This post gives you a step by step guide on how to transition out of corporate life.
If you’ve ever been interviewed by a head hunter, they’ve likely asked “Where do you want to be in 5 years time?” You’ve probably got a generic answer that impresses them enough, but do you really want to still be in a corporate environment, or maybe not?
Below you will find a step by step guide on how to approach a transition, as well as some key considerations to think about with regards to your personal situation.
You’re a women in your 40’s, you’re in a senior executive role within a large organisation and you’ve been focused on climbing the corporate ladder. You’ve focused on generating results, providing a positive influence and creating a bigger impact for the organisations you work for.
For your own personal career, you’re on a trajectory to have a more significant role, more income, and more power to make bigger decisions. You’re on a great package, you’re living a great lifestyle, and most people would describe you as successful.
But in the back of your mind, there is a grey cloud around what your future looks like.
You’re working super long hours, which clearly isn’t sustainable. You are at odds with the Board on key strategic issues which leaves you feeling vulnerable and anxious about your tenure.
You feel like you’re on a treadmill that has been set for a 9% incline, and is speeding along at 12kph – awful! You’re starting to lay awake at night, wondering where your career is heading.
Predictably, this is the point that a lot of people take a look at what others are doing, and discover there are plenty of options available – especially when a little preparation has been done!
People who successfully transition out of corporate tend to start thinking about the following 5 things around 2 years BEFORE they leave their corporate job:
- Work out what skills and projects they LOVE doing
- Create a personal brand to highlight their key achievements around ‘what they want to be known for’
- Build strong relationships with a wider network of business contacts, decision makers and influencers
- Acquire the skills, knowledge and experience so they succeed in the next part of their career
- Get professional help to make the transition, from a mentor or coach
There are also key practical considerations such as having:
- Financial independence from your employer – not constrained by share options and long-term incentive programs
- Enough cashflow to fund the transition – potentially up to 24 months
At the pinnacle of your career the choices you make now will have a significant impact upon your future career and lifestyle.
In our experience the better planned and prepared you are the more choices you have, and the more secure you feel. What do you need to do NOW to be the obvious choice when opportunity comes knocking?