Crafting a Transition Narrative

The Strategic Flaw Undermining Career Transitions   Throughout my career guiding professionals through industry and functional transitions, I've identified a consistent pattern among those who struggle to pivot successfully: they position themselves as inexperienced candidates in the new domain rather than as valuable cross-pollinating experts.   This fundamental positioning error creates unnecessary obstacles in an already challenging process.   Successful career pivoters employ a distinctly different approach: • Value Reframing: Positioning their outside perspective as an asset that brings fresh thinking to entrenched industry challenges • Problem-Solution Alignment: Identifying specific issues in the target field that their unique background equips them to address differently • Strategic Narrative Construction: Developing a compelling story that connects their existing expertise to the future needs of the target industry • Selective Credential Building: Acquiring specific knowledge markers that demonstrate commitment while leveraging existing transferable skills   The most effective career transitions aren't accomplished by minimizing differences or attempting to compete directly with industry insiders on their terms.   Rather, they succeed by deliberately highlighting how cross-industry perspective creates unique value in solving the target industry's evolving challenges.   For professionals considering a pivot, the critical shift isn't in acquiring years of new experience, but in reframing existing experience to demonstrate its relevance and value in the new context.   What unexpected industries have you seen professionals successfully transition between by leveraging seemingly unrelated backgrounds?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #careertransition #crosspollination #industryshift #careerstrategist

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠? When I started in pharmacovigilance, I thought that was my lane. ICSRs, PSURs, safety narratives - I lived in that world. But over time, something changed. I didn’t just want to report data, I wanted to communicate it better. That’s when I discovered medical writing and surprisingly, the transition wasn’t as hard as I expected. 🔹 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒂. Whether it's ICSRs, PSURs, or DSURs — you've worked with dense information and made it understandable. That’s exactly what medical writers do, just with different formats. 🔹 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆. That dry, precise tone? You’ve nailed it. This gives you a head start in regulatory writing, clinical documentation, and even safety updates. 🔹 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆. Tight timelines and high stakes sound familiar? Your PV experience prepares you to meet deadlines without compromising accuracy. 🔹 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔. PV requires meticulous scrutiny of data for adverse events and trends. This skill translates seamlessly into medical writing, where I now analyze scientific literature and distill complex information into accessible content. 👩⚕️ So if you’re in PV and feeling stuck or burnt out… know that you have transferable skills. You don’t have to start over but you just need to pivot smartly. I made the switch and it opened new doors, more flexibility, and more room for creativity. If you’re from a pharmacovigilance background and have ever thought about writing, you’re more ready than you think. 👇 Drop a comment or DM if this resonates with you. #freelancemedicalwriter #medicalwriting #pharmacovigilance #safetynarrative #clinicalwriting #healthwriting #contentwriting #careerchange #MedComms #freelance

Ok, let me get on my soap box for a minute. You’re talking about your career in job interviews + info conversations all wrong. I see wildly impressive women make this mistake daily, so I say this in the most loving way possible. Every info conversation + interview starts in the same place: “Tell me about yourself.” You can spend weeks (months!) preparing for your job search — Sundays doing reflection exercises + personality tests, late nights scrolling job boards + the hard work of setting up calls. But all that preparation is wasted if - You can’t talk about yourself in a way that immediately conveys your : - unique value - direction, and - readiness to lead at the next level It’s not your fault! This requires marketing + storytelling. Skills you’ve learned in a business context, but aren’t taught to apply to yourself. Let me walk you through how to do it right. Here’s a simple structure I use w/ clients to help them turn their resume into a compelling, confident story — one that positions them for the roles they want next: 1) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰/ 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. Lead w/ a one‑line headline that signals your value and direction. Template: I’m a [adjective] [function/level] in [industry], known for [edge]. Example: I’m a strategic operations leader in consumer tech, known for scaling scrappy teams into revenue engines. 2) 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. Explain why you made each move, so your path reads as intentional. Template: I moved from X to Y because… which let me… Example: I left consulting for a growth-stage startup to own outcomes end-to-end + build cross‑functional muscle. 3) 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞. Select 1–2 proof points per role that ladder to your target. Template: What did I learn or deliver here that directly serves the role I want now? Example: Launched a new product line that became 30% of annual revenue. 4) 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. Edit ruthlessly. Cut side projects, tool lists & responsibilities that dilute the through‑line. Rule of thumb: If it doesn’t strengthen why you for this role, it’s out. Example: If you’re pivoted from sustainability consulting into partnerships, cut the references to sustainability + position yourself as a consulting generalist. 5) 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬. Translate activity into outcomes with numbers, speed + scope. 6) 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐰/ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Briefly, confidently address gaps, pivots, layoffs, or sabbaticals - then move on. Ex: Took a 4‑month sabbatical to care for family; returned w/ refreshed systems that improved my team’s cadence. Want to see this action? Check out the example below – this is my main character, “Maya,” the star of all my trainings. See how we turned her dry biography into a page-turning memoir. Your story is already powerful. You just need to know how to tell it.

“I have so much experience, but I don’t know how to turn it into a story that makes sense for a Chief of Staff role.” ⬆️ If this sounds like you: a) You’re not alone b) I’ve got you. Keep reading. ⚠️ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: it's a long one today. Grab some 🍵 and read on: Crafting your narrative is a challenge, especially for roles like Chief of Staff, where every path to the position is unique. 🌀 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀: If you’ve ever successfully navigated ambiguity in your career, you’re already halfway there. Here’s my framework to help you craft a narrative that not only makes sense but also resonates with the roles and leaders you’re targeting: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - Reflect on those pivotal experiences that stand out in your career. Why? a) Our brains are wired to remember emotional moments. b) These moments demonstrate your ability to adapt, lead, or pivot — all key to being a Chief of Staff. 💡 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀: • You stepped in to lead during a crisis. • You built a process that solved a lingering problem. • You navigated a massive career pivot. • You helped someone else (your manager, team, or company) achieve their goals. 2️⃣ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 - What did this experience teach you, and why does it matter for the Chief of Staff role? 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: You spearheaded an annual planning process while juggling five competing priorities. • The Takeaway: The ability to manage complexity and drive clarity is a superpower. 3️⃣ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 Bring your story to life: • When did it happen? (Year, season, stage of your career) • Where were you? (Startup, corporate, nonprofit) • Who was there? (Your CEO, team, stakeholders) • What did people say? (Direct quotes can make your story vivid.) • How did you feel? (Confident, uncertain, resourceful?) Specifics make your story relatable and memorable. 4️⃣ 𝗧𝗶𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 Once you’ve outlined your 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆, and 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, start at the beginning and let the story flow naturally. 💡 Pro tip: Highlight moments of tension or ambiguity (you felt X because of Y), and always circle back to your takeaway to leave the listener with clarity. 5️⃣ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝘁, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 Whether it’s for an interview, networking call, or LinkedIn post, give your narrative some space. Review and refine it before sharing to ensure it feels authentic and impactful. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁? But for many, storytelling feels overwhelming or unnatural. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. It’s a skill, and skills need to practiced. Storytelling isn’t just about what you’ve done — it’s about showing how those experiences make you uniquely qualified for this role. 👋 Hi, I’m Clara. I help Chiefs of Staff thrive in their roles and grow their careers. 🔔 Follow for more tips on the Chief of Staff role.

When you're transitioning into a new industry whether it's from retail to biotech, bedside to corporate, or academia to clinical research there's one thing that must go with you: A clear, compelling personal brand. When your experience doesn't check every box, your brand fills the gap. It tells people: I may be coming from a different world, but here's the unique value I bring. So how do you build a brand that opens doors during a pivot? 1. Own Your Narrative Don’t hide your pivot position it. → I bring a patient-first mindset into clinical research. → I translate scientific complexity into actionable insight. → I’ve led under pressure now I’m ready to lead with purpose. 2. Lead With Transferable Strengths Not the job titles the skills behind them: → Communication. Strategy. Adaptability. Data interpretation. These are your assets. Make them loud and clear. 3. Align Your Messaging Make sure your LinkedIn profile, resume, and even how you introduce yourself all tell the same story: I’m pivoting with intention and I’m bringing results with me. 4. Show Your Work Post. Comment. Engage. Share what you're learning, thinking, and building. Let people see your transition in real time not just read about it on a resume. If you’re in the middle of a pivot, you’re not starting over you’re starting strategically. Your experience is an asset. Your voice is your differentiator. And your brand? It’s the bridge between where you’ve been and where you’re going. Own it. Shape it. Share it. #CareerPivot #PersonalBranding #CareerChange #TransferableSkills #CareerGrowth 

Navigating life's inevitable changes is complex, often uncomfortable, yet essential for personal growth. This Harvard Business Review article delves into the concept of "identity paralysis," a term used to describe the struggle of moving on from past identities to embrace new ones, which can leave us feeling stuck, frustrated, and hopeless. Here are strategies for overcoming identity paralysis, backed up by research: (1) Mark a Distinct Break with the Past. Create a symbolic event that signifies the end of an old chapter. Whether it's a significant birthday, a new birth, or another milestone, these moments can help you acknowledge the transition and start anew. (2) Craft a Compelling Personal Narrative. Link your past to your present by shaping a story that connects the two. This narrative should be authentic and shareable, helping you and others understand your journey and the reasons behind the changes. (3) Acknowledge and Work Through Emotions. It's important to recognize and address the emotions tied to your past identity. By understanding and processing these feelings, you can prevent them from hindering your transition to a new self. I'd add an additional tip, based on my work and experience: embrace curiosity in the face of change. Curiosity encourages us to view challenging transitions as opportunities for learning and growth rather than threats. This mindset can transform the way we approach new identities, making us more open to experimentation and less fearful of failure. Encouraging curiosity about oneself and one’s potential can indeed pave the way for smoother transitions by fostering a more flexible and adaptable approach to change. Embracing these strategies can lead to a healthier adjustment to new roles and identities, promoting personal development and well-being. Whether you're transitioning careers, roles, or overcoming personal trials, remember: change, though challenging, is a pathway to growth, and curiosity can be your guide. #HumanResources #Innovation #Growth #Reflection #Career #Leadership #Awareness https://lnkd.in/es7G5atn

It’s a sign of the times. I’m coaching a lot of design leaders lately who are making big transitions: moving towards different roles, different organizations, different mandates, and different ways of delivering value and finding satisfaction in their work. Some of them are choosing to find a way out of their orgs—while others are being pushed. Some are seeking a restored connection to meaning and purpose in their work, but aren’t sure what that looks like. Some are looking at product roles and wondering whether the grass really is greener. And some are questioning whether design leadership is even right for them at all. Whatever their situation, I’m finding a few strong common themes in my work with leaders in transition: Crafting your transition story: It can be hard to know what to say about an exit—especially if it happened under traumatic circumstances. Having a story that you can reconcile yourself with is essential to being able to tell that story to others with clarity and poise. And even if you did get to choose your exit, you’ll find yourself on better footing when you know what that story says about who you are as a leader and where you’re going. Reconsidering your identity: You may not be who you thought you were. You may not be who you thought you should be. It doesn’t matter. What matters is: Who are you now? What labels or frames are you still attached to? And what ways of thinking about yourself and your work might you need to leave behind? Defining your own value proposition: It’s easy to define our value in terms of the past. But a value proposition, by definition, is a statement about the future—a promise of future potential value. When you know the sources of your own strength and the contexts in which those strengths can be most fully realized, you can make that promise with authority. Whether the motivation for change comes from within us or we have change imposed on us by our circumstances, these times of transition can lead to difficult and uniquely individual questions we're not used to facing most of the time. But if you take control of the change with intention—and a little of the right support—these times of transition can also help you more fully tap into who you are, what you have to offer, and where you can thrive. #designleadership #designmanagement #ux #uxdesign #leadershipcoaching #executivecoaching #productleadership #productmanagement #productdesign

Career transitions are tough–but they’re more common than ever. Last week, I hosted a webinar about navigating career changes. Here are few of the tips I shared: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. After a layoff, allow space for recovery and reflection. Then build structure into your days so that you’re balancing the job search with personal pursuits. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿. Identify what energizes you and what’s non-negotiable. Without focus, you risk landing a job you later wish you hadn’t taken. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆. Be open to new possibilities. Think about how your skills and experience can transfer to new roles or industries you hadn't considered before. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. Refresh your LinkedIn profile, resume, and highlights to align with your current goals. Being generic won’t get you noticed. 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵. Take stock of your experiences and interests and create a short summary of your experiences and interests so people know how you might fit into potential opportunities. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Learn about others’ roles and industries. Share your story. Don’t ask for a job–ask for insights or advice. 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Consider part-time work, freelancing, or short term projects to build momentum and add to your experience while you figure out your longer-term path. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Follow career coaches for free insights or consider investing in coaching to gain clarity on your strengths, values, and goals, and how to frame your impact. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵-𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀—the people who know your superpowers (and blindspots) can help you see possibilities you may not recognize on your own. 𝗔 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲–𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲–𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. It can build new skills, networks and experiences that catalyze a new career direction. These aren't just general ideas—they're practices that have helped me, too. Over the course of my career, I’ve navigated four major transitions—each driven by different reasons: shifting priorities after starting a family, a desire for broader growth, a layoff, and the pull toward betting on myself. Each time, the same fundamentals made the difference: clarity, connection, and the courage to stay open to new possibilities. Career transitions are an opportunity to reset with more intention and clarity about what truly matters right now. The experience can vary widely depending on where you are in your career, your skills and experiences, your industry–and your mindset. If you’ve navigated a career transition, what’s one piece of advice you’d share?