Who are you if you are not your job title?
- Madrigal Collective
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Let’s be real: Career transitions are brutal.
If you’re in the middle of a job search right now, you know the cycle all too well. It’s the endless networking calls, the black hole of applications, the high-stakes interviews, and that draining rejection loop. It feels like a full-time job that only pays in "thanks, but no thanks."
But as I’ve seen in my coaching—and as I’m experiencing myself in my own transition from diplomat to leadership coach—the hardest part isn’t actually the logistics of the search.
The hardest part is the identity crisis.
The Mission-Driven Trap
Many of us, especially those in mission-driven fields like international development or public service, don’t just do our jobs. We are our jobs. When that work disappears, it feels like a limb has been amputated. You look in the mirror and wonder, "If I'm not [Job Title], who exactly am I?"
With AI shifting the landscape of white-collar work, this feeling of "losing oneself" is one that more and more of us will face. But here is the truth I keep coming back to:
Your job is something you did. It was never the entirety of who you are.
Painting a New Picture
In the video below, you’ll see me practicing some easy watercolor painting. I love working with my hands because it reminds me that even when one "canvas" (like a career chapter) is finished, there is always a fresh one waiting.
Closing a chapter creates the necessary space to rediscover the parts of yourself that were waiting in the wings while you were busy being a "Professional."
How to Stop Chasing and Start Choosing
So, how do you rebuild that sense of self while the "In-Between" feels so uncomfortable? You start with your values. When you align your search with your core values, you stop desperately chasing any lead and start strategically choosing your path.
Ask yourself these three questions today:
What are my core values right now? (Not five years ago, but today.)
Where was I aligned with my values in my last role—and where wasn't I?
How am I living my values in my life right now, even while unemployed?
When you lead with authenticity, people notice. It builds trust in interviews and makes your networking feel like a real human connection rather than a transaction.
Watch the Video
Let’s Do This Together
You don't have to navigate this "in-between" space alone. If you're ready to define who you are outside of your LinkedIn headline, I’m here to help.
Want a head start? I’ve created a free 10-page Values Workbook to help you get clear on your next move.
Get your copy: Send me a DM or use the contact form at the bottom of my site.
Free Coaching Session: I offer these as stress-free consultations to explore how I may be able to help you further. Click on the link below if you are interested.
Let’s turn this transition into your most intentional reset yet!