6 lessons learnt from those who have made big career changes

These are all themes I’ve uncovered through my guests on my A-Maze-Ing Career podcast, all whom have made big career shifts. But concepts like maximising your network are also covered in career change books such as ‘Working Identity’. I share some here to help you take a first step to making the right change for you. 

• Skills like the right mindset, willingness to learn and showing up are hard to teach, and therefore definitely transferable.
• You don’t always think of skills as being transferable because you just do them, but for others they’re not so obvious. You will always be able to add value because you’re you.

• The closer a role to your true values the easier the sell. Authenticity makes the conversation very easy.
• Remember when you’ve had those interviews that didn’t really feel like interviews, when they felt more like a conversation? Well, that’s often because you’re able to be your true, authentic self.
• We all have many versions of ourselves, the work version is just one of them. But what does that best work version of myself look like? Understanding that so you can truly lean into it is vital.

• Your network is probably your greatest, and least recognised asset. It costs nothing financially to leverage, and it can bring you value more quickly than working through “colder” approaches of people who don’t know you.
• But then be open when others ask you for help!

• Careers in today’s world are no longer just upwards, they can be T-Shaped or W/V-shaped 
• The decision you’re making today might feel like it’s a big decision, but actually it’s only a decision for the next step. 
• What’s important is momentum, not standing still.

• In every work interaction, if you’re the person who is a good citizen, thinking about what’s best for their team as well as for themselves you are creating an environment where you have many other people looking out for you, on top of you looking out for yourself. 

• For some people |I’ve worked with they’ve relocated across the world and had to take a leap in a new culture, for others they’ve taken the plunge and followed passions that led them to start their own businesses. For others it’s been leaving a well-established career for what might look like relative insecurity.  
• But no one has regretted that move – and remember, you’re only taking a step for the next step – nothing is forever, no feeling is final. 

I look forward to hearing about your new career.