Who do You think You are?

Reclaiming Your Professional Identity During Career Transitions.

When we lose a job or go through a major career shift, the first thing we often lose isn’t just the paycheck—it’s our sense of identity.

You might start asking yourself quietly—or even out loud—“Who am I now?”

Am I still valuable? Still good enough? Still relevant?

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The Power of Professional Identity

Your professional identity isn’t just your job title or the bullet points on your resume. It’s the internal narrative you hold about who you are at work—your capabilities, your value, and your place in the working world.

It includes:

• How you define your expertise and capabilities

• The value you believe you bring to organizations

• How you see yourself in relation to others in your field

• The impact you believe you can make

And here’s the crucial thing: 

Your professional identity acts as either a ceiling or a foundation for your career growth.

• When it’s limiting or outdated, it holds you back.

• When it’s empowering and accurate, it propels you forward

Identity Shifts in Career Transitions

Career transitions—whether it’s job loss, changing industries, or stepping into leadership—often trigger identity crises. These moments force us to confront and reimagine who we are professionally.

Common identity challenges include:

• After job loss: “Am I still valuable without my position?”

• During career changes: “Can I really be successful in this new field?”

• When seeking promotion: “Am I really leadership material?”

• After rejection: “Maybe I’m not as qualified as I thought.”

A Real-Life Example 

I worked with a procurement manager who had been let go after a major restructuring at a high-tech manufacturing firm. When we first connected, she described herself as “out of work” and “worried about staying relevant”—identities rooted in fear and uncertainty.

But through our work, she reframed her self-image—from “unemployed” to: A procurement leader who drives cost savings, strengthens supplier relationships, and builds resilient supply chains in complex global environments.

This wasn’t about pretending or just positive thinking. It was about recognizing the truth of her value—clearly, confidently, and without apology.

That shift transformed her job search, her interview performance, and the kinds of opportunities that came her way. She moved from hesitation to confidence.

The Needy vs. Valuable Mindset

One of the most powerful identity shifts happens when we move from a needy mindset to a value-creation mindset.

The Needy Mindset:

• Focuses on what you want to get

• Approaches opportunities from desperation

• Communicates insecurity and uncertainty

• Creates pressure in interactions

• Diminishes perceived value

The Value Creator Mindset:

• Focuses on what you have to offer

• Approaches opportunities with confidence

• Communicates capability and purpose

• Creates ease in interactions

• Enhances perceived value

Let’s be real: if you need a job, you need a job. But even in that situation, your value hasn’t disappeared.

When you approach opportunities centered on what you offer—not what you need—everything changes: your confidence, your communication, and the way others respond to you.

Reimagining Your Professional Identity

So how do you start defining a more empowering professional identity?

Start by reflecting on these questions:

• What problems am I particularly good at solving?

• What unique perspective do I bring from my experiences?

• What have others consistently recognized as my strengths?

• What impact do I want to make in my field or organization?

• How would I describe my value if I weren’t limited by job titles?

Now, try crafting an identity statement that reflects who you are—beyond your current role or status.

For example:

Instead of:“I’m an unemployed marketing manager looking for work.” 

Try: “I’m a digital engagement specialist who helps companies build meaningful customer relationships across channels.”

Instead of: “I’m just a project coordinator hoping to become a manager someday.” 

Try: “I’m a process optimization expert who brings clarity to complex initiatives and helps teams deliver results efficiently.”

This isn’t about inflating your skills. It’s about accurately owning your value, regardless of your current situation.

Embodying Your Professional Identity

Once you’ve clarified your identity, the next step is to embody it.

Here’s how:

1. Update your language – How you talk about yourself shapes how others see you

2. Seek aligned opportunities – Look for roles or projects where your true value shines

3. Build evidence – Track wins and feedback that reinforce your identity

4. Connect with community – Engage with people who affirm and reflect your professional identity

5. Continue evolving – Let your identity grow as your skills and goals evolve

Your professional identity isn’t fixed. It’s a living, evolving story—and the more consciously you shape it, the more empowered you become.

Final Thought

“Who do you think you are?” That’s a question only you can answer.

And when you answer it with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, it becomes your foundation—not a source of doubt.

This isn’t about creating a persona or pretending to be more than you are. It’s about recognizing who you already are—what you’ve built, what you’re capable of, and what you uniquely contribute.

When you know that… You walk into every room, every opportunity, every challenge—with purpose.

Your Next STEP

This week, I challenge you to write your own professional identity statement—one that goes beyond your job title and captures the unique value you bring. Use it in a networking conversation, a LinkedIn headline, or even just to reframe how you talk about yourself.

To help you get started, you can download my free Professional Identity Worksheet below.

And if you’re ready for a deeper dive into building a resilient, fulfilling career, check out my book: “Future-Proof: Build a Career That’s You.”

If this post helped you rethink your career strategy, subscribe for more insights on building an authentic, future-ready career.

For a deeper exploration with stories and examples, check out this book: “Future-Proof: Build a Career That’s You.”  It covers many other tools to help you design a sustainable, fulfilling career.

Professional Identity Worksheet

👉 Download the Free Worksheet to clarify your direction.

Click here for direct access. ✅ Google doc: click File, then Make a Copy

✅ Microsoft Word: click File, then Download, then choose Microsoft Word (.docx)

✅ PDF: click File, then Download, then choose PDF Document (.pdf)

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