Your Next Chapter
If you’re mid-career and thinking about a change, it can feel like daunting You have skills, experience but maybe a sense that something’s missing. The good news is, you can create your own future by looking at four key areas: your values, your talents, the professions that fit you and the niche industries that spark your interest.
1. Values
Your values are principles where you won’t compromise, like integrity, creativity, flexibility or making a positive impact. In fact, several of mine are integrity, creativity and persistence
Steps
- Write down moments in past jobs when you felt fulfilled and times when you felt frustrated. Look for patterns in what was present or missing.
- Choose your top 5-7 values from that list and rank them.
- Use those as a filter for evaluating, not just what, but why certain opportunities seem appealing when seeking future opportunities.
Free Resources
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Values Worksheet (PDF) — simple guide to identifying and ranking personal values.
- UC Berkeley Career Center: Identify Your Values — short article with reflection questions and exercises.
2. Talents
Talents go beyond values, beliefs and skills; these are what you do well, both naturally and consistently. Think about the issues your friends always come to you for insights.
Steps
- Ask 5-10 people who know you professionally to share what they see as your top strengths.
- Reflect on the types of work you can do with ease, even when others find it challenging.
- Create a “strengths inventory” you can reference when exploring new career directions.
Free Resources
- CareerOneStop Skills Matcher — U.S. Department of Labor tool to identify strengths and match to careers.
- O*NET Skills Search — government database to match skills to occupations.
3. Professions
Professions are broadly defined areas of work such as marketing, counseling or engineering.
Steps
- Review your talents and see which professions align with them.
- Research the skills, qualifications and typical career paths in each profession.
- Talk to people currently in those roles to get an insider view of the work.
Free Resources
- O*NET Online — job descriptions, required skills and growth outlook from the U.S. Department of Labor.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — detailed career data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
4. Niche Industries
This is where your work intersects with your personal interests and values.
Steps
- List industries you’re curious about, even if they’re outside your current experience.
- Research which industries are growing and align with your values and talents.
- Identify networking groups, conferences or online communities within that niche.
Free Resources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Industries at a Glance — industry overviews with employment and growth data.
- U.S. Department of Labor Employment Projections — industry and occupation growth forecasts.
When you are ready for more guidance and coaching, give me a call.