Navigating a Career Crisis: From Overwhelmed to Empowered
At Clarico, we regularly hear from career coaching clients who find themselves in a “career crisis.” The feeling can be heavy and overwhelming. It can spur you to act impulsively or, conversely, cause a brain fog so thick you feel you cannot see through it. A crisis can manifest subtly, becoming an all-consuming "background thought" or it can become all consuming.
Here, we explore what to do in the immediate, mid, and long term to ultimately turn this crisis into an opportunity.
1. Take Stock
It can be deceptively difficult to do, but the first step is always to pause. Carve out some time to breathe. Can you step away from your circumstances for a couple of days to regain clarity? Annual leave is precious, but taking time off tactically (e.g., during a bank holiday week so fewer days are needed for a full week off) can be worth its weight in gold.
When you are on an all-consuming career hamster wheel, you often feel that something is wrong, yet stepping off that wheel to think outside your corporate confines is extremely difficult. Invest in time away to decompress and dedicate that space to planning. Try not to "jam-pack" this time with other commitments; instead, reclaim your brain space to determine the source of the crisis and how best to move forward.
2. Identify the Pain Points
A number of factors can create a sense of crisis: management styles, an overburdened workload, difficult logistics, or external pressures like caring responsibilities. Sometimes, you might just have a "niggle" that a total pivot is needed.
It is vital to honor that niggle, as there is merit in your gut feelings. A career coach can empower you to look at your reality, identify what is within your control, and ensure you are supported to make a change. A commitment to change is fundamental for success.
3. Reflect, Research, Reflect
Before acting on impulse or panic research and reflection is needed. Drill down deep:
What do you specifically like and dislike about your current role and environment?
Which roles align with your values?
Does your CV need a refresh or is upskilling required?
Can you reframe your existing transferable experience?
It is also important to get some inspiration and see what type of roles are out there. Scour job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, IrishJobs, or Publicjobs.ie for inspiration. Here you can see what roles are in demand and what sort of skills and experience hiring managers are looking for. It is also worth taking stock of your financial situation and determining whether you can afford to take a salary hit in the interest of making a pivot or do you need to preserve what you have as a non-negotiable base line.
4. Upskilling
There are many ways to upskill at varying levels of accreditation and expense. Upskilling in Ireland is uniquely accessible thanks to heavy government subsidies and a strong network of industry-led training. Whether you are looking for a complete career pivot or just a few new skills to add to your CV providers such as Springboard+, eCollege, SkillNet, FETCHcourses.ie are designed to upskill people in areas where there are "skills gaps" in the Irish economy.
There are also Open & "Audit-Style" Courses, that are free run by University Open Learning platforms and LinkedIn Learning.
There are also paid professional academy options.
The key takeaway is there are ways to upskill available at various price and experience points. These can be used to your advantage.
5. Work With What You Have
Depending on your circumstances, you may not need an immediate exit from your current employer. Perhaps your current employer can offer exposure to a new department or provide training sponsorship (just be mindful of "clawback" clauses). Consider what benefits or experience you can gain from your existing workplace before moving on.
6. Get Someone in Your Corner
A career crisis is often a "blind spot" issue, you are too close to the problem to see the solution. This is where professional coaching provides the highest ROI. While friends and family mean well, they often project their own fears and "shoulds" onto you. A coach acts as a neutral partner to help you filter the noise and find the signal. A coach can support you on this journey and also be an accountability partner ensuring you maximise your professional potential.
7. Start Fresh
Once you have a plan and if you start in a new role or company, from the outset it is important to reflect on what didn't work in the past: Do you need firmer boundaries? Do you need to assert yourself more confidently? You are starting your next chapter with a blank slate—seize the opportunity to shape it.
Your Path to Clarity Starts Here
A crisis is not a sign that you have failed, it’s a sign that you are ready for a better version of yourself.
Take Control Today
Don’t let a crisis get the better of you and don’t suffer alone. Clarico’s career coaching service is tailored to your unique circumstances, supporting those navigating burnout, pivots and uncertainty.
Book a Discovery Call with Clarico today and let’s map out your next move together.