How to Navigate Career Transitions: Tips for Switching Industries or Roles (Without Losing Your Mind)
Let’s get one thing straight: changing careers is like switching seats on a moving rollercoaster. It’s thrilling, a little terrifying, and at some point, you may wonder why you didn’t just stay safely buckled in your original seat with your bag of emotional support snacks.
But if you’re anything like me, the idea of spending the next ten years pretending to care about software systems you don't even understand is enough to make your left eye twitch. So, one day, you whisper to yourself: “Maybe it’s time for a change.”
Cue the dramatic music.
Whether you’re shifting industries, jumping into a new role, or starting completely from scratch (hello, existential crisis), here’s what I’ve learned from navigating the bumpy road of career transitions, plus some tips that might just keep you from crying into your keyboard.
1. Accept That You’ll Feel Like a Fraud (But You’re Not)
Impostor syndrome is real. When I first moved from recruiting Technology to Accounting and Finance roles, I spent the first few weeks Googling terms during candidate calls and nodding like a bobblehead.
The truth is, everyone feels like this when they start something new. You’re not a fraud, you’re a beginner. Give yourself some grace.
2. Transfer Your Skills Like a Boss
You might not have 10 years of experience in the new role, but you do have skills. Soft skills are often the unsung heroes of career pivots.
That time you coordinated a cross-functional team under tight deadlines? That’s project management. All those angry customer calls you de-escalated without bursting into tears? That’s communication and emotional intelligence, baby!
Translate what you’ve done into the language of where you’re going. Think of it as career code-switching.
3. Network Like a Human, Not a Robot
Networking doesn’t have to feel gross. You don’t have to slide into 500 LinkedIn DMs like “Hi, I see you work in “ “, Can I have a job?”
Instead, get curious. Ask people about their path. Grab virtual coffee. Compliment someone’s career pivot post. People love talking about themselves, use that.
One of my biggest breakthroughs came from a random chat with someone I met at a volunteer event. Three months later, they referred me for a role.
4. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Changing careers feels awkward. Like middle-school-dance awkward.
You’re going to feel out of place, ask silly questions, and maybe take a pay cut (temporarily). But discomfort is where the growth happens. If you wait to feel 100% ready, you’ll be stuck forever in the purgatory of “maybe next year.”
Embrace the awkward. Dance anyway.
5. Find Your Hype Crew
Not everyone will understand your career shift. Aunt Linda might say, “But you were so good at accounting! Why would you leave?” or your coworker might dramatically whisper, “You’re leaving? Are you okay?”
Find the people who get it. Whether it’s a career coach, a friend who's made a leap, or a stranger on Reddit who pivoted into UX design at 38, surround yourself with people who cheer you on instead of dragging you down.
6. Remember: You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Leveling Up
Switching roles or industries isn’t a reset button, it’s an upgrade.
Every past job, frustrating boss, awkward team-building exercise, and spreadsheet-induced headache has built the version of you that’s capable of this next step.
So go ahead. Update that resume. Slide into that recruiter’s inbox. Take the class. Apply for the thing. You’re more ready than you think.
And hey, if all else fails, just remember: Beyonce didn’t write “Upgrade U” for nothing.
Final Thoughts
Career transitions are messy, emotional, and kind of like moving apartments. There’s always more dust (and old habits) than you expected. But they’re also exciting and full of possibility.
So if you’re standing on the edge of something new, take a breath, take a step, and trust that the path will become clearer as you walk it. You’ve got this.
And if not, there’s always coffee. Or wine. Or both.
Kelly Woods
Senior Talent Specialist, Accounting & Finance
Thinking about your own career pivot?
Career changes don’t have to be overwhelming. With Juno, you’ve got a partner to help you find the right fit.