Develop a Transition Mindset for a Successful Career Move

Are you thinking about making a career move? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Lots of people are seeking new career opportunities these days and if you’re among them, you might be feeling nervous about how it’s going to go. Career moves are tough, so you want to make sure the next role you land is one you will be happy with for a while!

Developing a transition mindset is the key to a successful career move. The good news? Most of us already have what it takes to develop this kind of mindset. The bad news? Starting a new job can be stressful and that kind of environment makes it difficult for some of us to show up and be the best version of ourselves.

What is a Transition Mindset?

So, you’re probably wondering, “what the heck is a transition mindset and how do I get one?” Fair enough. In my opinion, there are three main components that make up a transition mindset and help result in a successful career move. If you can make a conscious effort to embody these, especially in that initial transition period, everything will go a LOT more smoothly.

A Positive Attitude

Of course, a positive attitude is going to make all the difference. But it’s not exactly easy to stay positive in a situation in a new environment where you don’t know anyone, you don’t know how things work, and you’re not sure if people think you’re doing a good enough job.

If you have negative thinking patterns, you’re going to interpret every uncomfortable experience as a negative one, even though there’s a strong possibility that everyone a) likes you b) is impressed with your work and c) is grateful to have you on the team.

So, how do you “fake” or “force” a positive attitude when it’s not coming naturally? You have to reframe the narrative in your head. If you find that you’re imagining all the negative things people are thinking about you, flip it and imagine all the positive things they are thinking instead.

Another thing you can do is write down 3-5 things that went well at the end of each workday. There’s plenty of research that has shown that simply practicing positive thinking can lead to positive emotions, which then of course, is much more likely to lead to success.

Self-Examination

It isn’t fun to examine our faults and shortcomings. That’s why so many people have terrible responses to that interview question, “what is your biggest weakness?” No one wants to hear that you’re “too dedicated” or that you “love your job too much.” They want to see that you’ve done some real self-examination.

Admitting that you have room to grow doesn’t make you a bad employee and it doesn’t make you unhireable. Knowing what you need from a career or an employer isn’t “needy” and asking for what you want is actually going to lead to a lot more job satisfaction in the end.

In fact, once you’re able to examine what you need from your career, you might find that you don’t actually need a new job. You might find that all you really need is a micro-pivot in your current role or some new responsibilities so that more of your needs are met. 

You’re never going to be able to find long-lasting fulfillment if you’re not able to practice real self-examination. So let go of the fear that is trying to convince you that being vulnerable is inconvenient. Sure, it’s not always going to feel natural to take up space and ask for what you need, but it is a necessary part of developing a transition mindset.

The Ability to Challenge Yourself

In order to make a successful career move, you also need to be able to challenge and push yourself. If you believe that you already possess all of the skills and talents you need to be successful, you have what is referred to as a “fixed” mindset. However, if you believe that you can achieve more by putting in more effort and hard work, you have a “growth” mindset.

I’ll give you one guess as to which mindset has a higher rate of job satisfaction.

The good news is, mindset can be changed. Choose something small that you can challenge yourself on. Is there a skill you’ve been meaning to grow? Take an online course or go for a certification that adds value to your resume. Hold yourself accountable and see what happens!

You might find that your journey isn’t a straight shot to success and that might be uncomfortable. That’s okay! When you believe that perfection is the only acceptable outcome, you drastically limit your potential for success and happiness in your career and your life.
I wish you all the success in the world during your career transition! If you want help, my Thrive Career Clarity Accelerator might be perfect for you. This isn’t a manifestation program. Thrive walks you through actionable steps so you can have a fulfilling career and negotiate a salary that matches your experience and expertise. You don’t need a mantra, you need a plan.