Career Action Plan: Insights from a Transition Coach

From Frustration to Action: Practical Steps from a Successful Career Transition Coach

In our previous post, we unpacked the emotional rollercoaster of a career transition. Now, it’s time to shift gears and focus on the how. In this second instalment, we follow the Candidate’s coaching session with Nirmal Chawla, MSME growth Lead at HP, and a seasoned career transition coach from GoCrackIt, as they tackle actionable steps to turn frustration into progress. This blog focuses on three core challenges covered in conversation. Let’s break it down. But first..

Mentor Profile

Nirmal Chawla is a seasoned leader in growth and new initiatives from IIM Ahmedabad, with over 14 years of experience in strategy consulting, product management, CIO advisory, and supply chain transformation across the US, Europe, and APAC. Currently, he serves as the MSME Growth Lead at HP. Nirmal has previously held key roles at Rajasthan Royals, Cognizant, Airtel, and PwC.

Revamping an Ineffective Resume

The Candidate kicked off the session with a familiar frustration: a resume that wasn’t opening doors.

Candidate: I’ve applied to dozens of roles, but nothing. Is my resume holding me back?

Nirmal: Probably. Most recruiters skim resumes in 5 seconds. Yours needs to grab them fast. One page, tops. Focus on recent, relevant experience, ditch the old internships and vague buzzwords. Use clear subheadings like ‘Primary Research’ or ‘Business Development’ to show what you’re about.”

The Candidate nodded, piecing it together.

Candidate: I’ve been cramming everything in, every job, every course. I thought it showed versatility.

The Candidate nodded, piecing it together.

Nirmal: More isn’t better, it’s noise. Highlight your impact at your current firm. Use single-line bullet points, like ‘Led market analysis for 10+ clients, boosting retention by 15%.’ Cut the fluff, your address, outdated certifications, that ‘objective’ paragraph. Make it sharp and results-driven.

They dug deeper into specifics.

Candidate: What about my sabbatical? It’s a gap.

Nirmal: Frame it positively. Something like ‘Sabbatical (2023): Focused on professional development and health optimisation.’ It’s honest, concise, and shows intent.

The Candidate ended up with a focused resume that highlighted strengths. Nirmal’s coaching for career transition showed that a strong resume is a strategic career tool.

Mastering Networking Without the Awkwardness

Next up was networking, a sore spot for the Candidate.

Candidate: I freeze up at networking. How do I go from small talk to opportunities without sounding desperate?

Nirmal: Forget pitching yourself upfront. Networking’s about relationships, not transactions. Start small, reach out to one person a day. Ask for advice, not jobs. Say, ‘I’m exploring research roles. How did you break into this space?’ People love sharing their stories.

The Candidate hesitated.

Candidate: So, no asking about openings at all?

Nirmal: Not yet. Build trust first. Chat with hiring managers, peers in strategic roles, LinkedIn’s your goldmine. After a few exchanges, they’ll think of you when something opens. It’s organic.

They brainstormed a game plan.

Nirmal: Here’s your starter: ‘Hi [Name], I saw your work on [specific project]. I’m shifting into [field]—could I ask how you got started?’ Keep it short, genuine. Follow up with a thank-you note. One good connection can snowball.

The Candidate lit up.

Candidate: That feels doable. Less pressure.

This shift, from awkward pitches to curious conversations, turned networking into an approachable, even enjoyable, part of their career shift.

Balancing Health and Career Ambition

Health was the wildcard in the Candidate’s transition.

Candidate: I’ve had spine issues from 16-hour days at my current firm. I want a better salary, but I’m terrified of burning out again.

Nirmal’s response was grounded in empathy and strategy.

Nirmal: Health’s non-negotiable. Use your sabbatical to heal, new roles might demand more, not less. Don’t jump into the deep end yet. Plan for two strategic moves: a solid next step, then a leap to your salary goal.

The Candidate wrestled with the tension.

Candidate: I get that, but I’m itching to grow. How do I balance both?

Nirmal: Growth doesn’t mean grinding yourself down. Stay at your current firm a bit longer, stabilise your health, tweak your resume, and build that network. Then target roles with better pay and work-life balance. One smart move beats three rushed ones.

They hashed out priorities.

Nirmal: Think long-term. Look for companies with remote options or flexible hours; your spine will thank you. Negotiate hard when the time comes, but don’t trade health for a paycheck.

This candid exchange underscored a key lesson: a successful career transition hinges on sustainable choices, not just ambition.

From Chaos to Clarity

Nirmal’s career transition service didn’t just offer tips, it gave the Candidate clarity and confidence. That’s the power of GoCrackIt’s personalised approach: turning career challenges into stepping stones. Ready to take your next step? Let’s talk.

From Frustration to Action: Practical Steps from a Successful Career Transition Coach

Mentor Profile

Revamping an Ineffective Resume

Mastering Networking Without the Awkwardness

Balancing Health and Career Ambition

From Chaos to Clarity

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