Preparing For A Career Transition: Explore. Connect. Soar.

Women executives who have navigated the ups and downs of corporate leadership are now increasingly opting to take a detour off the fast track or being derailed by downsizings – is asking what’s next terrifying or terrific?

BY PATRICIA POLISCHUK, SENIOR CONSULTANT AND CAREEGO ACCOUNT MANAGER, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, WATERLOO

Patricia provides career transition, coaching and career management services to professionals at all levels of an organization. As part of her role, Patricia is also involved in business development and account management activities and her corporate clients include the healthcare, universities and colleges, technology, manufacturing, professional services and sports and entertainment sectors. Prior to joining Knightsbridge, Patricia worked in communications for an international Property Development company and as a Program Manager for a large telecommunications organization. She has also worked in the post secondary education sector where she built a successful Alumni Career Coaching program.

As a career consultant, I’ve worked with many executive women; some take the chance to try something completely new, while others feel they want to continue in leadership roles within the corporate, government or not-for-profit sectors. How do these women face the challenge of looking for that next role?

In 2008, Jane Blaufus chose to leave her corporate position and accept a severance package during a restructuring. “It was a bit nerve-racking to walk away from a six-figure-plus income, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore and I knew it was time to leave,” she admits.

Many women leaders feel this way as they approach the second phase of their careers. After much introspection, exploration and coaching, Jane took the bold step to follow her passion and is now doing what she truly loves and excelling past even her own expectations.

TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLORE, CONNECT AND SOAR INTO YOUR NEXT ROLE: EXPLORE

Take the time to explore your strengths, what you do really well, how you have brought value to an organization and what an ideal working environment is for you. If you are unsure how to start this process, contact a former colleague or mentor and ask them these questions. Seek out the help of an experienced career coach who can help guide you through this unchartered territory.

CONNECT

Use social networking sites like LinkedIn to help you reach out to former colleagues and promote your unique leadership brand. Many of my clients are amazed at how quickly their network grows and how many people provide unsolicited recommendations. Harness the power of this tool to help you tap into the hidden job market, and you’ll be amazed at how willing people are to be of assistance.

SOAR

Identify the management structure and working culture in which you excel, and network with senior leaders in those organizations to narrow down your search efforts while gaining valuable insights and contacts. Tap into your personal networks both online and through family and friends to make these contacts. By speaking with others they may point out a direction based on your skills, passion and experience that you had never considered. To quote the Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”