Making a Career Change with Confidence with Joseph Liu

Have you ever wondered whether you’re in the right job, or if you’ve simply grown used to it? Have you ever felt the quiet nudge (or full-blown panic) of knowing a career change might be necessary… but having no idea where to start?

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out alone, either.

In this conversation, I spoke with career consultant, TEDx speaker, and podcast host Joseph Liu about how we navigate career change – especially as working parents juggling practical logistics, emotional pressure, and big dreams. Joseph’s not only an expert in this field, but he’s also helped me personally redefine my career as a working mom coach. He’s been through several career shifts of his own, and his insights are the grounded wisdom I think so many of us need.

Why Career Change Feels So Hard, Even When You Know It’s Time

Joseph shared that he’s made three major career changes: leaving medical school for marketing, relocating internationally, and eventually leaving the corporate world to build his own business.

Each time, the same themes showed up:

Practical fear: “How do I convince someone to hire me without experience?”
Emotional weight: “Why do I dread Mondays, or feel disconnected from my work?”
Self-doubt: “Who am I to do something different?”

And, as Joseph puts it, one of the biggest red flags was when his dissatisfaction at work started leaking into the rest of his life:

My wife told me I wasn’t fun to be around. My friends noticed I was grumpy. That was a wake-up call.”

When You’re Already Successful, But Still Feel the Pull to Career Change

One theme we kept circling back to was how even more difficult it can be to take the leap when you’re already established, respected, and well-paid. Especially for working parents (often mothers) there’s more at stake.

There’s financial fear.

There’s “starting over” at an age when it feels like you should have things figured out.

And then there’s imposter syndrome.

Joseph reminded us that even the most qualified people can feel like imposters, especially when shifting into new territory.

The first person you have to convince is yourself.”

That line gave me chills, and I think so many of you reading will feel that, too.

Do You Need 100% Clarity Before Making a Move?

Short answer: no.

In fact, waiting for total certainty can actually slow you down. Joseph shared that many of the most successful career changers he’s worked with took imperfect steps in the general direction they felt drawn to and adjusted along the way.

Clarity doesn’t always come before action. Sometimes it follows it.”

He recommends giving yourself permission to explore, knowing that the first step doesn’t have to be forever. Think “broadly better” over “absolutely perfect.”

Try This: Set a Timeframe (and a Safety Net) for Making a Career Change

This idea really resonated: If you’re contemplating a leap, try giving yourself a defined timeframe to try it out with clear expectations.

Whether it’s:

✔️ “I’ll try this for a year and see if it’s financially viable.”

✔️ “If I still feel drained in six months, I’ll make a change.”

✔️ “If I’m still not excited on Monday mornings by next quarter, it’s time to go.”

Joseph shared that when he launched his own business, he gave himself a 12-month trial period. He also talked about the value of contingency planning, something I often coach my clients through. It’s not about expecting to fail. It’s about giving yourself enough peace of mind to start.

Having a plan B actually helps you show up more confidently in your plan A.”

Is It a Full Career Change… or a Tweaking of What’s Not Working?

Not all career change needs to be dramatic. Sometimes, what we’re craving is a shift, not a total reinvention.

Joseph suggests looking at different components of your role -location, company culture, function, flexibility – and exploring which ones could be adjusted before making a bigger move.

That said, some companies will meet you halfway. Others won’t.
And it’s okay to be honest about that too.

What If You Just Need a Break?

Many working parents wonder: Can I pause without losing everything I’ve built? Can I take a breath without damaging my future?

Joseph’s take: breaks are powerful if you can afford them, but not all companies will honor them equally. Some clients he’s worked with have been welcomed back with open arms and flexibility. Others have been sidelined, despite everything they contributed.

So before stepping away, ask:

How has my company responded to other people’s breaks?
What’s the realistic cost, and am I okay with it?
Can I set boundaries that protect my time without stepping out entirely?

And most importantly: talk with your partner, your family. Create a shared understanding of what this decision means – not just for you, but for everyone it touches.

The Real Question: “Is This Right for Me?”

Joseph closed our chat with something so grounding:

It’s very difficult to be all things to all people. There’s no perfect decision. There’s just what fits best for the chapter you’re in right now.”

So if you’re sitting in that uncomfortable middle space, unsure what comes next, but knowing something has to shift, start there.

Not with certainty. Not with a fully mapped 10-year plan.

But with a question: What does this chapter of my life need?

And then give yourself the time, space, and support to find the answer without pressure to get it “right” on the first try.

Watch the interview here!

Looking for more support?

✨ You can find Joseph at josephliu.co

🎧 His podcast, The Career Relaunch, features real stories from people who’ve made big career changes (and lived to tell the tale).

And if you’re a working parent navigating career decisions, I’d love to support you too. Because you’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.

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**Career Mum Coach | ACC Executive Coach**

Meet Tania!

With three energetic kids, I know what it’s like to have to juggle your career goals and desire to be a good parent. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping working mums manage your time in the best way, so you can spend quality time with your kids and still find the courage to go after what you want in life.