Ongoing career reinvention - the new normal?

Rapid technology development leading to the up rise of new skillsets and occupational shifts will demand from us all a capacity to adapt and navigate the labour market in new ways. For anyone considering a career change within the near future, the current business climate and narrative can be daunting. Below we outline some advice to help inform your career choices and reflect on our role as executive search recruiters, to aid you in reaching your professional goals.

The rapid evolution of technology is fundamentally altering the landscape of work. Increasingly we will see a necessity for ongoing career reinvention; as skills become obsolete, companies restructure their business models and organisations to stay relevant, and new generations of workers enter the market that often more keenly seek deeper fulfilment from their professional roles raising the stakes for employers. According to a McKinsey study of the US labour market, advancements in generative AI could result in approximately 12 million occupational shifts by 2030.

The current business climate requires us all to adapt and refine our abilities to navigate these shifts effectively. Transitioning between different career paths can be daunting, something we at Alumni are very aware of. Working with executive search we often have conversations with senior executives around what to consider when making a career change or simply taking on a new challenge.

Important self-awareness

When faced with a new career opportunity it’s always good to see it as a chance to re-evaluate your priorities. Considering what the goals for your professional career are will not only provide you with clarity and understanding ensuring you stay on track, but will also help you clearly communicate your ambitions to those around.

When talking to senior leaders as part of our executive search assignments we are in a position to offer a neutral perspective and challenge these individuals to think more creatively about a next step. Close friends and family will of course provide valuable support and guidance as well, but can find it hard to distance themselves from any personal stakes and motivations.

A powerful question to ask oneself is: What would I regret not having done 10 years from now? The choices you make when it comes to a career change need to be intentional. Our researchers at Alumni often coach candidates as part of the recruitment process around the trade-offs they are willing to make.

“I always ensure that when engaging in conversations with potential candidates, I prioritise authenticity. Attempting to oversell or convince someone into believing that a particular opportunity is perfect for them is ineffective in my approach. Instead, I seize every chance to learn about the individual’s values, priorities, and current motivations collaboratively facilitating a deeper understanding of any potential match.”

— Lukáš Hudec, Consultant, Alumni

The question of considering one’s ability to have a positive impact on others, is also raised from time to time as we coach leaders and candidates as part of our recruitment assignments. Career transition is a serious topic and one that can easily lead to more philosophical thoughts on one’s purpose and meaning. American author and psychiatrist David Viscott, has been quoted saying: “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” Spending time to better understand one’s own gifts and strengths can better inform a dialogue on how these are best applied to add meaning in your life.

Challenge your own mindset

In considering a change in your career, it can be very difficult to avoid not defining yourself by past experiences or perceived obligations. Exploring diverse possibilities, broadening your perspective to consider alternative industries, and evaluating various paths for yourself, is not easily done in a vacuum. Having a dialogue with a neutral part and someone that has a good grasp of the market and can help benchmark your skills against opportunities can be a valuable resource.

Working with executive search and meeting many senior leaders and individuals in the midpoint of their careers, it is unfortunate to often see examples of ageism. In our dialogues we often need to challenge and encourage a shift in mindset. Advising clients as well as potential candidates, we encourage both sides to see the upsides of aging. Senior leaders are often more balanced and self-aware. They have a wealth of experiences and are often better positioned and open to supporting those around them and their team members to grow. Curiosity of mind and passionate engagement is key to success in any role and are qualities that are not restricted to any age bracket.

“Having worked in the industry for over 14 years, I never tire of the opportunity to speak to candidates about their careers and their aspirations for the future! These are some of the most personal and genuine dialogues I have on a daily-basis, and it is so rewarding to be able to help someone find a great match and a role that they can truly excel in and continue their professional growth journey. To be able to contribute to someone else’s success in this way, is why I enjoy my work so much.”

— Sonnica Frändberg, Research Consultant, Alumni

Overcoming the barriers

A key barrier to successfully transitioning into another role can be as simple as lacking the right network. It can be a skill in itself to be able to also network for a job. Few want to risk ruining their relationship with a potentially useful contact, by asking for help. It may then be both easier and more efficient to instead reach out to an executive search firm. Oftentimes, they will have a vast network and many ongoing job opportunities that they can consider you for, as a potential candidate.

Making yourself top-of-mind with an executive search firm can also be a smart move as they can help coach you in what skills you have, and which ones are transferable to a potential new industry. At Alumni we have many meetings on a daily basis with clients and candidates which provide us with good insights into the market. We are able to help you benchmark your skills against what is currently sought after and can help you navigate which skills to highlight where or which ones you need to work on and develop.

Working with senior leaders in management positions across our network, many of them voice that there are few options for them, when it comes to having an open talk about their own career and aspirations. With no personal stake in their choices, we as executive search recruiters can help by listening and acting as a sounding board, to help further their own thoughts. Executive search firms also often have networks that you can join to find peers outside of your own immediate sphere. This can add value in different ways; being able to contribute with your own insights for the benefit of someone else and for your personal sense of fulfilment, and also an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge with someone maybe in a similar position but in another context. Either way it is a quick way to build your own network and increase the likelihood of a successful transition.

As trusted advisors we have to stay on top of new technologies and how they are impacting various industries, organisations, and jobs. Our aim is to help match candidates with the right career opportunities within our client’s organisations. Reaching out for a confidential dialogue around your professional goals and aspirations is something we advise to anyone considering a career transition.

With rapid technological evolution, is having to reinvent one’s career really the new normal? Perhaps not, but you will see that visions for your career will have to flex with the new ideas, approaches and methods of the times. Your work and your role will forever be reimagined and redesigned to better suit a new context. At Alumni we can only hope to be part of that journey.

Alumni

Leading in times of disruption requires strong leadership. Leaders need to evolve and change constantly in order to allow their organisations to be agile and responsive to disruptions. Alumni has more than 30 years’ experience in helping leaders to develop to be the best they can be. By embracing change, fostering a culture of innovation, and leading by example, leaders can help their organisations stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

In addition to working with top Executive Search, Interim Management and Recruitment, we are also experts in the field of Leadership Assessment and Development. We are happy to help if you are looking for ways to select and grow the leaders that will boost the success of your organisation.