By Lynsey Hyslop, Senior Personal Development Manager at the Rugby Players Association.
With over 16 years as a personal development specialist, including the last decade supporting elite athletes and Olympians as they transition into fulfilling new careers, I’ve learned that being ‘career change curious’ often leads to stagnation if you’re unsure where to begin.
For many women, considering a career change or pivot can feel overwhelming. But whether this change is driven by changing life circumstances, shifting priorities, or a growing sense that there’s more within you waiting to be discovered, take comfort that reinvention is possible—and it doesn’t mean starting over from scratch.
I’ve seen firsthand, both through clients I’ve worked with and the inspiring women I’ve interviewed on my careers podcast, that second careers often emerge from pursuing an interest or recognising the potential in a skill they hadn’t previously considered marketable.
The truth is every experience you’ve had—whether it felt significant at the time or not—has shaped who you are and what you have to offer. By reflecting on those experiences, using the process of elimination to understand what doesn’t align with you, gaining clarity on what does, and considering why now feels like the right time for change, you can begin carving out a fulfilling second act.
Through uncovering your transferable skills, exploring fresh opportunities, and building your confidence, uncertainty can turn into possibility. If you’re ready to take the next step, here’s how to begin.
1. Discover Your Transferable Skills
Every career, no matter how niche, is packed with skills that can apply to other fields. The key is learning to reframe them in new contexts. Skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are valuable in any industry. Plus, your unique experiences provide a fresh perspective on these common skills, which is invaluable.
How to Take Action:
To uncover your transferable skills, think beyond the obvious and consider all areas of your life where you’ve demonstrated skills and strengths. This can be experiences inside and outside of work, including personal responsibilities and community involvement. Start by asking yourself:
- What challenges have I overcome in my career, and how?
- What strengths do I naturally bring to problem-solving or teamwork?
- When have I successfully juggled competing priorities?
- What parts of my role light me up?
- What am I doing when I’m feeling I’m at my best in a work context?
- Which skills do I receive compliments on from colleagues or friends?
2. Explore New Career Paths
Once you understand your transferable skills, it’s time to explore what direction you want to go in and where your skills can take you. This isn’t about having all the answers straight away—it’s about staying curious and open to possibilities.
I have found a good starting place is to write down everything you enjoy: your interests, what excites you, what you do when you have a spare half-hour and the activities that make you lose track of time. This kind of “mind dump” can help reveal themes that align with both what you love and what you’re good at. When you can see it all in front of you, it makes it easier to spot connections and start to get a sense of where to focus.
Start Small:
- Research industries or roles that have always intrigued you—read up on them, follow key people in those areas, and be mindful of what stands out.
- Join online communities or if you prefer in person interaction, attend networking events.
- Tune into podcasts or read articles where people share their career journeys. Pay attention to which parts of their stories spark your interest.
- Use LinkedIn to your advantage—find someone in a role that interests you and reach out for a virtual coffee. Asking a simple question like, “What does your day-to-day actually look like?” can provide so much valuable insight.
3. Use the Process of Elimination
Now that you have more clarity on what excites you, the next step is to focus on what doesn’t. Understanding what doesn’t work for you is just as important as knowing what does—it’s like piecing together a puzzle. Each job, task, or hobby that doesn’t light you teaches you something.
I often tell clients and podcast listeners, “Process of elimination is progress.” Trying different things—whether it’s a short course, a volunteer role, a side project, or simply talking to others in different roles —can help you identify what doesn’t fit and bring you closer to what does.
How to Take Action:
Think back to roles or projects you’ve done and ask yourself these prompts.
- What drained your energy?
- What didn’t align with your values?
- What environment were you in that least excited you?
Then, focus on what remains—these are your clues for your next move. Don’t be afraid to experiment; even an experience that doesn’t work out adds a layer of clarity.
4. Ask Yourself: Why Now?
Career pivots often come from a desire for more—whether that’s more fulfilment, more balance, or more alignment with the person you’ve grown in to. But identifying your “why” is crucial for creating a plan.
- Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current role?
- Have your priorities shifted due to life changes?
- Are you craving new challenges or opportunities to grow?
Knowing your “why” gives you focus, helping you stay motivated when things feel uncertain.
How to Take Action:
Take a few minutes to reflect on what’s truly driving your career change. Be honest with yourself about your reasons—whether it’s a desire for personal growth, better balance, or something else entirely. Then, identify one simple action you can take today to move toward that goal, whether it’s researching a course, reaching out to someone in a field you’re curious about, or just imagining what fulfilment looks like for you.
5. Build Confidence to Take the Leap
Confidence can often feel like the biggest hurdle when considering a change, especially after years in the same field. But confidence isn’t something you need to have upfront—it’s something you build through taking action.
Every job, project, and skill you’ve picked up over the years isn’t just random isolated knowledge; it’s a layer that builds up, creating a valuable foundation that’s unique to you. Remember, it’s not about waiting for confidence to magically appear before making a move—confidence grows with every step you take. The more you lean into your strengths, embrace new challenges, and take action, the more your confidence will build.
Tips for Building Confidence:
- Reach out to friends, family, and mentors who believe in you. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can boost your confidence and provide the encouragement you need to take the leap.
- Break things down to small manageable steps. Whether it’s updating your CV or LinkedIn profile, attending a networking event either in person or online, or taking a relevant online course, these mini milestones will build your confidence over time.
- Don’t forget to celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Recognise your progress and give yourself credit for every step forward. This will help reinforce your self-belief, remind yourself of your resilience and will help keep you motivated.
- Join a community of women navigating similar transitions because being surrounded by others who are on the same path reminds you that you’re not alone and that others have successfully walked this journey too.
Remember, your second act doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. Allow yourself to experiment, adapt, and grow along the way.
Final Thoughts
Your second act isn’t about erasing your past; it’s about building on it. Each experience, each layer, adds richness to your story. By embracing your journey, using the process of elimination, and asking yourself the important questions, you can approach your transition with focus and intention and you can use your experiences to shape who you want to become and what you want to be doing.
Taking time to explore opportunities that align with your skills, passions, and experiences is an important part of your journey. Every action you take now brings you closer to creating a career that truly reflects who you are and what you want to contribute.
Your second act isn’t just about change—it’s about evolution, and the path forward is yours to shape.
About the expert
With over 16 years of experience as a personal development specialist, Lynsey Hyslop has supported elite athletes, Olympians, and individuals navigating career transitions. As the Senior Personal Development Manager with the Rugby Players Association, Lynsey helps athletes manage their career development both during and after their sporting careers. She is also the host of the globally recognised career podcast When I Grow Up, I Want to Be… The Careers Podcast. Lynsey is passionate about helping others explore non-traditional career paths and successfully manage their second acts. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to identify their strengths, rethink their career direction, and confidently take the next step in their professional journey.
