It may seem dramatic to say, but our brains perceive career transitions as a threat to our survival.

After all, we spend most of our time at work, and admittedly when we aren’t at work, we spend a great deal of time thinking about work. We call our careers our ‘livelihood’, this is how we put a roof over our head and food on the table. Though I disagree with this, we even introduce ourselves by our job titles and ask others when we meet them “So what do you do for work?”

Contrary to what these practices may say about us, we are way more than our job titles, our paychecks and our LinkedIn headlines. In this article, I’ll explore why making a pivot in your career is undeniably challenging and how the changing job market contributes to that.

The lies of stability

Let's start with the allure of stability. We're conditioned to believe that a stable job is the ultimate prize, the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. It used to be that staying in the same role was respectable and expected. So, when we contemplate switching careers, we find ourselves questioning our sanity. Who needs variety and personal growth when you can have the same mundane routine until retirement, right? The fear of leaving the predictable behind is enough to make any aspiring career switcher break into a cold sweat. 

The quest for passion

I’ll admit that even as a Career Coach, I don’t believe in ‘pursuing your passion’. I think it leaves many people unnecessarily lost and confused. Some people don’t have a passion to pursue yet, and others don’t want to pursue their passion through their careers. Passion is supposed to be the holy grail of career satisfaction. We're told to find a job we love and then ‘you'll never work a day in your life’. Sounds fabulous, doesn't it? But let's be real. Discovering your passion is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You embark on a wild goose chase, exploring different interests and questioning your very existence. And just when you think you've found your calling, imposter syndrome swoops in to remind you that you have no idea what you're doing. 

The ever-changing rules

From job market trends, social media/LinkedIn, economics, and resume requirements, it’s hard to stay in-the-know about how to approach the job search effectively. This is especially true if it’s been a while since you’ve searched for a job. 

I’ve been writing resumes for almost half of my life and even I know how frustrating resume writing is. This piece of paper seems like a masterpiece of lies and half-truths! Every bullet point and job description is meticulously crafted to hide your past sins and emphasize the transferable skills you hope will catch an employer's eye. You spend hours staring at your screen, attempting to mold your chaotic work history into a narrative that screams, "Hire me!" It's a delicate dance that requires equal parts creativity and self-delusion. 

Even with all that, 85% of all job postings are filled through networking. That means that to be a truly effective job seeker, you can’t get around networking. 

The experience paradox 

You might think that your years of experience would be an asset when switching careers. After all, you've accumulated knowledge and skills that should be transferable, right? Well, think again! Employers are often skeptical, demanding previous experience in the exact field you're trying to enter. It's like they expect you to have been born with expertise in that specific industry. So, you find yourself in a catch-22 situation, unable to gain experience without a job, and unable to get a job without experience. Thanks, universe!

The good news is, there are ways to show transferability of your skills to the new role that you are going after.

 If you’re among the 65% of Americans looking to make a career transition within the next year, I’m here to let you know that you absolutely can survive the rollercoaster ride with your sanity intact. Changing careers is no picnic. It's a twisted and tumultuous journey filled with self-doubt, uncertainty, and an abundance of observations. But here's the thing: it's also an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and finding a path that truly aligns with your values and aspirations. So, embrace the madness, laugh at the absurdity, and remember that sometimes the most challenging journeys lead to the most rewarding destinations. 

Rooting for you always, fellow career adventurers!