5 Lessons for a Successful Career Transition (With Real-World Examples & Frameworks)

Switching lanes in your career? Learn from real-life examples of people who’ve successfully changed career paths.

Some people know what career they want from a young age, while others take their time figuring out their path. And that’s okay because growth isn’t linear – everyone’s journey looks different. If you’re considering switching careers but keep second-guessing yourself – you’re not alone. 

This week in Employable, we’ve broken down things to consider when switching careers, plus tools that make the transition smoother and real-life examples of people who’ve bit the bullet! 

Lesson #1: Work-Life Balance is a Myth - Find What Works for You Best 

Life is a spectrum and we can only feel fulfilled when our work and personal life are in harmony. But that’s not always the case, especially when you feel your career isn’t fulfilling enough. Finding the right balance starts with finding the right job. Here are some tips inspired by the Ikigai Framework to help you find the coveted “sweet spot” of your life.. 

Real-life example: Giorgio Armani. Armani 

You know the name Giorgio Armani, right? The famous fashion designer? Well, here's a fun fact: fashion wasn't his first gig. He studied medicine for three years and ended up joining the army working for the Military Hospital in Verona.

He worked his way up from a window dresser to becoming a seller in the menswear department until eventually he joined the Nino Cerruti company, where he started designing menswear. 

He launched his own brand, Armani in 1975. By 2001, he'd become Italy's most successful designer, making a whopping $1.6 billion annually and accumulating a personal fortune of $8.5 billion by 2013. 

Sometimes, you get it right on the second try.

The Ikigai Framework

The Ikigai framework is a Japanese concept that represents the intersection of four elements: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that loosely translates to “reason for being”.

 Here’s how to apply the Ikigai framework to find the best career path for you. 

Step 1 - Follow Your Heart: Start by making a list of things that make you excited and happy.

Step 2 - Make a Difference: Think about what bugs you in the world – what could use some fixing?

Step 3 - Show Off Your Talents: What are you good at? What do you naturally rock at?

Step 4 - Pay the Bills: Look into jobs that keep the lights on and the fridge stocked.

Step 5 - Find Your Sweet Spot: Combine all those good things together and see where they overlap. That's your Ikigai – your purpose.

Lesson #2: Don’t Fall into the Analysis Paralysis Trap 

Switching careers and starting over can be daunting. You don’t want to make any decisions on a whim but you also don’t want to live the rest of your life wondering, what if? Overthinking without taking any action will keep you from taking any decision at all.

Real life example: Anna Crowe, Crowe PR

Anna Crowe, CEO of Crowe PR, started her career in public accounting as a staff auditor, later venturing into senior marketing roles. However, she decided to pivot and start her own PR agency that worked with startups and several Fortune 500 companies in the technology, hospitality, sports & fitness and apparel categories.

Anna overcame analysis paralysis by weighing the pros and cons of switching careers. She realized that the worst that could happen if she failed was falling back to her career. But the best thing would be that in the long run, she was building something for herself that motivated her to get out of bed every morning and be happy! 

The 10-10-10 Decision rule

To make the right decision, the 10-10-10 decision making rule can certainly help. It’s a rule that helps you evaluate the short and long term consequences of your choices. 

Here’s a notion template that helps you apply the 10-10-10 Decision Rule followed by some tips:

1. What's the Decision: Consider your choice and its consequences.

2. 10 Minutes: Think about how you'll feel about the decision in 10 minutes.

3. 10 Months: Reflect on how you'll feel in 10 months about the decision.

4. 10 Years: Imagine the impact of your choice on your life in 10 years.

5. Decide with Perspective: Make your choice with a long-term view, not just the immediate moment.

Lesson #3: Start Networking from Scratch 

You need to connect with people from the relevant field so you can: 

• Get insights about your preferred career 

• Learn from their experience 

• Evaluate what skills you need to develop 

• Get the right opportunities 

Sometimes, it’s all about who you know. 

Real life example: Usama Nini, Qureos 

Usama Naeem Nini is the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Qureos and was once the strategic force behind SWVL's global expansion in UAE, Jordan, and KSA. He double-majored in Mathematics and Business Administration and started his career as an accountant at SVCH. 

Usama met Alex Epure, CEO and co-founder of Qureos, at SWVL where even though their roles were different, their vision aligned perfectly. Despite his introverted demeanor, Usama made a real connection with Alex because he was open, honest and transparent about his personal goals and aspirations. Together, they co-founded Qureos, an AI recruitment platform that accelerates careers by connecting employers to professionals in the UAE. 

Actionable tips from Usama:

1. Hit Up Industry Events: Go to gatherings related to your new field. It's where pros hang out.

2. Get Social Online: Use the right platforms to make connections. Networking isn't just about shaking hands anymore.

3. Make real connections: Don’t chase social capital. Build genuine connections with people by being authentic and kind. 

4. Join the Club: Become part of associations or groups in your new industry. They're like goldmines for contacts. Check out our community of professionals to expand your network. 

5. Give Before You Get: Be helpful to others. Building good relationships is a two-way street.

Lesson #4: Just Because You’re Good at Something, Doesn’t Mean It’ll Bring You Joy  

Your happiness is not directly proportional to your performance at work. You might be really good at your job, or a hobby but when it doesn’t fulfill you, is it really worth it? 

Do a SWOT analysis to figure out what you’re good at and whether there are any tangible opportunities to follow your dreams realistically. This will also help you analyze which transferable skills you already have and what areas to improve on. Sometimes, the answer is right in front of you, but you just need the right perspective. 

Real life example: Rina Einy, Culthread 

Former professional tennis player Rina Einy spent the first part of her life playing tennis after representing Great Britain in the 1988 Olympics. But soon after she realized that while she was great at playing tennis, she had already proved herself in the courts. 

She wanted instead, to build a career where she could rely on her other strengths. She studied at the London School of Economics to build her skills and landed a trading role at JP Morgan on Wall Street. She now serves as Managing Director for Textyle International and Founder of Culthread London.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to assess the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of any situation.

Here’s how to do one if you’re planning on switching careers:

• Your Strengths: Start by listing what you're really good at – the things that make you awesome.

• Your Not-So-Strengths: Be honest about your weak spots – the skills or experiences that need work.

• Your Big Break Opportunities: Hunt down cool chances in your new field, like job openings or trends. Maybe you have leads on a project that can showcase your skills? 

• Nasty Threats: Think about what could mess up your plans - challenges, competition, or changes in the industry.

• Mix It Up: Put all this info together, and get a clear roadmap of your career switch. 

Lesson #5: Do Every Job Well - Even If You Don’t Like It 

Toni Morrison once said, “Whatever job you do, do it well – not for the boss but for yourself.”

The thing that keeps us going isn’t motivation, it’s discipline. Even when you change careers and get a job you love, you’ll need the discipline of working hard and showing up consistently to be successful. 

Real-life example: Stephen King, Best-Selling Author

Stephen King started his career as a janitor because he faced several financial struggles and rejections as a writer. However, he didn't give up. He continued to hone his craft, writing and submitting stories for publication while doing industrial labor. 

King's turning point came when his novel "Carrie" was accepted for publication. The book's success marked the beginning of a prolific writing career that would see him become one of the most famous authors in the world. 

Keep pushing yourself and be open to challenges so you don’t give up on your dreams. Upskilling opportunities are an excellent way to expand your horizons and explore your interests. So, let's embrace change as a natural part of our professional journeys. 

Have a great week and stay Qureos! 

Check out our other blogs for similar valuable advice: 

1. Top 5 Newsletters for Young Graduates 

2. The Highest Paying Tech Jobs 

3. How to Write An ATS Friendly Resume 

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt? Let us know in the comments!