Introduction: Your Career Transition Starts Here

Career change doesn't always come by choice. Sometimes it's welcomed—a pull towards growth or a fresh challenge. Other times, it lands unexpectedly through redundancy, restructuring, or a shift in what your work demands of you.

Whatever your circumstances, this truth remains: you have more control over your response than over what happened.
 
This guide offers both psychological insight and practical action steps to help you navigate planned and unplanned career transitions with greater confidence and clarity.
 
What You'll Discover

 • How to recognise when career change is necessary—or when it's been forced upon you
 
• Strategies for managing both the emotional and practical dimensions of career transition
 
• Tools to rebuild confidence, motivation, and direction
 
• A clear framework for moving towards meaningful work

I hope you will find this ebook helpful, to help you manage change and move forward.

Diana Dawson, 
Founder, Working Career 

📣 To explore one-to-one support, contact Diana or find out more about the Career Change Programme at www.workingcareer.co.uk

Part 1 | Recognising You Need To Or Have To Change

When Career Change Is Thrust Upon You

Redundancy, restructuring, or sudden organisational shifts can destabilise your confidence and sense of professional identity. Even highly capable people feel unmoored when career structure disappears overnight.
 
You may experience relief, fear, anger, grief, or all of these at once. All of it is normal.
 
This career transition does not define your worth. It marks the start of a chapter you now have permission—and agency—to shape differently.
 
Try This: Ground Yourself in Facts
 
Write down three statements:

 1. What actually happened (just the objective facts, no interpretation)
 
2. What this does NOT mean about your career or capabilities (separate event from identity)
 
3. One small action you can take this week to restore a sense of control

 Understanding Career Transition Fear
 

Fear is a natural companion to career change—planned or otherwise. These fears often show up in predictable patterns: 

Fear of the Unknown

"What if I can't adapt to a different career path?"
Your brain is designed to protect you from uncertainty. But remember: you've successfully navigated career challenges before. This won't be your first time figuring something out. 

Fear of Failure 

"What if I make the wrong career choice?" 
Reframe: Every career decision offers learning. Even outcomes that don't go as planned teach you something valuable about what you need professionally. 

Fear of Judgement 

"What will people think about my career change?" 
Your career belongs to you. The people who matter will support your growth. The rest are background noise.

Identity Anxiety 

"This career has become who I am."
You are far more than your job title or career path. Career transition creates space to express neglected or undiscovered parts of yourself.

When You Choose Career Change: Signs You're Ready

If you're still employed but sense something isn't right about your career direction, trust that signal. Intuition often speaks before logic catches up. 

You might notice: 

• Persistent dread on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings 

• Feeling underused, undervalued, or invisible in your current role 

• Restlessness or boredom that won't lift, despite good performance 

• A growing sense you've outgrown your role or sector 

• Envy when colleagues or peers make bold career moves 

• Work stress bleeding into your personal life and relationships 

• Declining confidence in skills you once felt secure in 

• Feeling disconnected from your sense of professional self 

• A quiet but persistent feeling that time is slipping away 

• Noticing the gap between the career you have and the career you want

Reflective Question

"If my job ended tomorrow, what career direction would I wish I'd prepared for?" That answer is your starting point.

Part 2 | Preparing for Your Transition

Assess Where You Stand

Before you move forward, take stock of where you are.

Opportunities                                                                  Challenges

Emerging trends in your sector                      What might get in your way

Roles that align with your strengths             Market conditions to consider

Growing markets                                                 Financial constraints or                                                                                                            responsibilities 

Networks you could activate                           Time limitations

Action Step: Highlight one item in each quadrant that deserves immediate attention in your career planning.

Define What You Actually Want
Effective career transitions begin with clarity not just action.

Career Values Check

 What matters most to you in your work? Consider:
 • Autonomy and independence in your role
 • Collaboration and teamwork
 • Impact and contribution to society or sector
 • Learning and intellectual challenge
 • Security and stability
 • Creativity and innovation
 • Recognition and career advancement
 • Work-life balance and flexibility

Career Vision Setting

Picture yourself 1–3 years from now in your ideal career:

 • What does a fulfilling workday look like?
 • What kind of problems are you solving?
 • Who are you working with?
 • What sector or industry are you in?
 • How do you feel at the end of the week?

Write this career vision in the present tense, as if it's already real. This primes your brain to recognise opportunities aligned with that future.

If You've Been Made Redundant: Immediate Career Priorities

Redundancy is disorientating. It also offers a rare chance to pause and recalibrate your career direction.

Practical career steps to take now:

 • Review your redundancy package, notice period, and final pay details
 • Request references and performance feedback whilst relationships are intact
 • Gather evidence of achievements: emails, testimonials, project outcomes
 • Update your CV and LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments
 • Reach out to your professional network now, whilst you're still top of mind

Reframe Your Career Story

Write a short statement beginning:
 "This career change gives me the opportunity to…"

Examples:

• "…explore industries I've been curious about for years."
 • "…prioritise work-life balance in ways my previous role didn't allow."
 • "…build skills that will make me more resilient and versatile in my career."

 You're not spinning the truth—you're reclaiming your career narrative.

Part 3 | Building Your Transition Strategy

Set SMART Goals for Your Career Transition 

Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant • Time-bound

Instead of: "I want to explore new career opportunities"
 Try: "I will have three informational conversations with professionals in data analytics by the end of next month to explore this career path."

Break each career goal into micro-steps: 

• One action for today
 • One action for this week
 • One action for this month
 
Small steps compound. Career momentum builds confidence.

Create Your Career Action Timeline

Months 1–2: Foundation
• Reflect on what career direction you want next
• Refresh your CV, LinkedIn and professional portfolio
• Begin reconnecting with former colleagues and professional contacts

Months 3–4: Development
• Address career skill gaps through short courses, certificates or stretch projects
• Work with a coach, mentor or trusted advisor 
• Conduct 6–10 information interviews to test career assumptions and build sector insights

Months 5–6: Activation
• Target specific roles, organisations or contract opportunities
• Prepare thoroughly for interviews and professional conversations
• Draft a "first 90 days" plan for a new role to clarify your value proposition

(Adjust this career timeline based on your financial situation, market conditions, and personal circumstances.)

Part 4 | Navigating the Emotional Journey

Managing the Ups and Downs of Change

Career Change — especially when unexpected — rarely follows a straight line. Change, such as redundancy can have it's ups and downs.

After Redundancy or Sudden Career Disruption

 Shock / Denial
 "I can't believe this is happening to my career."
 → Pause. Breathe. Give yourself time to absorb the reality.
 
Fear / Anger
 "Why me? This career setback isn't fair."
 → Talk it out. Move your body. Write without censoring.
 
Acceptance
 "This is real. What's next for my career?"
 → Focus on what you can control. Take one small action.

 Exploration
 "What's actually possible for me career-wise now?"
 → Research career options. Reconnect professionally. Test assumptions.

Renewal
 "I'm ready to move forward in my career."
 → Act on your career plan with intention and clarity.  

During Planned Career Transitions

 The Excitement Phase
 Career possibilities feel energising. Everything seems clear and within reach. Tip: Enjoy this energy, but anchor it with a realistic career action plan.
 
The Doubt Valley
 Fear creeps back in. You question every career decision.
 Tip: This is normal in career transitions. Revisit your "why." Lean on your support system.
 
The Progress Plateau
 Career-building efforts don't seem to yield visible results. Frustration builds. Tip: Adjust your approach. Celebrate small career wins. Stay consistent.
 
The Breakthrough Moment
 Things finally click into place career-wise—often after the hardest stretches. Tip: Trust the career transition process. Persistence compounds.
 
Daily Career Reflection Practice
 
Each evening, complete this sentence:
 
"Today I handled my career change by…"

This simple habit builds self-awareness and reinforces career resilience.

Building Career Resilience
 
Career resilience isn't about pretending to be fine. It's about recovering faster and adapting with greater flexibility to career challenges.

Part 5 | Taking Career Action

Your First Week Plan

Days 1-2: Reflect and Commit

• Journal about where your career is and where you want to go
• Identify your non-negotiables for your next role

Days 3–4: Research & Reconnect

• Find five people working in areas you admire
• Identify skills you need to develop
• Read about two industries or roles of interest

Days 5–7: Act & Organise

• Refresh your LinkedIn summary
• Draft a short “career story” paragraph
• Schedule time for ongoing career work

When to Seek Professional Career Support 

Consider hiring a career coach or counsellor if: 

• You've been stuck in analysis paralysis for months
• Anxiety about change is affecting your sleep, relationships or daily life
• You need accountability to take action
• You're navigating complex career decisions
• You want to accelerate your transition timeline

Morning Career Momentum Habit
 
After your morning coffee (or tea), take one small career action that moves you forward. Even five minutes counts.

📣 For ongoing support and accountability, contact Diana via www.workingcareer.co.uk

Part 6 | Thriving Through Career Transition

Celebrate Every Step

Career progress isn't just landing the job. It's every small action that builds momentum.
 • Reached out for career advice → win
 • Managed a career setback calmly → major win
 • Completed a course or certification → career progress
 • Updated your CV → forward motion
 • Had a difficult professional conversation with grace → career growth
 
Keep a "Proof of Career Progress" list. Review it when doubt creeps in. You'll be amazed how quickly it grows.

Maintain Career Momentum

When career motivation dips:

• Revisit your “why” - the deeper reason you're making this career change
• Review your progress notes and wins
• Talk to someone positive about your career journey
• Rest if you need to

When doubt appears:

• Remember: everyone wobbles mid-career transition. You're not alone. 

• You're not starting your career over—you're starting wiser, with more clarity and experience.
 • Career change is temporary. Career growth is lasting.

📣 Find out more about the Career Change Programme at www.workingcareer.co.uk

About Diana and Working Career

Diana Dawson is a Coaching Psychologist, Executive and Career Coach, and AccreditedMaster Coach with the Association for Coaching. With over 20 years of experience, she helps professionals, leaders, and executives navigate career transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

She foundedWorking Career to support individuals seeking renewed energy and direction—whether changing career paths, rebuilding after redundancy, or rediscovering motivation in their current role.

Diana's approach blends psychological insight with practical coaching tools, helping clients move from feeling stuck in their careers to feeling fulfilled. Her work balances understanding (strengths, values, motivations) with action (mindset shifts, strategic planning, skilful execution).

Qualifications & Professional Credentials

• MA in Psychology – University of Aberdeen
 • MSc in Career Counselling – Birkbeck, University of London
 • MSc in Occupational Psychology – University of Strathclyde
 • Accredited Master Coach – Association for Coaching

Areas of Expertise

   - Career Change & Transition Coaching
   - Interview Preparation and Career Development Coaching 
   - Leadership & Executive Coaching
   - Confidence, Resilience & Wellbeing at Work
   - Redundancy & Career Reset Coaching

Thank You & Next Steps

You've reached the end of this guide—but it's really the beginning of your next career chapter.

Whether a career change arrived by choice or circumstance, you've already done something powerful: you've paused, reflected, and begun planning your career forward.

Keep going. Keep experimenting. Keep believing that a better career is possible—because it is. 

All the best,
Diana