Inner Quest - Your Journey Within

Career transitions come in three main types: Role transitions (same field, different position), Industry transitions (same skills, different sector), and Career pivots (complete change). Each requires different strategies, timelines, and risk management.

The 5-Phase Transition Framework

Phase 1: Exploration (1-3 months)

Goal: Validate your direction before making commitments.

Key Actions:

Conduct 5-10 informational interviews with people in your target role
Use your Career Dashboard to identify transferable skills
Ensure alignment with your top 5 career values
Research salary ranges and job market reality

Critical Question:

Are you running toward something exciting or just running from something painful? The former is sustainable; the latter often leads to regret.

Phase 2: Skill Building (3-12 months)

Three proven methods to close skill gaps:

Side Project Method

Build portfolio work in your target field. Best for creative roles.

Example: Teacher → UX Designer creates school website redesign case study

Internal Transfer Method

Leverage 20% time at current company. Best for established employees.

Example: Sales → Product Manager via cross-functional projects

Credential Method

Get industry-recognized certifications. Best for regulated fields.

Example: Career coach pursues ICF certification

Phase 3: Positioning (1-2 months)

The Bridge Story Formula:

Past: "In my X years as [old role], I developed expertise in [transferable skill]"
Bridge: "I realized my passion for [new field] when I [specific experience]"
Future: "I'm now pursuing [target role] where I can apply [skill] to [new context]"

Example Bridge Story:

"In my 6 years as a teacher, I developed expertise in breaking down complex concepts. I realized my passion for user experience when I redesigned my classroom's parent portal and saw engagement triple. I'm now pursuing UX design roles where I can apply my skills in understanding user needs to educational technology."

Phase 4: Strategic Job Search (2-4 months)

Allocate your effort strategically:

70%: Warm network (informational interviews, referrals, internal connections)
20%: Targeted applications (only roles where you meet 60%+ requirements)
10%: Portfolio proof (cold outreach with work samples, paid "auditions")

Phase 5: First 90 Days (Make or Break!)

Weeks 1-2: Listen and learn (ask questions, build relationships)
Weeks 3-8: Deliver 2-3 quick wins to build credibility
Weeks 9-12: Propose one medium-sized initiative that leverages your unique background

Risk Management Strategies

Financial Safety Net

Save 6-12 months of expenses before quitting full-time
Maintain freelance income during transition
Consider part-time work in old field while building new skills

Real-World Examples

Teacher → UX Designer (18 months)

Took Google UX certificate → Built 3 portfolio projects → Freelanced for nonprofits → Repositioned as "EdTech UX Designer" → Landed role at educational tech company

Outcome: Started at 80% salary, reached parity in 2 years

Sales → Product Manager (12 months, Internal)

Shadowed product team → Led customer research (20% time) → Completed PM course → Applied internally with proof of work

Outcome: Internal transfer, kept same salary band

When to Pivot (And When to Persist)

Red Flags to Stop

Zero interviews after 6 months of active effort
Work-Life Circle scores declining during transition
Day-to-day work doesn't align with your values

Green Lights to Continue

Getting informational interviews and positive feedback
Feeling energized by learning, even when difficult
Your skills genuinely valued in target domain

Your Next Steps

Complete your Career Dashboard to understand your baseline
Identify your transition type (role, industry, or pivot)
Schedule 5 informational interviews (Phase 1)
Use the Decision Matrix to evaluate transition options
Set a 6-month decision deadline to evaluate progress

Navigating Career Transitions