How to Explain a Career Shift Without Sounding Inconsistent

This one question can make or break your interview.

The answer lies not in what you’ve done—but in how you frame it.

Meet Nishant (Name Changed)

Here’s the story of Nishant, a candidate we helped turn a potential red flag into his biggest strength.
Nishant started his career in retail banking, project finance, and due diligence but now wants to transition into high-stakes finance roles like Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) in consulting or investment banking firms.
Despite having a strong background as a Chartered Accountant and pursuing an MBA, he struggled to explain his career shift convincingly during interviews

His Biggest Concern

How to position his career shift without making it look like he wasn’t sure about his career path?

Here’s What We Worked on Together:

1️⃣ Find the Common Thread
- Nishant’s experience in due diligence involved analyzing financial data and uncovering risks—skills that are highly relevant to M&A.
- By focusing on these transferable skills, we tied his past work to his future goals.
2️⃣ Show Proactive Efforts
- Nishant had already completed certifications like FMVA and courses in capital markets.
- These showed that his move wasn’t random—it was planned and backed by action.
3️⃣ Explain the “Why” Behind the Shift
- Nishant’s interest in M&A grew naturally from his work in due diligence.
- He made it clear that his long-term goal was to work in strategic finance, and this shift was the logical next step.

The Outcome

When he reframed his story this way, his career transitions felt purposeful rather than disconnected.
The Lesson:
If you’re making a career transition, focus on:
✅ What you’ve learned from each role.
✅ How those experiences connect to where you’re headed.
✅ The steps you’ve taken to prepare for the shift.
It’s all about presenting your journey as one of growth and deliberate choices.
Career transitions are normal—what matters is how you explain them.

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