Three questions for a career change

If you are considering leaving your public sector job but aren’t sure what to do next, here are three insightful questions I, as your coach, would ask to help guide you through this transition:

1. What are the things in your current role that you enjoy most, and what would you want to carry with you into your next chapter?

This question helps you identify your core values and interests. It can provide clarity on what aspects of your job bring you fulfilment and satisfaction, and whether there are transferable skills or passions you might want to pursue in a new career path. It also helps ensure that you aren’t running from the job, but transitioning toward something more aligned with your desires.

2. What are the underlying reasons why you are considering this change, and what is it that you are hoping to gain from it?

Understanding why you are making this decision is crucial. Are you seeking more autonomy? Better work-life balance? A chance to contribute to a different cause or sector? This question digs deep into the motivation behind the transition and ensures that you are making an intentional choice, not just reacting to frustration or dissatisfaction.

3. What is your vision for the future, and how does leaving this role align with your long-term goals?

This question prompts you to think beyond the immediate moment and about the bigger picture. By exploring your long-term vision, we can determine whether staying in your current job or pursuing a new opportunity will bring you closer to fulfilling your goals, whether that is in a new career, starting a business, or taking on a different type of role.

These questions help you reflect on your deeper motivations, identify what matters most to you, and create a roadmap that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations moving forward.