Rebuilding Identity During Career Transition: Why Who You Are Matters as Much as What You Do
Career transition is more than updating your résumé or learning new skills — it can also be a shift in identity. Many people don’t realize how closely their sense of self is tied to their job title, workplace community, and daily routines, until they’re without it. When a role changes, it can feel like you are changing too.
Navigating this period, though challenging, can also be a powerful opening for reflection, giving you space to consider your values, strengths, and the life you want to build moving forward. Instead of focusing solely on finding “the next job,” approach transition as a moment to rediscover the whole you. Taking the time to reconnect with those deeper identity elements can increase confidence and clarity not only in your next career decision, but also in your self.
One supportive entry point into this exploration is the book “It’s Just a Hiccup” by Calgary-based authors Trish Exton-Parder and Corinne Wilkinson. The book works to normalize the emotional impact of career transition and remind readers that job loss or redirection does not define them – it’s simply a “hiccup” in a much bigger life story. Through their personal insights, gentle guidance, and thoughtful reflections, they offer a starting place for reconnecting with purpose.
Looking for more? Many people find they benefit from structured guidance as they navigate the deeper identity questions that arise during change. At Canada Career Counselling, our psychologists and career development experts specialize in career exploration, identity work, and transitions at every stage. If you’re ready to dig deeper and build a career aligned with who you are, reach out today — we’re here to guide you through the transition and towards a career that truly fits.
To find out more and to purchase “It’s Just A Hiccup,” visit www.dragonflybear.ca.
It’s Just a Hiccup was a finalist in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and Shortlisted for, the 2025 Whistler Independent Book Awards.
