Create a Career Transition Plan

Here is all the information you need to build your own Career Transition Plan.  Most people will have many careers in their lives, but fail to put together a Career Transition Plan.  Here are the elements of a Career Transition Plan:

• Values – what are the things that are most important to you?
• Work Interests and Needs – what are those things that interest you most, and what are those things you absolutely need in a career choice?
• Strengths and Stretch – what are the strengths you can leverage, and what are skills you need to develop?
• Skills and Experience – what skills and accomplishment do you bring to a new career?
• What should I do?

Values

In the context of a Career Transition Plan, we use a literal definition of the term “values” – what are the things that are most important to you?

• Someone who understands her values and is self-aware knows where she is headed and why.
• She will be willing to turn down a job offer that does not fit with her principles or values.
• She will be better able to resist taking an opportunity for the wrong reasons – such as making more money.
• People who mesh decisions about work with their personal values find work enjoyable and fulfilling.

There is a list of values to help start your thinking in this area in the Career Transition Plan Workbook.

Work Interests and Needs

There may be things that you particularly like about your current work, and there may be minimum requirements that must be met.  An important part of your Career Transition Plan is to articulate these things:

• What do I like about my current job?
• What do I not like about my current job?
• What do I like to do when I’m not at work?
• Who do I like to surround myself with?
• Are there any “non-negotiables” when comes to career choices (travel, minimum salary amounts etc.)

Strengths and Stretch

Everybody brings certain skills and development opportunities to their career.  You need to articulate these as part of your Career Transition Plan:

• What do I do really well?
• What are areas that I can do but take some effort?
• What do I suck at?

Skills and Experience

To be able to describe your skills and experiences in a meaningful way is a critical part of a Career Transition Plan.  Ensure to frame the answers to these questions in a way that speaks to a prospective employer:

• What have I done?
• What have I accomplished?
• What am I most proud of?
• How have I added value?

Other Factors to Consider as Part of Your Career Transition Plan

• Where do you want to live?
• How much do you need to make?
• What are the current job market conditions?

What should I do?

• Nothing.  You may decide your best option is not to make any change – just make sure this is a decision, and not a default position because you’ve failed to identify your options.
• Move up.
• Move across.  Lateral moves should be considered if they can help you advance your career goals.
• Move out.  Sometimes you may have to part ways with an employer if your goals, and their plans for you no longer align.
• Consult.  Many people take on consulting role once they are done working in a job full time.
• Retire.
• Start your own business.
• Take a job to get a job.

Three Things to Remember About Career Transition Plans:

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of values.
2. Balance chasing your dream and being realistic.
3. Be courageous and true to yourself.

The Career Transition Plan Workbook

We’ve put together a simple downloadable worksheet that will walk you through the different decisions that we’ve talked about today.

• You’ve lost your job
• You’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job
• You’re ready for a career change

Watch the ‘3-Minute Crash Course’ about creating a Career Transition Plan (CLICK THE ARROW TO START THE VIDEO):

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