“Why don’t you want to make more money? It just seems like you’re settling.”
You’re struggling to answer this for yourself, let alone for someone else. You take a deep breath and try not to lose it on your friend for being annoying and “caring” at the same time. (I’ll spare you my thoughts on what I really think about them asking such an offensive question).
Maybe you’ve taken time off for your family, hit a rough patch, you’re stuck in a terrible job or company but are comfortable, the business you started hasn’t gone according to plan, or you’ve just lost your professional spark somewhere along the way.
No matter where you’re at, you can absolutely stage a career comeback. Here’s how to get back in the game, get your professional swagger back, and hopefully earn more in the process. Despite this unusual economy, hiring is still happening; but it can be slower.
Start with an honest self-audit
Before you dust off your resumé or ask ChatGPT for a therapy session on getting more motivated with work, it’s important to take an unfiltered look at where you are at right now with your career. What’s working? What isn’t? What skills have gone rusty, which are still sharp or have even gotten better? Why is your current career filling your cup or draining you? What’s keeping you stuck? Is your industry getting hammered by AI? Could that be an opportunity for you?
The biggest question of all to ask yourself is this: “Do I even want to uplevel my career, and why?”
This isn’t about judgment; it’s about clarity so that when you start taking action toward a better career, you can avoid falling into previous unhelpful patterns, and start outlining a list of items/tools/skills you need to grow.
Try this exercise; the “Likes, skills, feedback” matrix. Line these three categories up side by side on a page to see if there are any common threads between the contents in each column. When the work you like doing matches well with the skills you have and colleagues agree you’re great at that aspect of work, that’s typically the sweet spot of where you’ll be happiest in your work going forward. When you’ve got a few common threads, you can compare your experience to job postings in your field, or the field you want to be in. What are employers asking for? What keeps showing up in your must-have list? Do you have these skills or could you get them?
Tell your story with confidence
Your resumé makes it through the AI screening, which is no small feat, then into the hands of a human HR person or hiring manager. They want to talk, and one of your most important differentiating factors is going to be how you own your narrative with respect to this change. Employers respect authenticity and resilience. So if you took time off, quickly get to the part about how you grew personally and with your skills. Seriously, be proud of what you’ve learned from your setbacks because they’re part of what makes you adaptable and resourceful. You need to hammer home the story that you’ve got momentum; you’re not returning to your career, you’re elevating it.
Back to the part about getting through the AI screening
Having a standout resumé that conveys the same story about the change you’re making plus demonstrating how you are upskilling plus networking is what will get you in the door for a conversation (that doesn’t mean an interview, btw).
Certain key words get picked up in the initial screening process. Do your very best to update your resumé with key words and phrases that match closely to ideal job postings you’re seeing on LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Workopolis, etc. Use AI to proofread your resumé and make suggestions about what to include or what to nix. But don’t let AI write the whole thing for you; recruiters know the difference between an authentically crafted resume and one generated by a robot.
While you’re circulating your resumé, prioritize upskilling. Because the job market changes fast, and what worked five years ago might be obsolete today, you’ll need to think about in-demand skills for the future. Online learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and edX offer affordable (often free) ways to brush up on in-demand skills. I took two e-courses just last month to gain a better understanding of psychological safety at work — very helpful as I explore why so many people are wanting to change jobs. Focus on certifications or technical proficiencies that will make you stand out in your ideal industry. Upskilling shows employers that you’re proactive, adaptable and ready to contribute immediately.
Networking isn’t about awkward small talk at events; it’s about reconnecting with people who know your work ethic and potential, and reaching out to people in the new field you want to break into. Let your old contacts know you’re exploring new opportunities and ask them to put you in touch with people they know could help you. Opportunities often come through word-of-mouth, not just the careers page of the company you’re looking at joining. Your next big break might come from a casual chat over coffee. Follow through with “thank yous” and “how can I return the favour and help you, too?”
Attend industry meetups, volunteer for professional associations, and make yourself visible on LinkedIn by commenting thoughtfully on posts. Craft your own posts that make an impact and demonstrate your leadership.
Over the past three weeks, four different people, aged 35 to 50, have told me they’re feeling “washed up” with work.
Be kind to yourself.
A comeback starts in your head, and it’s a long-game. If you’ve been out of the game, or just behind, your self-esteem might have taken a hit. Little proactive steps like updating your LinkedIn, applying for roles or taking a professional course boosts your sense of momentum. Believe in yourself.
