Career change through coaching: How to find your new path in 2026?
When you think about it every night: "Surely there must be something better than this"
At the age of thirty-eight, Mark woke up every morning with what felt like a heavy blanket on his chest. He had worked for the same multinational company for thirteen years, earning good money, respected for his work - yet every day he felt something was missing. When he came home at night, his wife would often ask him, "What's wrong?" Mark would just nod, but inside he knew the answer. It wasn't his work that was the problem, it was that it wasn't ő was his work.
This story is not unique. According to the latest statistics, people change an average of 12 jobs in their lifetime, and 32% of 25-44 year olds have considered a career change in the past year. But why is it so hard to make the move? And how can the career change coaching?
The inner voice you've been silencing for too long
I am reminded of Simon Sinek's famous saying, "People don't buy what you do, they buy what you do it for." This can be seen as the cornerstone of career change coaching. When someone is thinking about a career change, it's rarely a question of "what" - they know they need to change. The real question lies behind the "why".
Why do people feel that their current job is not theirs? The answer often goes deeper than we think. It's not just about pay or working conditions. It's about whether your values, desires and abilities are in harmony with what you do every day.
The real role of career change coaching
Career change coaching is not about someone telling you what to do. Rather, it's about helping you explore, who you really are and what you want at work. This process often brings unexpected insights.
I remember the story of Eszter, who worked as a controller for fifteen years. She was punctual, reliable, well-paid. Yet every day she felt like an "actress" in her own life. It was during career change coaching that she discovered that what she was really missing was a connection with people. Now working as an HR business partner, she says: "I'm finally at work, not just a function.
What does career change coaching actually mean?
A career change coaching more than just advice or job search assistance. It's a structured, personalised process to help you uncover your inner motivations, identify your true values and skills, and then take practical steps towards a new career path.
"The biggest risk is not taking a risk" - Mark Zuckerberg
This idea is particularly true in the field of career change. Many people spend years in a job that provides security but does not bring out the best in them.
The main elements of career change coaching
1. Developing self-awareness The first step in the process is always deeper self-awareness. What do you like to do? What are you really good at? What are your values? These questions may seem simple, but the answers are often surprising.
2. Exploring opportunities The coach will help you to realistically assess what options are available to you. This means not only the obvious options, but also areas you hadn't thought of before.
3. Identifying barriers What is holding you back from change? Fear? Financial worries? Family expectations? These barriers also need to be identified and addressed.
4. Preparing an action plan Career change coaching is not just a conversation - it sets out concrete, actionable steps to achieve your goal.
When should you choose career change coaching?
Signal light: these are signs that it's time to make a change
It is not always easy to know when to ask for help. Here are some signs that you may be career change coaching can be useful:
- Monday Depression: Every weekend you get anxious at the thought of going back to work on Monday
- Energy poverty: Even though you are physically healthy, work exhausts you and does not inspire you
- Inexplicable dissatisfaction: Objectively everything is fine with your work, but you are dissatisfied
- Dreaming: You often find yourself fantasising about other careers
- A feeling of stagnation: You feel you are no longer improving, no longer learning new things
The story of Gábor
Gábor was a forty-three-year-old engineer when he came to us. He had a good job, working in a management position in a large company. Yet he constantly felt that his work was "lifeless". Career change coaching revealed that he had always been attracted to teaching, but had never taken it seriously as a "career option". She now teaches in a technical college and works part-time as a consultant. As he says: "I'm finally doing something that gives my life meaning."
The career change coaching process: step by step
1. Situation assessment and target setting
The first step is always to assess the current situation. Where are you now? What is working well? What do you want to change? This doesn't just mean your job, but your whole life situation.
SMART objective in career change:
- Specific (Specific): What kind of job or field do you want?
- Measurable (Measurable): How will you measure success?
- Achievable (Available): Is what you have planned realistic?
- Relevant (Relevant): Does it fit your values?
- Time-bound (Time-bound): When do you want to reach me?
2. Competency assessment and values clarification
| Areas | Current level | To be developed | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional knowledge | High | Learning a new area | Course, training |
| Communication | Medium | Presentation skills | Practice, coaching |
| Leadership | Starting | Team management | Mentoring programme |
| Networking | Low | Contact us | Networking events |
3. Exploring opportunities
Career change coaching is not just about looking at the obvious options. Often areas come up that you hadn't thought of before. A coach will help you to:
- Exploring the hidden opportunities
- We look at hybrid solutions
- Assessing the options for a gradual transition
- Identify the supporting environment
4. Tackling obstacles
Financial obstacles A career change often involves a temporary loss of income. How can this be managed?
Family expectations What will family members think of the change?
Lack of self-confidence "Will I be able to succeed in the new field?"
Age-related concerns "Am I too old to change?"
Career change coaching vs. traditional careers advice
What is the difference?
Traditional careers advice is often just tips on how to find a job or write a CV. A career change coaching goes much deeper than that. It looks not only at how to find a new job, but also at what makes you really happy at work.
Traditional advice:
- Focus: job search techniques
- Timeframe: short term
- Approach: one size fits all
- Result: new job
Career change coaching:
- Focus: overall life strategy
- Duration: Long term
- Approach: personalised
- Result: sustainable career change
Based on the CoachLab experience
More than ten years career change coaching we have found that the most successful transitions happen when people are not only looking for a new job, but also building a new identity. This takes time, but the results are much more lasting.
Successful career change: real case studies
Klára's story: from law to coach
Klára worked as a lawyer for twelve years. She was successful and well-paid, but after a while she felt that her work was "soulless". During career change coaching, it became clear that she was really interested in people development, not legal procedures. Now a business coach, he says, "I'm finally doing work that gives my life meaning."
Tamás' transformation: from IT to hospitality
Tamás worked as a programmer for twenty years. He was well paid but increasingly lacked personal contact. Career change coaching helped him realise that he was really interested in gastronomy. She now runs her own restaurant and, although she earns less, she is happier.
Common points in success stories
Successful career change stories have several elements in common:
- Gradual transition: Rarely happens in a day
- Supportive environment: Support from family and friends is important
- Continuous learning: Learning new skills
- Patience: Change takes time
- Flexibility: Ability to change strategy
The effects and benefits of career change coaching
Short-term impacts
First 1-3 months:
- A clearer view of the current situation
- Setting specific objectives
- Preparation of an action plan
- Increasing motivation
3-6 months:
- Taking the first steps
- Building relationships in the new area
- Starting skills development
- Increase self-confidence
Long-term benefits
6-12 months:
- Concrete progress in the new area
- Stronger professional identity
- Better work-life balance
- Increasing satisfaction
1-2 years:
- Successful career change
- Stable new position
- Learning new skills
- Total life strategy makeover
How to choose a career change coach?
What to look out for?
Professional background
- What are your qualifications?
- Do you have experience in career change?
- Are you familiar with the sectors you work in?
Methodology
- What tools do you use?
- How is the coaching process structured?
- How structured is the approach?
Personal chemistry
- Do you trust him?
- Do you understand the way he communicates?
- Is your attitude supportive?
First consultation: what should you be prepared for?
During the first career change coaching session, the following topics are usually discussed:
- Assessment of the current situation
- Motivation for change
- Analysis of previous experiments
- Clarifying expectations
- Description of the coaching process
Common questions and misconceptions
"I'm too old for a career change"
This is perhaps the most common misconception. Statistics show that 32% of 25-44 year olds have considered a career change in the past year, but career change is possible at any age. In fact, a more mature age is often an advantage, with more experience and a more stable financial background.
"I cannot afford a pay cut"
This is a real concern, but the career change coaching helps you develop strategies to minimise financial risks. Gradual transition, side income, retraining - there are many options.
"I don't know what I want to do"
This is why career change coaching is useful. You don't need to know the answer in advance - part of the process is exploring it together.
Career change coaching: Investing in the future
What do you get?
A career change coaching not a cost, but an investment. What you get:
In the short term:
- Clearer vision
- Specific plan
- Increasing motivation
- Professional support
In the long term:
- Successful career change
- Greater satisfaction
- Better quality of life
- A more stable future
Retrieval
The cost of career change coaching is usually recouped in the first year, as:
- Increasing job satisfaction
- Performance improves
- Reducing stress
- Long-term earning potential increases
Next steps: how to get started
1. Self-reflection
Before you look for a coach, fill in this quick self-assessment:
Satisfaction scale (1-10):
- With my current job: __/10
- My career direction: __/10
- Work-life balance: __/10
- Future outlook: __/10
If any score is below 7, you should consider career change coaching.
2. Gathering information
- Have a look at our coaches, for example: CoachLab or CoachBp pages and on the Coach Search at
- Read references
- Look at the methodologies
- Ask about the costs
3. Taking the first step
The hardest step is always the first. But as with any journey, you have to start with the first step.
Summary: The start of a new journey
A career change coaching not magic. It will not change you overnight. But it gives you the tools and perspective to help you find your own way to happier, more meaningful work.
Mark, who I mentioned at the beginning of this article, is now an environmental consultant. He earns less than he used to, but every morning he gets up looking forward to going to work. "I'm finally doing something that matters," he says.
Career change coaching is not just about work. It's about who you are, what you want and how you can make it happen. This investment in yourself is probably the best thing you can do.
In 2026, many will wake up like Mark did. The question is: will you be one of them, or will you take the first step towards change?
Career change coaching is a journey on which you are not alone. You have someone by your side to help you find your way to happier, more meaningful work. The journey may not be easy, but it's certainly worth it.
