“It offers a second chance, which can be exactly what people experiencing career angst are searching for.” Heslin believes it’s useful for people to be explicit about their expectations for career success. “Their standards can be unrealistic and often are much easier to adjust than the timing and size of the next pay raise or promotion,” he points out. “It enables many more career options – as well as peace of mind – and the chance to feel successful now, rather than only after earning and owning ‘just a little more’.”
After conducting a skills audit, Ma realised he had – through his various career roles and extensive education including an MBA – become a very competent generalist. In a job application for a specific role, this was not a strong point, but it was a useful prerequisite for running a business. Ma started The Interview Group, a Sydney-based on-boarding, stay and exit interview specialist firm.
What’s the process?
To determine a new career direction, Riddington puts clients through a fairly standard process. First, they must take a holiday, escape the pressure and the distractions and get some perspective on why they want to make a change. “With a clear headspace, the discovery process and putting definition around ideal career roles can begin,” she says. “We try to start with a solution and then work backwards. One of the first things to look at is vision; in five or 10 years what do you want to be doing? What do you want to be known for? What would happen in your ideal week?”
Next it’s important to identify genuine interests. “This requires detective work, looking back on every previous role and listing likes and dislikes of the tasks, people, and working environments,” reports Riddington. “A look at future opportunities and what appeals and doesn’t appeal can also be helpful. Summarising the key themes provides a clear future direction.”
Further considerations involve values and needs. It’s worth remembering that people’s needs in their 20s are not the same as they are in their 40s, suggests Riddington. In their 20s they may be more focused on prestige and getting ahead, whereas in their 40s family time may be more of a priority, she says.
The work environment may also need evaluating. Is working from home important? Some people may like the idea of an international corporate office, while others would prefer a small start-up. Inevitably, individual strengths and core factors, such as income and hours available to work, also must come into play.
This type of career analysis is stock-in-trade for career professionals and has helped Riddington guide one Australian lawyer into a business line management role in the UK and another lawyer into starting an organic food market. The size of the shift does not count.
However, the experts’ overriding message is that, if well-managed – which often involves hard work and coaching by a well-qualified professional – a career midlife crisis can have very positive outcomes.
