work for professional renewal to build one’s identity and occupational commitment, and develop skills and knowledge.

 

3. The New Beginning

The last transition stage is a time of acceptance and energy. The individual has begun to embrace the change. They are building skills for work, and are starting to see the benefit from their efforts.

At this stage, the individual is likely to experience:

  • High energy
  • Openness to learning
  • Renewed commitment to one’s role

Career Transition Tips

To maintain a positive momentum from the career transition, here are some tips to help the journey ahead.

 

Develop career goals

Think about what you want from your career, and how it fits into your life. Establish the steps to attain the goal.

Exercise to get fit

A transition is usually a stressful time. Use the time to develop your physical fitness by exercising and walking. The benefit is that it will reduce your stress, improve your mental well-being, and become fit.

Use the time for your professional development

Enrol in a course to upgrade your skills and qualifications. Your course will transition you into work, and you will meet like-minded students. It will stand you in good stead with your job applications and in your new role.

Find a career coach or mentor

Talk with a trusted professional who can support you during the transition and time of change. They will provide valuable assistance and support you to work through the challenges and issues that you face.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a good opportunity to use your skills and a great way to meet people. It closes time gaps in your resume, and it may lead to employment. Importantly, volunteering and being involved is a good way to get you out of the house, and be helpful to others. Giving to others is the first principle of finding personal happiness.

Gain support from positive people

Be honest with positive people such as your family and friends, and let them know what you are going through. They can lift your spirits and provide the personal nourishment that is often needed.

Gain perspective

Recognise that your transition is a temporary stage in your life that will pass, and does not define your life. The process often builds character, resilience and empathy for others.

A career transition can feel overwhelming with the changes ahead. However, it can also be a positive time as you reflect and vision your future, and take positive steps to reach your goals. Upon reflection of the transition, many believe that it was worth the process and challenge to reflect their new goals and interests.

And a final thought:

It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. Sir Edmund Hillary

 

What do you think about what I have discussed here? Share your tips and ideas below in ‘Comments.’

About Leah Shmerling

Leah Shmerling

Leah Shmerling is the Director and Principal Consultant of Crown Coaching and Training, and has extensive experience in career development, life coaching, education and training.

Leah is the author of two books in careers and business communication, a former freelance writer for The Age and Herald Sun, and publisher of two accredited online short courses, Mentoring and Development and Foundations in Career Development Practice.

Leah is a professional member of the Career Development Association Australia (CDAA), a Certified Retirement Coach and is Board Certified as a Career Management Fellow with the Institute of Career Certification.

Leah Shmerling can be contacted here

 

Category: Careers, Case Study, Jobs, Transition

You want a new Career? So now what?

 

As individuals change their career five to seven times in their lifetime, change jobs, and transition from one life stage to another, we undergo a personal career journey. During the journey, we search for meaning and fulfilment in our work and career to integrate into our life.

The career journey consists of four phases:

  • self-awareness
  • exploration of the labour market and jobs of interest
  • making decisions, and
  • taking actions to attain our next step.

Below are the steps, and considerations at each stage.

 

Step 1 – Self awareness

Self-understanding is the basis from which you make your career decisions. You are looking at yourself; reviewing your present situation and planning for the future. You are reflecting on what you want out of your career and your job. It is a time of deep contemplation as you consider important and honest questions to commence your career journey. These questions include:

  • Who am I?
  • What are my strengths? My weaknesses? How can these be overcome?
  • Where am I now?
  • Where would I like to be?
  • What are my interests?
  • What are my skills?
  • What is important to me?

During this stage, you gain valuable information about yourself to set the foundation for your actions and decisions.

 

Step 2 – Career exploration

You are now ready to research careers, occupations and jobs that are of interest, in order to put together a preferred shortlist. Ask yourself:

“Where am I going?”

For each job, note the specific skills and qualifications that are required to work in the field. The exploration will provide you with a realistic list from which you can assess your skills. At this stage, keep your options broad to enable you to look at the ‘big picture.’ At a later stage, the options will be reduced.

As you answer the question, use your understanding of your skill set from stage one to evaluate how your skills match the occupations of interest. That is, review your skills against the jobs that you are seeking. Where a skills gap exists – the gap between the job that you are seeking and your current skill level, consider how the gap can be addressed and reduced by attaining the required skills or training.

You may need to consider: studying to attain qualifications, obtaining work experience, work shadowing, undertaking voluntary work, or working at a lower level to gain professional experience with the view to a promotion to work at a higher level. Where skills are transferable from one job or context such as your studies, hobbies, voluntary or community work, highlight your skills and experience.

Exploration also involves reviewing the labour market to assess the job availability of particular jobs. Some jobs are harder to find employment in than others. These include: Financial Advisors, Accountants and Auditors, Sales Managers or Human Resource Managers. Consider the labour market as a guide to attain work, but importantly, follow your passion in an area that meets your interests and skills.

 

Step 3 – Decision making

From the list of occupations and jobs that you have devised in step two, narrow your options to create a specific list. Your preferred list may be based on considerations of your interests, skills, size of the skills gap, job availability, personal responsibility, and work/life balance. Ask yourself:

“What decision will provide me with the career outcomes that meet my goals and current situation?”

Weigh the advantage and disadvantage of each option for both the short and long term. This will enable you to review your situation in perspective, and design a strategy to work towards attaining your career goal.

 

Step 4 – Action

The culmination of the planning that you have undertaken in steps one to three position you to take action. For many, this will entail a job application. Ask yourself the questions:

  • How am I going to get there?
  • What actions will help me to achieve my work and career goals?

The action that you take will involve a range of strategies to access jobs and contact with an employer. The job application process will involve writing or updating a professional resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and interview preparation.

Consider both your internal and external resources available to support you. Your inner resources include: your personality attributes such as resilience, persistence, hard work, goal orientation, and the external resources are your network and people that can assist you.

Once you complete the four step process, you gain self-knowledge, understand the labour market, select a preferred option, and strategise your actions. Keep an eye on the future to strengthen your position with ongoing learning and development to stay current. Ask yourself:

“How do I maintain peak performance?”

 

Best wishes for your career journey! Please share any additional ideas you may have below in ‘Comments.’

About Leah Shmerling

Leah Shmerling

Leah Shmerling is the Director and Principal Consultant of Crown Coaching and Training, and has extensive experience in career development, life coaching, education and training.

Leah is the author of two books in careers and business communication, a former freelance writer for The Age and Herald Sun, and publisher of two accredited online short courses, Mentoring and Development and Foundations in Career Development Practice.

Leah is a professional member of the Career Development Association Australia (CDAA), a Certified Retirement Coach and is Board Certified as a Career Management Fellow with the Institute of Career Certification.

Leah Shmerling can be contacted here

 

Category: Careers, News, Transition

Primary Sidebar

Our Office

Our counselling services are conveniently located in South Melbourne 3km from the city, close to public transport, with off street parking.

Office Address
Level 4, 150 Albert Road
South Melbourne 3205

Contact Us

  • Monday to Friday 8am-6pm
    Evening appointment upon request
  • info@careercoachingandtraining.com.au
logo-footer

CAREER COUNSELLING • COACHING
AVAILABLE BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS
RESUME, COVER LETTER AND LINKED IN CHECKS

Enrol now
Contact us now
© careercoachingandtraining.com.au
Privacy Policy | Terms of Access | Terms of Use

Career Coaching and Training

ENQUIRE NOW

  • We have a number of Strategic Alliance Partnerships so would be grateful if you could help us by advising where you heard about us?
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Career Coaching and Training

Enrolment Form

  • We have a number of strategic partnerships. We would be grateful if you could please tell us how you heard about us. Thank you.