Switch Careers Smoothly

BursaSnipers

Publish date: Sat, 29 Sep 2018, 02:20 PM

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2 Some lucky go-getters pursue a lifelong passion. Their career choice is never in question. They know exactly what they want to do with their professional life — and they love every minute of it.

But for many people, one career is not enough. At some point, they grow restless and realize they want to dive into a new discipline or turn a favorite hobby into a viable source of income.

When mid- or late-career executives decide to recalibrate their goals, perils lurk around every corner.

These executives can wind up regretting a job switch after it’s too late. Or they might develop a newfound appreciation for what they gave up. To navigate a successful career transition:

Stay in the game. If you can afford to take time off, do so. But don’t overdo it or you might struggle to re-enter the working world.

“Put some distance between what you were doing and what you will be doing, but not too much,” said John Taft, vice chairman of Baird, a wealth management firm. He was chief executive of RBC Wealth Management from 2005 to 2016.

Now 63, Taft spent the first month after leaving his CEO post in an unfamiliar role, wondering what to do next. He took the summer off and then began networking.

“I stayed in the flow as much as possible,” he recalled. “I told people, ‘I’m looking at options and I’d love to pick your brain.’ ”

Craft your storyline. Succinctly describe your career arc and your goals. Weave them into a narrative that’s simple, memorable and easy to follow.

“Have a hypothesis that you can explain to people,” Taft said. “But it has to be flexible.”

He told others that he was taking a sabbatical and didn’t intend to retire for good. This helped him — and his network — frame his situation and explore potentially rewarding opportunities.

Wait to pounce. If you’re unaccustomed to idleness, it’s tempting to leap at the first offer that comes your way. But a little patience can pay off in the long run.

“Don’t jump at opportunities just because somebody is interested in you,” Taft warned. “Just because an opportunity is there doesn’t mean it’s the right one. A mentor told me, ‘Don’t swing at the first pitch.’ ”

Adjust your attitude. Once you reach a certain age, you might fear that your best years are behind you. If your career stalls out, beware of lapsing into negative thinking.

“It’s easy to think, ‘Nobody wants me. I’m too old,’ ” said Mark James, founder and president of Hire Consulting Services in San Diego, Calif. “It’s better to think, ‘There are so many opportunities for somebody with my experience. It’s a buffet out there.’ ”

Replicate your triumphs. When you’re at a career crossroads, set new goals based on past victories. Look for ways to harness your strengths and relive moments of professional glory.

“Reflect on your big wins and how they made you feel,” said James, author of “Keys to the C Suite.” “Then think of how you can do that again,” perhaps as a consultant or executive-for-hire.

Survey your peers. Solicit input from colleagues who know you well. Invite them to offer insight into what you should do next.

“It’s hard to be objective about yourself,” said Nada Norval, senior vice president of Ratliff & Taylor, a talent management consultancy in Cleveland, Ohio. She suggests asking them questions such as, “What’s my best skill?” and “What do you think I do really well?”

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