Herminia Ibarra, author of "Working Identity," talks about career reinvention, expanding networks, leveraging past skills, and navigating the AI revolution. She emphasizes the importance of networking with "loose ties" and adopting a portfolio approach to work.
Career reinvention is a discovery process that involves stepping out of one's usual circle, engaging in networking, and exploring different interests to gain experience and skills in the desired career path.
Changing careers requires a balance between introspection and action, including trying new things, connecting with new people, seeking feedback from outside social circles, and reaching out to dormant ties for valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Deep dives
Exploring Career Reinvention
Erin, who used to work as an ER doctor, has come to the realization that she no longer enjoys her job but doesn't know what she wants to do instead. The process of career reinvention is a discovery process that involves starting from wherever one is at. To embark on this journey, individuals can step out of their usual circle, engage in networking with new people, and explore different interests and hobbies. It is important to gain experience, skills, and vocabulary in the desired career path. The transition may involve starting something on the side, such as a hobby, and gradually growing it into a viable new career. The process of career reinvention often takes time and should be approached as a continuous evolution.
Reflection and Action in Career Change
The process of changing careers involves balancing introspection and action. It is not enough to solely reflect on past experiences; instead, individuals should try new and different things, connect with new people, and reflect on their learnings throughout the process. Talking about the career change with others and articulating thoughts and feelings can lead to a more active form of reflection. It is advisable to seek feedback and input from people outside of one's usual social circles, as they bring fresh perspectives and opportunities. Reaching out to dormant ties, people who have been lost track of but could offer valuable insights, can be an effective networking strategy.
Build, Pivot, and Leverage in Career Transitions
Career transitions involve three stages: Build, Pivot, and Leverage. In the Build stage, individuals are novices who are starting anew and building new expertise, networks, skills, and vocabulary in their desired career. The Pivot stage is characterized by making a shift into a different industry or role while leveraging past skills and experiences. Leverage occurs when individuals find ways to apply their past skills and experiences in a new context, creating a unique value proposition for themselves. Career changes often involve a combination of these stages and may take several years to unfold. It is crucial to be open to starting at a lower level and taking baby steps towards the desired career.
Have you ever dreamed of starting again? Maybe after 5, 10, 15 years in the same field, your heart’s just not in it anymore. Today’s guest wrote her bookbased on years of interviews with professionals in this exact position. Herminia Ibarra’s Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career breaks down the process of career reinvention, giving readers the tools to identify their next steps towards a more fulfilling career. Herminia has a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Yale University and teaches this subject as a professor at London Business School. Today, Herminia sits down with Jessi to break down the three ways of “working identity” and leveraging them to achieve your new career goals.