Creating a Career Change Action Plan

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.

Every major career shift feels uncertain. Until it becomes your best decision. Take it from someone who's lived it more than 3 times. Most transitions feel messy before they make sense. Here are 14 harsh truths about career pivots that no one talks about: (and some actionable steps to help you along) 1. The feedback loop 68% of first pivot attempts need course correction ↳ Treat each "no" as market research. Document feedback and adjust accordingly. 2. The inner circle paradox 71% of successful pivoteers found guidance outside their inner circle ↳ Build crucial relationships of 2-3 industry mentors who've made similar transitions. 3. The credentials crossroad 65-75% of companies prioritize skills over traditional credentials ↳ Create a skills-based resume that highlights transferable capabilities strategically. 4. The age advantage Experience + fresh skills = unique market position ↳ Lead with problem-solving stories that showcase both wisdom and adaptability. 5. The confidence canyon Imposter Syndrome hits sooner rather than later. ↳ Join communities of other pivoteers. You're not alone in this. 6. The pivot plot twist Your 5-year plan will change in 5 months. Successful pivots are iterative, not linear. ↳ Create 90-day action sprints instead of rigid long-term plans. 7. The network reset 40% of your network will disappear. But the 20% who stay become vital connectors. ↳ Identify and nurture relationships with your top 5 industry connectors. 8. The timing trap Ready is a myth, start is reliable ↳ Pick one small action to take within 48 hours toward your pivot. 9. The decision desert Decision fatigue is real but manageable ↳ Create a morning routine that automates your first 5 decisions of the day. 10. The skills shift 30% direct skill transfer, 100% problem-solving transfer ↳ Document 3 major problems you've solved that translate to any role. 11. The identity bridge 4-9 months is the average to rebuild professional confidence ↳ Write your new professional story before you need to tell it. Envision + manifest = reality. 12. The marathon mindset Average pivot: 6 months, not 3 ↳ Break your transition into 6 mini-milestones with specific checkpoints. 13. The obstacle course 88% face 3+ major setbacks ↳ Create a "setback protocol" - three actions you'll take when obstacles hit. 14. The serendipity factor 77% found better unexpected opportunities ↳ Say yes to 1 new connection or opportunity each week. Your next move might not be perfect, but it will take you forward. Which of these seem familiar to you?

Thinking about a career change? It's exciting... ...and overwhelming—especially with ADHD. For me, a job search always felt scary af: ➝ "Where do I even start?" ➝ "What if this doesn't work out?" ➝ "Am I even qualified for any of this?" Sound familiar? My friend, you're not alone. Stress is inevitable, but it shouldn't paralyze you. Here's what's helped me (and my clients) break it down: 1️⃣ Focus on your WHY. Ask yourself: Why do I want this change? ↳ Is it growth? ↳ More flexibility? ↳ Alignment with values? When things seem daunting, get grounded in your WHY. 2️⃣ Break the process into small steps. Instead of "Find a new job," start with smaller steps like: ↳ Research one industry. ↳ Update one section of your resume. ↳ Reach out to two people on LinkedIn for insights. Small wins build momentum (and boost dopamine!). 3️⃣ Harness your ADHD superpowers. Reflect on: What environments let you thrive? ↳ Are you energized by creativity? ↳ Do you excel in high-energy settings? ↳ Is seeing the big picture your strength? Seek out roles that match your talents and reduce unnecessary challenges. 4️⃣ Lean on your support network. Who can help you navigate this journey? ↳ A coach for guidance. ↳ A mentor for perspective. ↳ A friend for encouragement. Collaboration fuels success, especially for ADHD brains. 5️⃣ Practice self-compassion. Remember: Big changes don’t happen overnight. ↳ Celebrate small wins. ↳ Acknowledge your effort. ↳ Focus on progress, not perfection. Every step forward is a step worth celebrating! Achieving your dream is simpler than you think. Start by taking one small, focused step. P.S. Want to avoid overwhelm in your job search? Follow me ➝ David

Doctors are experts at reacting. Emergencies, endless bureaucracy, shifting priorities. But here’s the uncomfortable truth. Reacting is NOT the same as creating. In 2017, I was at my breaking point. Burnt out. Stuck. Unsure if I could keep going. Fast-forward to today: my career is flexible, impactful, and fulfilling. How? Not by waiting for things to change. By creating the change. Here’s what I’ve learned: → Predicting the future doesn’t mean knowing what’s coming ↳  It’s deciding what you want and taking control. → Your skills as a doctor are doors to new opportunities. ↳  But only if you choose to open them. → Waiting for the “perfect moment” often means nothing changes. ↳ So start creating your future with small steps. So How do you start creating your future? 1. Reflect on Your Values → What are your top 3 career non-negotiables (e.g., flexibility, impact)? → Write them down because this is your guide for the next steps. 2. Map Transferable Skills → List key skills you’ve mastered: leadership, problem-solving, quick decision-making. → Connect them to industries like health tech, consulting, or operations. 3. Take Small Steps → Polish your LinkedIn profile to highlight relevant expertise. → Reach out to one person in a field that interests you and ask about their journey. → Start learning about an industry or role that excites you (webinar, article, or short course). The best way to predict the future is to create it. What’s one small step you can take today? Let’s discuss this in the comments! ♻️ Repost & Follow if this helped you.

IS CAREER CHANGE STILL POSSIBLE IN MID-CAREER? Q. Hi Liz, I want to change careers but who would hire me in a new career path at my age? A. I remember how happily surprised I was when I realized that most jobs have a lot in common with one another. If we're talking about office jobs, most of the relevant skills are transferable. You'll learn new methods and new terminology in a new career path but everything else -- your brains, your wisdom, your ability to spot problems and solve them, your communication skills and so on - carries over from one career path to the next. Here are the steps to executing a career change at any age: 1) Decide which career path you want to explore. (That is a big question! If you're stuck on this point or any of the other points in this list, drop a note in my LinkedIn inbox and we'll brainstorm.) 2) Brand yourself for the new career path you're entering. That's going to involve changing some of what's on your resume now. You're branding yourself for a new audience, and hiring managers in that audience care about different things that the managers you wrote your old resume for. 3) Read job ads and research your target career path to understand the pain points hiring managers run into. They won't be obscure or mysterious. Common pain points are things like losing customers to competitors, checked-out employees (or turnover), a shortage of leadership bench strength, poor response to job ads, cost overruns, overburdened tech, etc. 4) Recall and reclaim some of your favorite Dragon-Slaying Stories(TM) - stories about times when you came, saw and conquered in your career thus far. Your stories illustrate your abilities far better than a list of skills ever could. 5) Create a Target Employer List. That's a list of employers who employ people in the new career path you're focused on. 6) Put together your strategy, and launch your job search! Need ideas? Drop a note in my LinkedIn inbox. Here's to your career adventures! #careerchange #midcareer #branding #rebranding #newyou #newpath #transferableskills #yougotthis

“I want to change careers. But I don’t want to leave my current job before ensuring I can land my target role.” I've heard this dilemma from mid-career professionals too many times to count. It’s understandable – most people don’t want to risk losing what they have, for something they aren’t sure they can achieve. The reason people don't take such risks is uncertainty. Because the less we know about something, the more hesitant we are to do it. So, here's what I tell people in such cases. There are 3 simple yet effective ways to tackle uncertainty, especially during career change: 1. Small steps > Herculean efforts - Taking consistent micro-steps towards your goal is always better than working on the end goal right away - Eg, if you want to switch to data analytics, take a short course or speak with analytics experts before refreshing your resume and applying to 100s of roles - If you want to start a startup, build an MVP before launching a full-fledged business 2. Calculated risk > Leap of faith - If there’s a low chance of landing your target role, consider finding a role that's midway between your current and target role - Eg, if you want to switch from HR to product management, first find an HR role at a startup (ideally HRtech) and transition to a PM role afterward - This way, you make two smaller pivots that are easier versus one large pivot that’s harder 3. Hedging your bets > Hoping for the best - Stay put in your current role if you have the bandwidth to work on your transition on weeknights and weekends - Make sure you have sufficient savings for the transition period while you are in between jobs - It’s also wise to have a backup plan to find another more achievable role or return to your previous career, if needed ------------------------- Uncertainty is part of all career transitions. The above strategies can help improve your chances of making a successful shift, while keeping your options open in case things don’t work out. What steps have helped you navigate turbulence in your career?   #careerchange #careerswitch #planning

A client once told me, “I’m ready for a change, but I don’t know how to start strong.” That space between endings and new beginnings can feel uncertain. But it’s also where momentum is built. Your next chapter doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be intentional. Because the way you enter something often shapes the way you move through it. I call this the Momentum Mapping Method, because clarity, energy, and aligned action make the difference between a hopeful start and a powerful one. Here are 8 ways to make your next chapter truly unstoppable: 🔶 Clarify Your Vision • Picture exactly where this new path is meant to lead • Define what success looks like in career, life, and mindset First step: Visualize a version of you six months from now and write down what’s different 🔶 Own Your Decision • Stay rooted in your “why” when things feel shaky • Trust your direction even if others don’t understand it yet First step: Write out your top three reasons for this change and keep them somewhere visible 🔶 Build on What You Know • Identify which of your strengths still apply in this new path • Be honest about what gaps need filling for growth First step: Make a list of transferable skills alongside one area you’ll start improving now 🔶 Learn with Intention • Focus on gaining knowledge that directly supports your next move • Seek people who’ve already done what you’re aiming for First step: Pick one book, one resource, and one mentor to guide your next steps 🔶 Expand Your Network Thoughtfully • Start connecting before you need help • Add value to conversations instead of just asking for it First step: Message someone in your new field and ask a thoughtful, non-salesy question 🔶 Track What Moves You Forward • Break the journey into smaller, measurable actions • Acknowledge even tiny wins so you don’t lose momentum First step: Set one weekly milestone and check in every Sunday to see your progress 🔶 Strengthen Your Resilience System • Create routines that help you reset after setbacks • Anticipate hard days and prepare how you’ll handle them First step: Choose one daily habit that helps you feel grounded and stick with it for a week 🔶 Embrace the New Identity • Let your actions reflect who you’re becoming • Start blending your future self into your present routine First step: Introduce one mindset, habit, or phrase that reflects where you’re headed What shift are you making as you step into your next chapter? Share it in the comments. ⸻ ♻️ REPOST if this resonated with you! ➡️ FOLLOW Rheanne Razo for more B2B growth strategies, client success, and real-world business insights.