A Practical Approach to Career Transitions

A challenge that comes up repeatedly during career transitions and job search is spending a lot of time worrying about things you can’t change or influence.

This might include recruiter responses, internal candidates, hiring freezes, or the number of applicants and whilst these factors might affect hiring decisions, they are outside your control.

Rather than measuring success only by job offers, focus on consistent actions within your control each week such as tailored job applications, productive networking conversations, focussed interview preparation and ongoing skills development.

A Sphere of Control approach to Job Search

A more productive approach is to focus on the Sphere of Control, a concept popularised in the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, written by Stephen R. Covey.

The idea is simple: separate what you control, what you can influence and what you cannot control.

What You Control:

In a job search, there are several areas where your effort directly matters:

• Your career narrative: clearly explaining your strengths and direction

• Your positioning: ensuring your Resume and LinkedIn reflect the roles you want

• Networking activity: reaching out to colleagues, peers, and industry contacts

• Interview preparation: preparing clear examples and thoughtful, tailored answers

• Ongoing skills development: strengthening capabilities relevant to your target role

These are the activities where most of your energy should go.

What You Can Influence:

Some parts of the process can’t be controlled but can be influenced, such as:

• referrals

• relationships with hiring managers

• follow-ups after interviews

These actions increase visibility and improve your chances.

In career transitions, a structured process to job search is highly productive.

While outcomes can’t be guaranteed, focusing on the Sphere of Control ensures your effort is invested where it can make the greatest difference.