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Dylan Cornelius Coaching & Consulting

Career Change Strategy: 3-Step Process for Your Best Career

Howdy! Looking for a successful career change strategy?

You’re in the right place! There are three keys to any prosperous career change.

Career Change Strategy: 3-Step Process
Career Change Strategy: 3-Step Process

Just like any significant life change, there’s a well-known process for performing a career change. Here’s the 3-step process used for important changes for decades.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t learn these things in school.

However, it’s something that many people apply every day in many careers.

I’m sharing this because I want to share with you how to apply this strategy in your career and personal life so you can achieve the change you desire.

1. Career Change Strategy Step 1: Clarify the problem

The first of step of any career change strategy is to be absolutely clear about the problem you’re trying to solve.

It’s common for us to consider a career change when we’re dissatisfied with our current job or income level. It’s not always clear where to go next.

Unfortunately, in a stressful moment, many people quit their jobs without a clear plan and leave themselves in a difficult financial situation. Other people needlessly quit their jobs and burn time and money while unemployed without a plan of what to do or where to go next.

Even if you have money and don’t have urgency about finding a new job, understanding the problem at your current or last job is critical to help you avoid jumping into or recreating a similar problem at your next job.

Once you understand the problems that led to your desire to change careers and know what you want to do next, the challenge is often figuring out how to overcome the income hurdle.

In reality, there are plenty of available options for your next move. However, awareness of these opportunities requires connections in circles, organizations, and job types you won’t have if you don’t already have a job or connections in the space where you want to be.

Hidden gems are rarely advertised and many jobs are filled “through the grapevine,” making it crucial to understand your career change goals and how to achieve them.

2. Career Change Strategy Step 2: Make valuable connections

The second step is to start surrounding yourself with people who are knowledgeable in that area.

Most of us tend to stay within our existing networks, be it at work, with family, or in our community. As a result, we miss out on valuable exposure to individuals who have relevant experience.

Creating a network of knowledgeable people in your desired field is critical for any significant change. Doing so will give you insights into what you want to achieve. You’ll also learn how to make the transition you’re looking for. Finally, you’re likely learn how to “qualify” yourself for the job, even if you don’t have prior experience.

Caution: Some jobs require professional training or certifications or licenses that will require time, work, and money to acquire. However, many jobs just don’t, and in many job markets hiring managers will take a chance on someone who’s not a perfect fit technically as long as they’re coachable, trainable, and will fit in with the organizational culture.

3. Career Change Strategy Step 3: Develop a Powerful Mindset

The third step is building an unstoppable mindset in your chosen area.

As you start and progress through the initial steps of defining your purpose and building your team, you’ll experience small wins every day.

These incremental victories and continuous learning through research, networking, and maybe some technical skills development will boost your confidence. These will help you sustain your long-term action and momentum in your career change journey.

Work with a coach and begin your strategic plan!

If you’d like to learn more and start your own career change, join me in a Strategy session where we’ll:

  1. Introduce ourselves and see if we’re a fit to work together.
  2. Explore your career goals and identify what’s been holding you back.
  3. Discuss options for how we might work together further to help you create your best career ever.

You deserve a great career and long life.

The statistics say about 2/3 of people are unhappy at work, that means 1/3 of people are happy!

Let’s get you in a situation where you can join the happy 1/3!

Click here to: Confidently Change Your Career!

You deserve a good career and happy life. Let's make it happen!

From time management to branding and resume preparation, outreach to interviews, and offer management to negotiations. Learn More!
Let’s define your career change strategy!

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About me
Picture of Dylan Cornelius
Dylan Cornelius

Hi, I'm Dylan Cornelius.

I help mid-career professionals who feel stuck, burned out, or directionless build or find the best job — and career — of their lives.

I studied psychology at UC Berkeley and earned my MBA at Santa Clara University. I've spent 30 years on both sides of the hiring desk — as a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley, a hiring manager who interviewed thousands, and a leader at Oracle, IBM, Charles Schwab, LPL Financial, and PNC.

Whether you're actively searching, quietly questioning, or not sure what you want next — you're in the right place.

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🔍 Not Sure Where to Start?

Many mid-career professionals feel stuck, burned out, or unsure of their next move. Before you plan your next big step, find out what’s secretly holding you back.

Take the free quiz:

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You’ll instantly discover your biggest “Strategic Planning Blocker” and receive a free report with tips to move forward.

Ready to go deeper? After you take the quiz, you’ll be invited to a free Strategy Session with Dylan to map out your next steps—just like other professionals who’ve used this quiz to start their personal transformation.