Project managing your career transition
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 02/02/2024
This month, I’d like to talk about how viewing and approaching your career transition as a project can help you stay on track.
At any point in your resettlement, you're likely to question and doubt yourself. How am I going to get another job? Will my skills be relevant in the civilian world? I haven’t had an interview in 20 years; how am I going to fare? Am I still employable?
So, how can we ensure a rational, planned, and focused approach to taking your next career step? Approach it as a project, breaking down your transition into achievable chunks and holding yourself accountable for meeting deadlines and targets.
Research The first port of call is to consider what it is you want to do. Whether you want to go into a similar role you held in the military or explore an entirely new path, research is key and can really help you make clearer plans. Once you've identified an industry or employer you'd like to work in/for, CTP RightJob can help you see which employers are actively seeking Service leavers. LinkedIn is also a great tool to help you find out salary information, how many jobs are being advertised, what companies employ the type of roles you're after, as well as presenting an ongoing opportunity to expand your network.
Reflect on your career to date Consider what you enjoyed the most about your roles in the armed forces, as well what you disliked. The Career Assessment activities in myCareerPath can help you identify your strengths and the skills you enjoy using most, as well what your motivations are. This can help provide you with clarity and reduce your chances of taking civilian roles that aren't right for you. Following this, consider your non-negotiables and negotiables when deciding what you want in your next role: the right culture, flexible working, commute time, salary, and development opportunities. Nail down exactly what you want and need before looking at specific roles.
Set deadlines As with any project, having a timeline with a defined deadline is essential to the success of your career transition. Don't think too broadly, and instead focus on achievable deadlines per task. Use myActionPlan, available within the myPlan area of the CTP website, to draw out your plans and set yourself mini milestones: create your CV by one date, practice interview techniques by another, and so forth. It’s fine to say you want or need to be employed by a certain date, but it’s by setting smaller, individual goals that will ensure you meet your overarching deadline.
Organise and track your job search activity Many of us may be loath to use them in our everyday lives, but spreadsheets are great for staying organised in your resettlement journey. Track key information relating to your job search process: which jobs you’ve applied to, when you applied, when the deadline for applications is, and any feedback you receive. This way, you can promptly follow-up any applications and implement real-time changes using feedback.
Celebrate milestones and achievements A career transition takes a lot of time and energy, and so it’s important to recognise your successes in the moment. Whether you’ve secured your first interview, landed a job or simply taken the first step to creating your CV – celebrate the wins regardless of how big or small you think they are. Taking time to acknowledge these milestones can really help you maintain and support your wellbeing.
And remember, if you need help at any point during your resettlement reach out to us for advice, guidance and support.