Career Change Guidance

In an interview I was asked how my experience could translate to data analytics, I said: "If I can draft legal documents, I can write SQL queries." One of the biggest challenges I faced when changing careers from paralegal to data analyst was being able to explain my transferable skills. How does being a paralegal relate to data analytics?  ✅ Attention to detail - If I can find a tiny comma in a legal document then I can spot inaccurate or missing data.  ✅ Communication - If I can work with high profile clients on legal cases I can work with stakeholders and their needs. ✅ Problem solving - If I could research legal cases then I can figure out how to write a query or create a dashboard. I had the skills to become a data analyst. I just had a difficult time communicating it. But once I figured it out, my interviews went a lot better. ❓ How have you described your transferrable skills in an interview?

Thinking about a career change? Here’s how to actually make it happen, step by step. I’ve spoken with hundreds of people stuck between “I don’t want to do this anymore” and “But where do I even start?” Here’s the truth: Changing careers isn’t about starting over. It’s about repackaging what you already know, and proving you can solve a new set of problems. Here’s how to do it (with examples): 1. Start with your story. What’s pulling you away from your current path—and what’s pulling you forward? ✅ Example: “I’ve spent 6 years in education, but what I really loved was designing systems and learning tools. I’m now pivoting into UX design for edtech.” Make the shift clear and intentional. 2. Identify your transferable skills. You’ve built real value, name it. ✅ Example: Sales → Relationship-building, persuasion, handling objections Ops → Process design, cross-functional collaboration, execution List your strongest 4–6 skills and align them with your new target role. 3. Learn the language of the new industry. Every field has its own lingo. Start speaking it. ✅ Tip: Search 10 job listings in your target role. Write down the top 5 repeated words/phrases. Mirror those in your LinkedIn, resume, and pitch. 4. Rewrite your resume to match the direction, not the past. Lead with relevance, not chronology. ✅ Example: Add a “Career Summary” section: “Operations leader transitioning into product management, with 7+ years leading cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and delivering results.” 5. Build proof fast. Don’t wait to get hired to show your skills. ✅ Options: Freelance Volunteer Build your own project Take a short course and create a case study Demonstrate that you’re not just interested, but also taking action. 6. Apply smart, not just often. Instead of applying everywhere, focus on quality roles in flexible environments. ✅ Pro tip: Use DailyRemote to find legit, remote-friendly roles across industries. It’s especially helpful for career changers who want fresh opportunities and a bit more breathing room. 7. Network with purpose. Start with conversations, not asks. ✅ DM example: “Hi Alex, I saw your post about transitioning into UX. I’m making a similar shift from content strategy. Would love to hear about your journey, no pressure at all.” Career changes take courage. But they’re absolutely possible. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience. Now package it with purpose, and go get what’s next.

A client came to me wanting to make a career change but wasn’t sure where to start. It’s a common spot to be in, especially if you’ve spent years working in one area. You might think, “I should just stick to what I know, right?” Not necessarily… In an earlier post, I talked about the importance of reflecting on “Why” you want to make a change. That’s the starting point. Assuming you’ve done that, what’s next? If your goal is to find purpose and direction in your career, then you should reflect on questions prompted by the Japanese concept of “Ikigai”. 🔹 What do you love to do? 🔹 What are you good at? 🔹What does the world need? 🔹What can you be paid for? Your answers might change over time as you grow and as the world changes too. I’d add a couple more questions to think about: 🔹What are your circumstances? (e.g., financial needs, family needs)  🔹What are your values? (i.e., your non-negotiables) It’s useful to check in with yourself on these questions now and then because your answers will evolve over time. This approach has guided me in making four career pivots. And I loved all of them. Each one helped me discover new passions, develop new skills, and uncover new opportunities. Exploring these questions is like using a compass in your career journey. What questions have helped guide you to leading a fulfilling career and life?

How do you know when it’s time to sail away from your job? ⛵️ I see a lot of “gurus” telling people to quit their job if they’re not 100% happy or totally fulfilled by the work they’re doing. But the talking heads online don’t know your unique situation and they aren’t impacted by your decision. So, how do I guide clients through the noise and determine if it’s time to make a career shift? By helping them: 👉 Understand their current mindset 👉 Identify their future goals 👉 And, then, build a “next steps” path to bridge the gap between the two. One way to do this is by questioning what’s personally important to you in your career or at your current stage of life. For myself, I ask three questions to assess whether I’m in the right role: 1. Am I learning? 🌱 2. Am I making a difference? ✅ 3. Am I having fun? 💚 It’s okay if your questions are different or if they evolve and change over time. The important thing is to know what’s important to YOU. What questions would you ask?

Turn your performance review frustrations into your next big opportunity: Your manager tells you you did a great job despite: — Losing resources — Lowered budgets — Higher targets to hit You worked your a** off. But it's okay. You know it will pay off. This is YOUR moment. But what you actually get: ↳  A rating of "Meets expectations" ↳  3% merit increase You're left frustrated, devalued. Your confidence at an all-time low. You want to immediately rage quit. That might feel good for a second. But then what? *Pause. Deep breath.* Hold it together. We'll get through this. 1. Reflect. First, take a step back. Give yourself the space to fully process your emotions. It sucks. You put in so much time and effort with little reward. Time to ask yourself: → Is this where I want to be? → Is it going to go where I want it to? → Am I happy if nothing ever changed? → Does this work align with my values? 2. Prepare. Depending on how you answered, it will involve some planning and preparation for the next step. Perhaps, you've decided on: → A career break → A new job entirely → A career/industry pivot No matter what it is, you can create a step-by-step plan to get to that next destination. 3. Transition You have your plan. You're following it. You can still experience fear of the uncertainty, the newness, the change. This is when the right support can help immensely. This could be: → A mentor → A specialized coach → A group with a similar transition No matter how disheartening a situation could be, understand that sometimes there is something greater waiting on the other side of adversity. You just need the right plan and to follow the steps.

😩 "After 20 years, I don't know how much longer I can stand the stress of this job." - How do you advise someone who makes this intense statement? Evidence suggests they could stand the stress longer - since they’ve been grinding it out for 20 years - but why would they? Is a change of role the best solution? The stay-or-go dilemma obscures an important, deeper inquiry into what we need - in the current role or in any future scenario. A change of scenery might bring temporary relief, but you’ll probably find the old ghosts haunting the new house. Start by asking, "What needs to be different now?" Begin with a clear-eyed assessment of what's causing your stress and diminishing your fulfillment. Is it the workload, the team dynamics, the lack of creative freedom, or perhaps the alignment (or misalignment) with your values? Then: - Check Yourself: Could you be managing your time more effectively, setting healthier boundaries, or developing resilience? How might you evolve to meet the challenges of your role differently? - Make Adjustments: Can you modify your current role to better suit your needs and strengths? Delegate certain tasks, focus more on projects that light you up, or even explore a new position that better utilizes your talents? - Communicate: Talk to your manager and team. Discuss your needs, your vision for a more balanced work life, and how these changes could benefit everyone. Chances are good that they will all feel similarly. - Be Open to All Outcomes: Your journey may lead to the realization that a new environment is necessary for growth. If so, the work you've done will help align your next role more closely with your needs for fulfillment and balance. The goal is to craft the conditions for your choice to thrive, whether that's in your current role or elsewhere. It's a powerful declaration (to yourself and others) that you expect—and deserve—more from your work: more fulfillment, less stress, and a life that feels balanced and meaningful. ⚖ #careerchange #worklifebalance #professionalgrowth #stressmanagement #executivecoaching #mindfulleadership

In my last post, I talked about what happens when your career just stops translating. You keep applying, no one’s hiring, your experience becomes irrelevant overnight. That happened to me. And when I stopped forcing it and started listening to what I already knew deep down, things started moving. I didn’t change careers because I wanted to reinvent myself. I changed because I couldn’t do it anymore. I was done. My system was done. That’s how I started using what I now call the kinetic test. It’s based on kinesiology research and is just a way to stop lying to yourself. If you're in a place where you're not sure whether to keep pushing in your field or change direction completely, try this. It’s fast and simple, and for most people, surprisingly clear. How to do it: Stand up. Eyes closed. Breathe a few times. Just enough to get quiet. Say out loud: “I’m going to keep applying for jobs in this industry. I know I’ll land something.” Notice what your body does. Subtle things. Do you feel steady, pulled forward, grounded—or do you feel drained, tight, slightly off-balance? Now say the opposite: “I’m done with this industry. I’m pivoting.” Same thing. Check the body’s reaction. Not what your brain says. Your felt reaction. Most people are shocked by how obvious the answer is. This is not a perfect decision-making tool. But if you’re running in circles, stuck between “just keep trying” and “maybe it’s over,” it cuts through the noise. If both options feel bad, you’re burned out. If one feels worse, that’s your signal. If staying makes your body tense or tired, it probably means the chapter is done, even if you’re still holding on mentally. I use this with clients all the time. Especially the high performers who are too smart for their own good and can argue both sides endlessly. The body doesn’t argue. It just reacts. Try it. Don’t overthink it. And let me know what did you find out.

I had the dream career, so why did it feel so empty? I always assumed career success boiled down to three things: - Making great money - Working for a prestigious company - Doing challenging work This path led me to my job at Amazon. On paper, I'd won the career lottery. But, internally, I struggled. I felt I *should* be satisfied, but I had this unsettling feeling that something was missing… The money brought validation but the excitement quickly wore off. Scoring a job in FAANG made me feel accomplished but didn’t fulfill me day-to-day. And, no matter how challenging the work, I eventually adapted. The interesting problems became routine. So kept moving on - new teams, projects, companies. All in pursuit of deeper satisfaction. Throughout my journey, I got glimpses of the feeling I’d been pursuing. A new work project that gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Delivering healthcare supplies during COVID energized me, knowing I could help save lives. The feeling of deep pride as I watched my mentees grow as engineers and get promoted. There was a thread connecting these moments I couldn’t quite grasp. Until it hit me - I had been 'doing' my career, not 'being' in it. Focused on goals over purpose. Success felt hollow without expressing what was meaningful to me. The Japanese call this 𝙞𝙠𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙞 - discovering your life purpose. Ikigai exists at the intersection of doing what you love, using your gifts, meeting a need, and getting paid for it. When I learned to express my ikigai at work - using my skills to help others - everything changed. Mundane tasks like writing documentation took on a deeper meaning, knowing it would help others grow. I approached challenges with more patience and resilience. So how do you find your ikigai? Start by asking yourself: → What energizes and excites you? → What makes you lose track of time when you do it? → What talents can you share to help others? → Where do you find joy and meaning? Finding your ikigai is a lifelong journey. One where you get to build your life with passion, intentionality and meaning. Try new roles and projects that excite you. Build things that help people. See what sparks joy and purpose. Every small step towards your purpose will unleash more energy and fulfillment.

A career change is scary. I've made several industry pivots throughout my career from fitness manager : staffing professional : construction : financial planning. Were these changes easy? Not at all, but as they say, the most rewarding journeys rarely are. I did it scared and learned and grew in each of these transitions. Here are some things I considered as I thought through a change: -Passion First: I asked myself, "What truly ignites my passion?" Passion is the driving force behind fulfillment. -Living by Values: I pondered my personal values and whether I could live by them in a new industry. Aligning with your values is crucial for lasting satisfaction. -Long-term Vision: I envisioned where I wanted to be in 5, 10, or 15 years personally, professionally and financially. I questioned whether my current path or the new opportunity could get me there. -Excitement Factors: Beyond job titles and industries, I identified what specific factors would genuinely excite me about the next phase of my career. -Happy Moments: Reflecting on times when I was genuinely happy, I thought about what I was doing and what contributed to that happiness and how I might get that in a new role. If you're contemplating a change, I encourage you to define your needs for the next chapter. This will empower you to have more focused conversations and interviews. Embrace the journey, and remember, the path to something great often starts with a step into the unknown. 🌟 #CareerChange #Passion #Values #Journey

Updating your “Teacher” language to “Corporate” language series continues! 🎉Here's part 8! I’ve reviewed hundreds of teacher resumes and because I see this a lot I figured it time to start a series of examples for you all 😊 Go back to review parts 1-7! This next example is great for all #transitioningteachers who have skills related to technology integration, digital resource management, and problem-solving. These skills are transferable to roles that involve digital transformation, technology implementation, or process optimization. Lets go! 🔠Educator Task: "Implemented innovative technology tools and digital resources to enhance instructional delivery and student engagement in the classroom." 📣Adapted for a Corporate Role: "Utilized cutting-edge technology solutions and digital platforms to optimize business operations and client interactions." Breakdown of Transferable Skills: ⭐️ Technology Integration: Demonstrates proficiency in leveraging technology tools or platforms to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive innovation in educational or professional settings. ⭐️ Digital Resource Management: Shows the ability to curate, implement, and manage digital resources or tools effectively, enhancing access to information and facilitating collaboration or communication. ⭐️ Problem-Solving: Highlights the skill of identifying challenges or opportunities, exploring technological solutions, and implementing strategies to address them, fostering continuous improvement and adaptation. ⭐️ Adaptability: In both educational and corporate contexts, this involves being flexible and open to embracing new technologies, methodologies, or practices to enhance performance and outcomes. Please take this and apply it to your resume if the experience aligns! Want more personalized resume help? Comment “resume” to get the conversation started. Talk soon🚀