Career Transition Guides – paper 1: General principles

This guide is the first in a 9-part series that shares best-practice strategies on managing common career transitions, along with stories from organisations who have supported workers through these transitions. 

A transition is “any event or non-event that changes our roles, relationships, routines and assumptions. It includes the process of moving from what is known, going through a time of uncertainty, and eventually adapting to the new situation”. 

The guides aim to:

• recognise the impact of career transitions on workplaces and workers
• inform workplace leaders and individuals about the importance of supporting transitions through the career journey
• showcase how organisations can support workers across the life cycle in helping to promote and sustain mental health at work
• share inspiring examples of forward-thinking organisations implementing research-led practices to proactively support career transitions. 

The remaining guides provide strategies for managing the following major career transitions:

1. Entering the workforce and young workers
2. Learning to lead
3. Parenting and caring
4. Redundancy and career changes
5. Health-related changes
6. Relocation
7. Crises and career shocks
8. Late career and retirement.