Avoid these “Job Search Killers” during a Career Transition

Switching careers can be scary because of all the unknowns. The pressure and anxiety are real, and it's okay to feel demotivated. We know it’s tough and that's exactly what we cover in this week’s edition. 

In today’s edition, we will talk about

1. Career Change: The new norm in 2024

2. Top 5 Job Search Killers 

3. Finding Your ‘Work Ikigai’

4. From: Finance Analyst at JP Morgan → Recruiter at Netflix 

Some numbers to look out for

Sources: Fast Company, CNBC, Aviva, Prudential

You're not alone—these numbers might surprise you. Career transitions are becoming the new norm, seen by many as a vital part of their career growth journey.

Top 5 Job Search Killers (during the career transition phase) 

Switchers is a book written by Dawn Graham, a celebrated career coach, and psychologist which talks about how to build the right career for yourself.

Here are 5 things to avoid if you don’t want to kill your chances when you’re trying to change your career. 

#1 SWITCH KILLER: Relying on traditional job search advice 

Relying only on conventional job search methods such as submitting resumes online or attending job fairs. In 2024, these methods alone may not suffice and will limit your opportunities and hinder your career transition.

#2 SWITCH KILLER: Treating your degree or certification as a magic bullet

While having a degree or certification is valuable, especially in certain fields, it's not a guarantee of career success or instant job placement.

Simply possessing a degree or certification doesn't automatically open doors to a new career. It's essential to complement academic qualifications with relevant skills, experience, and networking efforts.

#3 SWITCH KILLER: Ignoring your network  

Your professional network is a valuable resource during a career transition. Don’t ignore or underestimate the power of networking will be detrimental to your job search efforts. Opportunities come through connections, referrals, and word-of-mouth recommendations. 

#4 SWITCH KILLER: Failing to know and neutralize your red flags 

Red flags refer to any factors in your background or resume that may raise concerns for potential employers. These could include employment gaps, frequent job changes, lack of relevant experience, or other perceived shortcomings. Failing to address or mitigate these red flags will hinder your job search progress and lead to rejections from employers.

#5 SWITCH KILLER: Disregarding supply and demand  

Align your career transition efforts with market demand and industry trends. Ignoring factors such as job availability, skill requirements, and industry growth can result in pursuing career paths with limited opportunities or declining industries.

Finding Your ‘Work Ikigai’

"Ikigai" is a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning." 

Finding your 'Work Ikigai' involves having a career that is the intersection of four elements: 

what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. 

It's essentially the sweet spot where your passions, talents, societal contribution, and economic viability align.

Ask yourself these questions: 

You can come closer to finding your ‘Work Ikigai’ by taking what we like to call “Career Personality Tests”.

By understanding these elements through assessments like MBTI, DiSC & PrinciplesYou,  you can gain insights into your unique abilities. 

These tests provide a structured framework for self-discovery, guiding you toward a fulfilling and purposeful career transition based on your inherent qualities and aspirations.

Take the following tests, and we are sure you will be 20% more clear about what your personality actually is, leading you to take better career decisions.

How Amanda Corrado went from being a Finance Analyst at JP Morgan to a Recruiter at Netflix?

Amanda started her career at JPMorgan Chase, but pretty quickly, she realized that crunching numbers every day wasn't what she was all about.