Episode 62: Taming the Inner Critic During Career Transition

Episode Summary

What if the most powerful shift in your career started with one small step?

In this episode, Coach Mo welcomes back Michelle Schafer, career and leadership coach and bestselling author of Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions With Purpose. Together, they unpack the emotional and tactical realities of career transition, especially during job loss, layoffs, and uncertainty. Michelle shares the inner hurdles she overcame to write her book—and how the same mindset tools apply to job seekers stuck in fear, shame, or procrastination. From battling the inner critic to redefining progress beyond job offers, this episode is packed with resilience-building, practical strategies for those seeking more purpose in their work. Whether you're navigating a career pivot, recovering from burnout, or updating your resume, you’ll leave this episode with renewed clarity—and the next right step.

Key Takeaways

• “Just do it” isn't cliché—it’s strategy
  Learn how Michelle’s writing process mirrors the small-step approach that helps job seekers overcome overwhelm and take action.

• Progress isn’t just job offers—it's daily reps
  Redefining success during job search: why asking for a LinkedIn recommendation can be just as meaningful as landing an interview.

• Tame the inner critic with truth and structure
  Discover Michelle’s framework to shift from self-doubt to clarity and confidence in articulating your value.

• This isn’t your forever place
  How reframing your layoff story and accepting support helps you reclaim momentum after job loss.

• Articulate your value with 3 simple questions
  Use the “what, how, and so what” framework to build compelling resume bullets and reclaim your career narrative.

Bio

Michelle Schafer is an ICF-certified coach, author and facilitator, specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to navigate career transitions with confidence. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1 and in groups, is the proud author of the #1 best selling book "Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose" and most recently was recognized as one of Ottawa's Top Coaches in 2024.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ 

Website:  https://mschafercoaching.ca/ 

Free offer #1: A free chapter from my book - sign up here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ 

Order my book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose here: 

https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ 

Free offer #2: Download the reflection tool Career Focus Framework here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/ 

Email me here: michelle@mschafercoaching.ca

Book a complimentary 30 min discovery call with me here:  https://calendly.com/coaching-with-michelle-schafer