1. Your life is much bigger than your job
I understand that many of you are currently navigating a job search. Before we talk about the job, I invite you to think about what comes after work. Outside of your work, how would you like to improve your life through this transition? Who else in your life may be affected by the transition? Having a sense of purpose and meaning beyond work can help us navigate periods of uncertainty and change.
A new phase of life may come with a new perspective and a new sense of self. Until now, your identity might have been primarily linked to your role at work and the success associated with it, but beyond your work, who are you? During your lifetime, your jobs may come and go, but your life is much bigger than your job. A career transition is an excellent opportunity not only to rethink what you do but also to reflect on who you are and who you are becoming.
2. Investing your time and energy where it really matters
A competitive environment can sometimes exacerbate fear of missing out and the urge to pursue whatever opportunities are available. Unfortunately, I sometimes hear people say they are applying for positions they do not genuinely feel passionate about. Being rejected is draining, even if the position wasn't your number one choice. Even if you land a job, if it doesn't align with your current interests and values, you may feel dissatisfied for months or years because of that misalignment.
Career transition requires time, energy, and emotional investment. Each time you apply for a position, it may be worth asking yourself: “Am I interested in this path because it aligns with my current values, interests, and priorities, or simply because I can do the job?” Investing your time and energy in opportunities that genuinely matter to you can make the transition process more meaningful. Even when things don't work out as planned, you may gain clarity, connect with relevant people, and learn and grow from the experience. So, when possible, focus your efforts on opportunities that feel aligned with the direction you want your life and career to take.
3. Understanding yourself and knowing what you want in your life
From time to time, I meet professionals who are always good at getting their next job in the same sector, even though it's no longer what they want to do. I often hear people say, “This is what I have been doing. It is too late to change.” People who do have jobs are not necessarily happy. Just because you have spent many years in one sector or profession does not mean you have to remain there forever. A transition can be an invitation to pause and ask deeper questions: What matters to you now? What kind of life would you like to create in this stage of your life? What are you curious about, and what gives you energy? Our values, priorities, interests, and circumstances evolve over time. What was right for you ten years ago may not be what you need today.
You may think you have invested too much in where you have been, and moving elsewhere may feel like a setback. Consider the opportunity cost of not changing what you are doing now and what opportunities you may be missing in your life. In the long term, you will be good at what you love. People with diverse backgrounds who can bring different perspectives and solutions will be increasingly sought after. Each time you reach a milestone, check whether your vision still aligns with your values. Be open to learning more about yourself and exploring new opportunities along the way. Overall, think about who you want to be, rather than defining yourself by a job title.
4. There is often more than one way to live your values
I often hear from people in the international impact sector that transitioning to the private sector or a position in their home country can feel like some sort of failure. On the other hand, I’ve also encountered professionals who successfully transitioned to life in their home country. Many said they were grateful, had no regrets about their past international careers, and that their transition back home was also positive. They framed their transitions as positive change, intentionally planned for them, and made them a positive experience.
If your identity and motivation are primarily attached to the specific organizations, titles, positions, and financial and social status that come with it, then when these organizations and positions disappear, you will feel you have nowhere to go, even though someone with your skill set and experiences may be needed elsewhere.
You do not have to limit yourself to a single goal and a linear progression toward it. There is often more than one way to live your values. If your motivations are deeply rooted in your values and a clear vision, and the problem you would like to solve in the world, you will be able to see opportunities beyond those currently available. That may mean creating your own opportunities in current organizations, proposing new projects in other organizations, or starting your own business.
The values you consider important are deeply personal. So, try to define what success in your life means to you on your own terms, not by comparing yourself with others or with what you had in the past.
5. Learning from rejections
Not being selected for the position or being let go from work hurts. Remember, you might have been rejected for or laid off from a specific position, but it does not mean you have been rejected as a person. Organizations choose the candidate who is the best fit for the specific context. Maybe they were impressed by your experience, but the other candidate might be a slightly better fit for the specific position in that context. Or they may have gone with the internal candidate. You were not the best fit for this position at this time in the specific context. Similarly, the reason you were let go of the position is often not because of your performance. Rather, the organization's current needs have shifted. This does not prevent you from keeping in touch and reapplying to the same organization after you gain relevant experience elsewhere, if it is still aligned with your values.
I understand it is hard when the person you are trying to reach out to does not respond. Do not take it personally. You never know what is happening in other people’s careers and lives (even those who appear to have successful careers). You will also be pleasantly surprised to find out that many people are willing to support your career journey. Think long-term and big picture so you are not overly affected by short-term disappointments.
If you have had a positive experience during a job search, networking, or during your tenure at the organization, regardless of the result - rejection, layoff, etc.- try to keep in touch with the person you interacted with (including your former colleagues). We tend to encounter the same people in the impact sector. It is not unusual to meet a person who rejected your candidacy in other contexts. Think of every interaction as a learning opportunity to help you grow and adapt your longer-term career strategies. Focus on building meaningful long-term relationships and maintaining connections, as they can support a more sustainable career and a stronger professional network over time.
6. Closing reflection - Transitioning through life's changes
From now until you retire, the world will keep changing, and you will also change along the way. We are all works in progress. Even when circumstances beyond your control drive a transition, it can offer an opportunity to reflect on your values, priorities, and what truly matters. Career transition is much more than finding “a job” – it can be an opportunity to learn more deeply about yourself and redefine who you want to become in the next chapter of your life.
How can we get started?
I provide career coaching through the Coaching Package for Transitioning Professionals, the Coaching Package for Professional Development, and the Job Search Strategy Session.
Please also visit my related articles:
- “Balancing the present needs and long-term professional goals during illness”
- “Navigating Mid and Late Career Transitions after Many Years Living Abroad”
- ‘’Navigating Transitions - Leaving the Field’’
- “Designing a Fulfilling Retirement Life”
- “Balancing Two Careers - Dual-Career Couples in the International Development / Humanitarian Aid Sector”
- “Career Coaching: Getting clarity for a fulfilling career and life - Making every career transition a positive experience”