Hey Friends,

Losing a job or realizing your industry is shrinking can feel like a door slamming shut. But what if that’s not the whole story?

Most career advice focuses on how to find what’s next—identifying transferable skills, networking, and adapting to job market shifts. (And yes, that’s important.) But there’s a hidden advantage in career reinvention that doesn’t get talked about enough:

The chance to redefine success on your own terms.

Too often, we chase the next role without questioning whether it aligns with what we truly want. We stay on autopilot—pursuing promotions, higher salaries, or roles that “make sense” based on our past experience, rather than where we actually want to go. But when change is forced upon you, it also forces reflection.

This is Your Moment to Ask: What Do I Really Want?

• Do I want the same pace, pressure, or expectations in my next role?
• Do I want to pivot into a career that offers more meaning, flexibility, or autonomy?
• Have I been ignoring signals that I needed a change long before this transition happened?

A career shake-up isn’t just about finding a new job—it’s a rare chance to reassess what success looks like for you. Maybe that means shifting industries. Maybe that means stepping into leadership. Maybe it means taking a breath before jumping into something new.

A Counterintuitive Approach: Don’t Just Fill the Gap—Design What’s Next

Instead of rushing into the next available role out of fear or urgency, take a strategic pause:

1. Identify What Energizes You vs. What Drains You
   • Think about past roles and projects—what work lit you up, and what left you exhausted?
   • How can you prioritize the work that energizes you in your next move?
2. Expand Your Options Beyond the Obvious
   • What skills do you have that could translate into roles you’ve never considered?
   • What fields are growing that align with your interests and values?
3. Use This Transition to Set New Boundaries
   • If you’ve been burned out, undervalued, or stuck in an unhealthy work culture, what will you do differently this time?

A job search doesn’t have to be just about finding a role—it can be about creating a better path forward.

If you’re in a career transition, take a moment to step back and ask yourself: What do I actually want?

Not just what’s available. Not just what feels safe. But what truly aligns with your strengths, values, and aspirations.

If you’re ready to dig deeper into what’s next, check out my latest blog post where I share practical strategies to make a career pivot with confidence.

Read it here: From Career Setback to Breakthrough​

I’d love to hear from you: What’s one thing you want to change in your career moving forward? Hit reply and let me know.

Cheering you on,

Nitza
Owner | Nitza Rivera Coaching & Consulting

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About the Author: Nitza Rivera is an executive coach and human capital consultant with a background in mechanical engineering and HR. She helps professionals master career transitions, achieve their dream roles, and find lasting career fulfillment. Nitza is passionate about aligning professional growth with personal values and guiding individuals through meaningful career transformations.

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