Is Career Transition Support Relevant for Senior Executives?
One of our clients recently asked whether providing career transition support was really necessary for someone at a senior level. Surely they have been through this before – right? They know how to write their CV and perform well in interviews so why bother?
It may be a common perception that people at a lower level in their career need more support than those near the top. This perception is far from the truth. Let’s explore why.
More Than Just Job Search Preparation
Firstly, career transition for senior executives involves so much more than preparing for a successful job search. It can be a time of intense emotion and uncertainty, financial worry, and a loss of confidence.
Career transition support is all about gaining clarity and confidence in your next move. Working with a qualified career coach offers you a supportive yet objective perspective that enables you to clarify your long-term goals, make big decisions, stay focused and refine your brand.
With professional support, you can turn a challenging career transition into an opportunity for growth.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Job Loss
For senior executives, losing a job can hit harder than expected. Even people at the most senior levels, perhaps even especially those at senior levels, can feel the loss of identity and confidence especially if the change was not anticipated or was unwelcome.
Friends and family may offer support but will be limited in their capacity to do so effectively. This is because they are not truly objective companions in this journey and their advice will be influenced by their desire to see you come out the other side of job loss, the quicker the better. While their support is important, they’re not equipped to offer the unbiased guidance that’s essential during such a pivotal time.
Avoiding Hasty Decisions
Often, the more senior you are the longer it can take to find that ‘right’ next role and so you can be at risk of persuading yourself an opportunity is a good move for you. Those who have witnessed your worry and concern over the intervening weeks or months since you left your last role, may eagerly encourage you to accept the first decent offer you receive. But, for senior executives, making a hasty decision could have lasting consequences. A wrong move at this stage could impact your reputation, career trajectory, and wellbeing.
This decision is clearly a crucial one and the importance of making a wise decision is particularly important for people with a high public profile. The advice of an experienced specialist career coach can be vital as an objective sounding board and may save you from making a decision you might come to regret.
A Time for Reflection and Planning
Job loss can be a great opportunity for reflection – a chance to take stock of what matters most to you, and where to next and at this juncture in your life. Are you seeking something similar to what you have just let behind, or are you considering a shift in focus? Perhaps a change in industry? A change in role? A change in working commitment or location? Add to this the impact of change on family members and you quickly amass a long list of factors to take into consideration.
It can be frustrating and confusing to get all of these ducks in a row and arrive at a target or targets for the way forward, and answering these questions isn’t always straightforward. That’s where a career coach becomes essential. They can guide you through the challenges of the decision-making process, helping you evaluate not just career options but life goals, values, and what truly motivates you at this stage in your life. Ultimately, they can help you find clarity and confidence in the direction you go.
Beyond the Basics: Seeing the Bigger Picture
While updating a CV and brushing up on interview strategies are the ‘easy’ bits of changing jobs, the real challenge lies in addressing the bigger picture. Considering your career options, your life goals and your key motivators is less easy yet no less vital. To have a person dedicated to providing you with sound, objective advice, along with the experience and resources to help you make an effective career move is going to make that journey so much less arduous, and I would argue, will lead to better outcomes for you. No matter your level of expertise or seniority, the provision of a career transition coach can smooth the ride and iron out the bumps in the road.
Your Experience Matters
What about you? Have you had the advantage of objective, qualified guidance, or have you navigated career changes without this support?
What challenges did you face, and what lessons did you learn along the way? Share your story with us—we’d love to hear how you’ve managed your career moves.
Whether you’re considering your next career step or already deep into the process, remember that seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a smart strategy that can make all the difference in finding not just your next role, but the right role.