Every career transition journey is unique but many of the experiences are similar.
According to the Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale, being fired or laid off ranks as one of life’s most stressful events.
When you start there and then factor in that many new clients are exhausted, disappointed, angry or bewildered, or some combination of the above, it is easy to see why they are very sensitive to how they are received and treated during their transition experiences.
Have I mentioned that many people feel vulnerable and inclined to question how it will conclude? It can be stressful and disorienting. In a previous survey we conducted, losing one’s job was associated with the losses of: personal routine (71%); status (65%); workplace friendships (61%) and self-esteem (57%).
Where am I going? Well, what new clients want to know and what new clients need to know can be very different. While every career transition journey is unique there are common experiences and barriers.
Being samples of one, people do feel exposed, so I have found it very helpful to my clients to be able to use proprietary research to reassure them that others have had similar challenges, disappointments and surprises.
In a recently completed survey of 125 executives who have been through transition, we gained further insights into topics such as how a person’s network reacted to the news, the level of concern or anxiety clients felt about potential career impact, potential personal impact, uncertainty regarding finding the next role, and what someone should be prepared to experience while in the transition process.
I believe that trying to take some of the personal out of a very personal process is helpful. The final survey question highlighted the fact that the ups and downs people experienced during their transition processes, were “more than expected” for 43% of the respondents, “as expected” for 51%, while only 6% felt they were “less than expected.” So, yes, there will be moments of doubt and unexpected developments.
In such circumstances, there is comfort in knowing that what you are experiencing is not unique to you, as in, “others have seen the same thing, there isn’t anything wrong with me, this is how it goes, and it will work out, so I just need to keep on going.”