The Four Types of Career Changers (And Why Generic Advice Fails Them)
Four types of people who need a different interview playbook
In the last post, I shared my winding career story. The pivots, the struggles, the 19 rejections.
Now I want to talk about why I’m sharing all of this, and more importantly, figure out if what I’m building here is the right fit for you.
Because let’s be honest, there’s a lot of generic interview advice out there. Most of it is fine. But it completely fails when you’re not a “perfect fit” on paper.
That’s what this is about. Not generic tips. A specific playbook for a specific type of person facing a specific set of challenges.
So, who is this for?
See if any of these sound like you.
The Four Archetypes
The Career Pivoter
You might be in a stable job right now. Maybe in finance, or tech, or healthcare. But you know it’s not your long-term passion. You’re ready to make a jump to a completely different industry.
The big question: “How do I convince them to hire me when I don’t have the ‘right’ experience?”
The “Non-Traditional” Applicant
Maybe you didn’t go to a top-tier school. Maybe your degree doesn’t perfectly match the jobs you’re applying for. You’re constantly feeling like you have to prove you belong in the room with candidates who have the “perfect” resume.
You know you have the skills, but you struggle to get past the initial screening.
The Ambitious Up-and-Comer
You might be a student or a recent grad, and you’re aiming high. You want to break into a competitive field like consulting, finance, or brand strategy. But you’re competing against hundreds of other applicants.
You need an edge. A way to stand out and make a memorable impression.
The “Stuck” Professional
This one is personal for me.
Maybe you’ve been interviewing for months, or even over a year. You keep making it to the final rounds and getting the same heartbreaking feedback: “We loved you, but we went with someone who had more direct industry experience.”
You’re starting to lose confidence and wonder if your career change is even possible.
If you see yourself in any of those descriptions, then you are in the right place.
What Makes This Different
Here’s what makes what I’m sharing here different.
We don’t run from the fact that you have a non-linear story. We don’t try to hide it or fake it. Instead, that becomes our central weapon. It becomes your Narrative Advantage.
Everything I share here is built on a core belief: The goal of an interview isn’t to prove you have the perfect past experience. It’s to prove you are the best solution for their future needs.
Think about that for a second.
Most people walk into interviews trying to defend their past. Trying to explain away the gaps, the pivots, the “irrelevant” experience.
That’s the wrong game to play.
Instead, I’m going to give you frameworks to reframe your entire work history. Whether it’s as a cashier, an engineer, or a consultant. So that it speaks directly to the job you want.
Not stock answers. Not generic advice.
Real frameworks that let you take control of the narrative.
What You’ll Be Able To Do
By the time we’re done here, you’ll be able to walk into an interview not feeling defensive about your background.
You’ll feel confident and in control, ready to tell a compelling story that connects your past to their future.
You won’t apologize for your winding path. You’ll own it.
And you’ll make hiring managers see that your diverse background isn’t a liability. It’s exactly what they need.
So, if you’re ready to stop feeling like an underdog and start taking control of your interview process, stick with me.
In the next post, we’re going to talk about the most important first step: making the critical mindset shift you need to succeed.
I’ll see you there.
Next up: From “I lack experience” to “My diverse background is my asset”
Here is the complete career playbook for anyone who is pivoting roles, industries, about to graduate, stuck in their current path, not sure what to do next, etc.
The Complete Interview Playbook for Career Changers: Every Strategy, Every Framework, All in One Place
If you’re reading this, you’re probably not the “perfect” candidate.