What to Do When You’re Ready for a Career Change But Don’t Know Where to Start
Feeling the pull toward something new, but unsure what that “something” is can be incredibly unsettling.
You might be:
Fed up in your current role
Drained from years of doing work that no longer excites you
Curious about what else is possible
Worried you’ve left it too late to make a change
Or simply feeling a quiet voice saying: “There must be more than this.”
And if you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, that feeling can be even stronger.
You’ve built decades of experience… yet you might not want to fully retire, and you’re not ready to stay where you are either.
Here’s the good news:
Career change at this stage of life isn’t only possible, it can be the most energising move you ever make. You just need a clear way to explore your next chapter.
This is the exact process I use with clients who feel ready for change but don’t know where to begin.
1. Start With Self-Awareness (The Foundation of Every Career Pivot)
Before you update a CV or scroll through job boards, pause.
A successful career change always starts with understanding:
What energises you
What drains you
What strengths you’re proud of
What skills you want to use more (or less)
What you value at this stage of life
One of my clients, in her late 50s, came to me feeling ready for “something different” but unsure what.
She loved gardening, cooking, learning and supporting her community… but had no idea how it could translate into work.
We mapped her strengths, skills and interests, then explored which of those could become her next chapter.
Sometimes the answers are already inside you, they just need space to surface.
2. Explore the “Spectrum of Possibilities” (Not Just One Option)
A common mistake people make when considering a career pivot is assuming they need to jump from one job title to another.
In reality, you need a spectrum, a range of possibilities.
When I work with clients, we explore options like:
Staying in the same industry but shifting roles
Transferring skills into a new field
Turning a personal interest into part-time or consultancy work
Combining multiple interests
Exploring community-based or project-based roles
Creating a “bridge role” to test the waters before fully committing
Once you have a spectrum, you can plot each option on a scale:
Does it use my strengths?
Does it give me energy?
Does it fit my lifestyle now?
Do I know anyone doing this type of work?
Can I explore it without making a huge leap?
From there, the picture becomes much clearer.
3. Talk to People Who Are Already Doing What You’re Curious About
Networking isn’t only for job hunting, it’s one of the most powerful research tools you have.
Ask yourself:
Who do I know working in areas I’m curious about?
Who could introduce me to someone in that field?
Who has made a career change themselves?
What small conversations would help me understand what’s possible?
These conversations often spark ideas you hadn’t considered and help you see how your skills transfer.
One client who loved training and coaching started talking to people in the L&D space. Within weeks, she could see a path forming that felt exciting and achievable.
You don’t have to make a leap of faith blindly, but you do need to take the first step.
4. Map the Gap (And Build Your Bridge Toward It)
Every career transition has a gap:
A skills gap
A confidence gap
A knowledge gap
Or simply the gap between where you are and where you want to be
The goal isn’t to fix everything at once, it’s to bridge the gap with small, practical steps.
A bridge might look like:
Doing a short course
Shadowing someone
Taking on a small project
Updating your story, CV and LinkedIn
Testing the new direction through freelance or voluntary work
Joining a relevant community
Career change is rarely a big jump.
It’s a series of thoughtful decisions that build momentum.
5. Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities
One of the most powerful things you can do during a career transition is stay open.
When I left my 30-year career in AIB, I didn’t know exactly what my next step would be either. I simply knew I wanted to design the next stage of my career intentionally. I explored multiple paths, took courses, filled notebooks with ideas, attended talks and allowed myself to stay curious.
That openness led me to coaching. I realised that the work that gave me the most energy in corporate life was helping people grow and now I get to do that every day.
Your next chapter might not look like your last one. It might be more creative, more flexible, more fulfilling.
Allowing yourself to explore is where the clarity happens.
6. Create a Career Transition Plan You Can Actually Follow
Once you’ve explored your possibilities, the next step is creating a plan you feel committed to, not overwhelmed by.
A strong career transition plan includes:
A clear direction
A timeline
The strengths and skills you’ll leverage
The skills or experiences you need to build
The people who can support you
Small actions you can take each month
Career change isn’t about starting again. It’s about realigning your career with who you are today, not who you were 20 years ago.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need All the Answers to Begin
If you’re ready for a change but not sure where to start, remember:
You’re not lost. You’re evolving.
And the clarity you’re looking for won’t come from overthinking, it comes from exploring, talking, testing, planning, and giving yourself permission to imagine something new.
You’re more skilled, more capable, and more energised than you think.
Your next chapter could be the most rewarding one yet, you just need the right support to shape it.
Next Step
If you’re ready for a career change and want support exploring your options, mapping your strengths, and building a clear plan:
Book a free consultation call with me
Let’s explore the possibilities for your next chapter and create a path that feels exciting, achievable, and aligned with who you are.
