Your client is feeling lost after a career setback. How can you help them realign their goals?

1 Reflect Deeply

The first step in overcoming a career setback is to encourage reflection. Use this time to help your client delve into what they truly want from their career. Ask probing questions to uncover their core values, passions, and skills. This deep reflection can often reveal a silver lining; a clearer understanding of one's professional desires and the types of roles that would be most fulfilling. This process is not about quick fixes but about building a foundation for a more resilient and satisfying career path.

2 Assess Skills

Once your client has reflected on their intrinsic motivations, it's time to take stock of their skills. This involves a thorough assessment of both their hard skills, such as technical abilities and certifications, and soft skills like communication and leadership. Understanding the skills they possess, and perhaps those they may need to develop, is crucial in realigning their career goals. This assessment can also help identify transferable skills that could open doors to new opportunities they might not have previously considered.

3 Set Realistic Goals

With a renewed understanding of their strengths and interests, your client can begin setting realistic and achievable goals. Encourage them to set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These goals should act as stepping stones that will lead them towards their larger career aspirations. By breaking down the journey into smaller, manageable objectives, the path forward will seem less daunting and more attainable.

4 Explore Options

Exploring new career options can be both exciting and intimidating. Guide your client through the process of researching potential industries or positions that align with their skills and passions. Encourage informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest to gain insights and build a network. Exploring doesn't mean committing; it's about understanding what's out there and how your client's unique skill set might fit into different environments.

5 Develop Skills

In some cases, a career setback may signal the need for further skill development. Help your client identify any gaps in their skill set and find resources for improvement, whether through formal education, online courses, or hands-on experience. Developing new skills not only makes them more marketable but also boosts confidence as they take proactive steps towards their career goals.

6 Network Effectively

Networking is a powerful tool in any career development strategy. Encourage your client to reach out to their existing network and expand it by connecting with industry professionals and peers. Networking can lead to new opportunities, mentorship, and valuable advice. Remind them that networking is not just about what they can gain but also about what they can offer to others, fostering mutually beneficial relationships.