It was undoubtedly one of the most challenging phases of my professional life.
From an external perspective, I was successful. Employed in a reputable company, multiple promotions under my belt, a mortgage, work-related travel, and promising career prospects lay ahead.
However, internally, a profound sense of dissatisfaction gnawed at me. My work was no longer enjoyable; I felt my potential was untapped, and a deep yearning arose to feel that my work had a meaningful impact – on someone, somewhere.
Yet, the path forward was shrouded in mist. I had been wrestling with this desire for change for years, but progress remained elusive.
Eventually, as you’ll discover, I navigated my way out of this career quagmire. But the journey was far from straightforward.
These are the crucial lessons I gleaned along the way, forming a kind of “restart career step program” in retrospect.
Understanding the Core Challenges in Career Restarts
If you’re feeling trapped in your career change journey, you’re likely facing three fundamental challenges – or paradoxes – that often stall progress.
1. You Are Both the Driver and the Roadblock to Your Career Change
In the depths of my career dissatisfaction, the signs were everywhere that I was on the wrong path. I felt a sense of shame when discussing my job at social gatherings. The prospect of assuming my boss’s role, or even her superior’s, was uninspiring. The fear of reaching retirement age with a career I wasn’t proud of was palpable.
Day-to-day, a pervasive numbness settled in. The work felt meaningless, uninspiring, and I was trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of waking up to the same unfulfilling routine.
Simultaneously, I was completely lost about what alternative career paths to pursue (or whether those ideas were even realistic) – and utterly clueless about where to even begin.
Looking back, I now recognize a critical blind spot: my limited perspective on the world of work. My understanding was largely confined to the industry I was currently in. I had superficial knowledge of a few other careers, but countless fields and roles remained completely off my radar.
Fear also played a significant role. I was apprehensive about a potential salary reduction, worried about the opinions of family and friends, and resistant to losing the status I had worked diligently to achieve.
These weren’t external barriers; they were internal obstacles. My own lack of awareness and my deeply ingrained fears were the primary forces holding me back.
Does this resonate with your experience? Are you finding that your biggest hurdles in restarting your career are actually within yourself?
2. Analysis Paralysis: Thinking Alone Won’t Solve Your Career Puzzle
As a knowledge worker, my profession revolved around thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Why, then, was I unable to decipher my own career dilemma?
My initial strategy was to retreat into isolation after work, bury myself under blankets, and endlessly ruminate about potential career shifts.
This approach yielded no breakthroughs.
I devoured every career change book I could find, relentlessly searched the internet for guidance, and completed numerous personality and skills assessments.
Yet, clarity remained elusive.
The simple truth is this: if the solution to your career change resided solely in more analysis – in creating more lists, reading more books, taking more psychometric tests, or simply overthinking in your head – you would have already found it by now. Sometimes, the answer lies outside of pure intellectualization.
3. Job Boards and Recruiters Aren’t Designed for Career Restarters
When I first decided to explore different career avenues, recruitment consultants seemed like the logical starting point.
They enthusiastically presented me with opportunities at competitor companies or similar roles in smaller organizations.
But these prospects left me indifferent.
It was simply more of the same. I was seeking a radical departure, and traditional recruiters were ill-equipped to assist.
Perhaps you’ve spent countless hours scrolling through online job boards, setting up job alerts, only to feel increasingly disheartened by the recurring realization that you lack the specific experience or skills listed in job descriptions. Or perhaps you’ve had similar unproductive experiences with recruitment consultants. You might have even sent out your CV/résumé for positions in different fields, hoping to at least secure an initial interview. But to no avail.
These are inherent limitations of a conventional job market that is not structured to support career changers.
Through no fault of your own, you are unlikely to be a competitive candidate against individuals who already possess direct experience and skills in the new field you’re aiming to enter. The traditional job market often prioritizes linear career paths, not career pivots.
Alt text: A woman sits at her desk looking confused, surrounded by papers, symbolizing the feeling of being lost and overwhelmed when trying to restart a career.
Effective Strategies for a Successful Career Restart Program
Solutions exist for each of these paradoxes, but they are likely unconventional and not immediately obvious (they certainly weren’t for me initially). A real “restart career step program” involves shifting your approach.
1. Embrace Collaboration: Restart Your Career with Others, Not in Isolation
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller.
The most significant obstacle I faced in my career transition was inertia. I desired change, yet I was hesitant to jeopardize the security of my current job.
I existed in a state of “comfortable discomfort.”
I’d experience bursts of motivation to address my career dissatisfaction, followed by periods where I’d get caught up in the routine of ‘life,’ only to resurface weeks or months later and realize that nothing had actually changed.
Meaningful progress only began when I intentionally surrounded myself with a supportive network.
I started seeking out colleagues within my company who also felt the urge to make a career change. I invested in not one, but two career coaches. And I made a conscious effort to meet and socialize with people from diverse backgrounds and professions (one of whom ultimately connected me with a job I truly loved – more on that later).
The collective impact was transformative: exposure to fresh perspectives, valuable connections, and a sense of accountability – all of which, finally, propelled me forward.
Think of your career restart as an expedition, not a day trip.
If you were embarking on a climb to Mount Everest base camp, while technically possible to do solo, it’s highly probable you would choose to go with a team – peers, a guide, a support crew. It makes the journey safer, faster, and, frankly, much more enjoyable and sustainable. Building a support system is a crucial step in any effective career restart program.
2. Action Over Analysis: “Act It Out,” Don’t Just “Figure It Out”
“Ideas occur when dissimilar universes collide.” – Seth Godin.
My career change journey spanned four and a half years before I successfully transitioned out of a career that wasn’t right for me.
For the majority of that time, I was ensnared in analysis paralysis.
As a career coach wisely pointed out to me, “Richard, it’s as if you’re standing in a forest with multiple paths ahead of you. But you’re frozen, paralyzed by the fear of choosing the wrong path. The real challenge is: if you don’t commit to any path, you’ll never escape the forest. Taking a path, even if it’s not initially the perfect one, allows you to adjust course as you go.”
When I shifted from excessive analysis to taking action, things began to shift.
Here are some specific actions I took as part of my personal “restart career step program”:
I enrolled in a part-time journalism course. While I enjoyed it, it quickly became apparent that journalism wasn’t the right career path for me.
I shadowed a friend working in public relations for half a day. I also spent time with a friend who was a Japanese yen bond trader at an investment bank. Both were fascinating worlds, but neither resonated as a long-term career fit.
Notice the common thread: I was actively engaging with different professional environments.
As Seth Godin suggests, I was stepping into “dissimilar universes” – sparking new ideas and, equally importantly, eliminating possibilities, rather than letting them linger as unresolved questions in my mind. This process of active exploration is key to a dynamic career restart program.
I was also testing out these potential paths in a way that allowed me to remain in my current job while exploring alternatives, mitigating risk and allowing for a more measured career change process. This aligns with the “lean career change” approach, which emphasizes iterative exploration and minimizing disruption.
Ultimately, through an introduction from my future sister-in-law, Sarah, I visited the offices of a social start-up – and within minutes, I had a profound sense of connection, realizing I had found something that genuinely aligned with my values and aspirations.
Had I simply seen the organization’s website or a job advertisement, I might have never recognized the strong connection I felt. But experiencing the team dynamics, observing the work environment, and sensing the energy of the place made the opportunity tangible and compelling.
In essence: action precedes clarity, not the other way around. A successful career restart program is built on doing, not just thinking.
Alt text: Three professionals in a modern office engage in a relaxed conversation around a table, illustrating the importance of networking and in-person connections for career exploration.
3. Focus on People, Not Just Job Titles: Network Your Way to a New Career
“Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for a person.” – Ben Casnocha.
Job sites, recruitment consultants, CVs/résumés, and online searches all have their place in a career change. However, they shouldn’t be your primary starting point.
Instead, prioritize building connections with people.
The power of face-to-face interactions lies in your ability to present your whole self – something a CV or résumé simply cannot convey.
As an introvert, large networking events aren’t my forte. However, I am comfortable with one-on-one meetings and phone conversations.
So, that’s the approach I adopted – reaching out to individuals in roles that sparked my interest.
It took time, and there were numerous “dead ends,” but ultimately, this people-centric strategy led me to a role in a field I hadn’t even known existed previously. This personal networking is a cornerstone of an effective career restart program.
Furthermore, this approach allowed me to bypass the rigorous filtering processes inherent in traditional job applications.
Frankly, I wasn’t “qualified” to work at the social start-up that captivated me. But what I did possess was genuine enthusiasm and a strong willingness to learn. These qualities would never have shone through on my CV or résumé.
I didn’t secure the job through a formal application process. I got it by cultivating relationships with people within the organization. I initially offered pro-bono work, which evolved into consultancy projects, and ultimately led to an interview for a full-time position.
Interestingly, I had what I considered the worst interview of my life for that role. My desire for the job was so intense that my mind went blank, I stumbled through the questions, and I left convinced I had completely ruined my chances. Catastrophic, or so I thought. However, because of the strong relationships I had already built with the team, it didn’t matter as much as a first impression might. My established connections and demonstrated commitment outweighed a poor interview performance, and I still landed the job.
Remember: people first, jobs second. In any career restart program, building human connections is paramount.
Your Next Steps: Activating Your Career Restart Program
“To know and not to do is not yet to know.” – Buddhist proverb.
Making a significant career change is not easy – if it were, everyone would be doing it.
But it is absolutely achievable.
Countless success stories demonstrate the reality of career transformation.
And remember, this isn’t solely about your career; it’s about your overall life.
It’s about your daily sense of fulfillment, how that impacts your well-being and relationships, and ultimately, the positive contribution you can make to the world through your work.
The stakes are high.
But they are even higher if you remain passive and do nothing to initiate change.
So, please, don’t simply read this article. Let it be a catalyst for action. Take concrete steps towards restarting your career.
And please, share your progress. What insights have you gained? What actions are you committed to taking? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – let’s build a community of career restarters!
