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Take the Next Step Forward During a Difficult Time: How to Rebuild Confidence and Direction

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<h1>Take the Next Step Forward During a Difficult Time</h1>

<p><em>By Lisa Orbé-Austin, PhD, Executive Coach & Psychologist</em></p>

<p>The editors at LinkedIn recently invited Top Voices to share their best advice for new graduates and anyone facing uncertainty in their careers. When I heard the question—“What now?”—I immediately flashed back to the most uncertain moments of my own journey.</p>

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<h2>Tip #1 – Don’t Let One Bad Experience Derail Your Interests</h2>

<p>During the spring semester of my senior year in college, I was consumed by anxiety and doubt. My writing seminar instructor relentlessly criticized my work, and my classmates followed suit. The experience shook my confidence so deeply that I questioned my future as a writer.</p>

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<strong>Callout:</strong> One harsh critic doesn’t define your potential. Growth is a process—skill and voice develop over time.
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<p>Years later, I published <em>Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt and Succeed in Life</em>. I completed a doctoral dissertation at Columbia and built a writing life that once felt impossible. The experience taught me that criticism often says more about the critic than the creator.</p>

<blockquote>“Your talent is not invalidated by someone else’s limited perspective.”</blockquote>

<h2>Tip #2 – Use Your College Career Center (Even After You Graduate)</h2>

<p>Career centers are among the most underutilized resources available. Alumni often have free or low-cost access to coaching, assessments, job boards, and workshops. Reach out to your alma mater’s career office—you might be surprised at the opportunities hidden there.</p>

<p>If resources are lacking, advocate for better alumni access. Change often begins with collective feedback.</p>

<p>You can also find certified professionals through the <a href=”https://ncda.org”>National Career Development Association</a> or an <a href=”https://coachingfederation.org”>ICF-certified coach</a>.</p>

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“The right guide at the right moment can change your entire direction.”
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<h2>Tip #3 – Get Career Testing When You’re Unsure</h2>

<p>After graduation, I created an informal inventory of what energized me. That reflection would later resemble the structured assessments I now use with clients. If you feel lost, career testing can clarify strengths, interests, and potential directions quickly.</p>

<p>If private coaching isn’t feasible, affordable alternatives such as <a href=”https://www.truity.com”>Truity</a> provide reliable, research-based assessments aligned with professional models.</p>

<h2>Tip #4 – Conduct Informational Interviews</h2>

<p>Unsure what’s next? Talk to people doing work that intrigues you. My f