Careers Have Ups and Downs

We don't talk enough about the tough parts of a career - the in-between jobs, the missteps, the roles that didn't quite fit. But they're just as real (and just as valuable) as the wins.

Most people won't say it out loud, but careers are rarely "linear". We move forward, sideways, sometimes backwards. We take time out. We start again. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don't work out.

Take me. I'm on my fourth career. I've been employed, self-employed, moved to another country, and started again more than once. Each chapter brought something different - skills, perspective, lessons - and none of it was wasted. That's why I don't buy into the idea that there's only one right path, or that success has a set timeline.

Over the past decade, I've worked with candidates who've been at the top of their game - and those who were finding it hard to find work.

Redundancies, restructures, returning after a break, feeling stuck, pivoting industries, or just trying to figure out what's next. It's more common than you think.

If you're in one of those uncertain patches right now, here's what I want you to know: you haven't failed and you're not falling behind. You're just in a different chapter - and plenty of others are too.

A few things I'd suggest if you're in this space:

• start treating your job search like a structured project, not a panic response. Have a weekly plan, track conversations, reflect on what's working.

• reach out to old contacts - genuinely, not to ask for a job, but to reconnect.

• give your LinkedIn a once-over, even a short update or comment once a week can get you noticed.

• focus your applications, ten tailored approaches will do more for you than 100 generic ones.

• have conversations, not just interviews - talk to people in roles or industries you're curious about. Ask questions. Listen.

• don't wait until you're "ready" to get support, talk to people like me, early. We can help you map it out, not just fill in gaps.

From where I sit - as both a recruiter and career coach - I see the full picture. I see people get knocked down by self-doubt, burnout, or economic change… and then go on to find something that fits better than before. I see careers rebooted, skills reframed, and confidence rebuilt. I see it happen every week.

It's tough when things feel still or unclear.

But those seasons often spark the biggest changes.

If you're in one now, don't lose heart. Keep reaching out. Keep moving. Things will shift.