4 steps to your career overhaul

At some point, we’ve all questioned whether we’ve picked the right work path. We’ve all experienced being entrenched in a career that just doesn’t feel right. We’ve all felt less-than-fulfilled by a job or questioned our purpose and wondered whether it’s time for a drastic change. And those messy-feeling moments of outgrowing past versions of self are an important part of being human.

Here’s the truth: though change can feel uncomfortable, and growth can feel impossible, and it may feel like you’re stuck where you are, there is always a way forward. There are endless opportunities out there, and one of them (or maybe several!) will be a fit for you.

Change can be challenging and feel sticky, but there are steps to make it smoother: knowing yourself, understanding where opportunities lie, deciding where you want to be, and defining your path to get there. Here’s our career overhaul roadmap:

First: Get to know you.

How would you describe yourself to someone you’ve never met? I wonder if most of us have even sat down to try. But beyond the surface facts about you (like what car you drive or whether you’re a cat person or how you drink your coffee) there are things that matter a lot, and those things are important to articulate.

Your likes and dislikes, your skills, triggers, motivators, values, your interpersonal style, and where you find “flow”. Identifying who you are at your core and what attributes makes you unique is the first step in aligning that true self with your career self.

Second: Identify opportunities

When you’ve gained a deeper understanding of yourself, the next move is to identify what kinds of opportunities are out there. This is where you get to do some digging, and investigate industries and careers that might be a fit based on the self-knowledge you’ve already gained, and the tasks and responsibilities you’ve enjoyed in the past. Educate yourself, and then pay attention to your intuition! This is your time to research, dream, and imagine yourself in different roles.

Third: Define your path

Once you’ve narrowed down your career revamp shortlist, it’s time to take an objective look at the different options you’ve identified. You’re in the driver’s seat! This is where you get to make choices based on how closely those options align with your core criteria, and where you get to define how you’re going to create the path to get there. This step might involve analyzing the job market, identifying personal skills or education gaps, and identifying the tangible, do-able steps it will take to achieve your goals.

Last: Put it in action

This is where the rubber hits the road. You’ve identified where you want to be, you’ve planned out how to get there, now it’s a matter of executing. Reaching out to your network, launching job search tools, or obtaining additional education might all be part of this step. Bringing all your dreams and planning to fruition is where you get to be brave, develop the resilience to overcome any obstacles that come up, and ultimately start off on the bold path ahead  

So, there it is. Four simple steps to career reinvention. We know it’s easier said than done to reinvent yourself professionally, but this is our jam, you’re not alone, and we’re here to be your champions in whatever ways we can.

Our take: Asking for help when you don’t know where to start is heroic. Building your support team to hold you accountable is brave. Taking the first steps to seize your happy and move your life forward is bold.