Is It Your Job or Is It You? Defining Success and Navigating Career Transitions with Career Coach Julia Rock
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current job? Before you jump ship, take a pause—because it might not be the job, it might be you. In this enlightening episode of The Present Professional, John and Tony sit down with career coach and workplace strategist Julia Rock to explore the deep and often overlooked internal questions that can redefine your relationship with work.
Julia brings nearly two decades of experience helping professionals, athletes, and organizations uncover what truly drives engagement, fulfillment, and career clarity. Together, we unpack the nuanced question: “Is it the job, or is it me?”—a conversation that touches on everything from burnout and internal pressure to values misalignment and toxic culture.
Whether you’re a high performer on the verge of burnout, an athlete transitioning careers, or a professional wondering if it’s time for a change—this episode will give you the tools to pause, reflect, and take empowered action.
Guest Bio:
Julia Rock is the CEO of Rock Career Development, a career coach for athletes and professionals in transition, a certified professional resume writer, and the author of The Six-Figure Athlete and Athlete to Entrepreneur. Connect with her at rockcareer.com or @thejuliarock on all platforms.
Key Themes:
- The hidden emotional and psychological costs of changing jobs too quickly
- The power of redefining what success means to you—today, not five years ago
- Tools for internal reflection: from journaling to career assessments
- How to prepare for a mindful career transition—from brand building to interviews
- Setting boundaries and assessing the culture during your first 30 days
What we discussed:
0:59 Job Satisfaction: Is It the Job or You?
1:20 Julia’s Credentials and Books
2:00 Julia’s Introduction and Career Focus
3:01 Why Focus on Athletes for Career Coaching
4:34 Employee Engagement and Taking Agency
6:07 The Hidden Factors Blocking Employee Engagement
8:06 Transitioning Athletes to New Careers
9:35 Identifying Personal vs. Job-Related Issues
10:08 Starting the Process of Internal Reflection
11:07 The Importance of Defining Success and Values
12:29 The Role of Self-Evaluation in Career Satisfaction
13:15 The Impact of External Advice and Mentorship
14:52 The Concept of Being the Architect of Your Career
16:29 Recognizing When It’s Time for a Career Change
17:19 The Role of Conversations with Managers
18:15 The Importance of External Conversations
19:08 Taking a Pause to Reflect on Career Goals
20:14 The CEO Mindset in Managing Your Career
21:13 The Process of Internal Work Post-Therapy
22:25 The Influence of Workplace ‘Family’ Dynamics
23:07 The Impact of People on Job Satisfaction
24:24 The Process of Mindfully Transitioning Careers
25:31 The Investment and Risks of Career Transitioning
27:04 Starting the Career Transition Search
28:32 Building a Personal Brand for Career Transition
29:00 Preparing for Interviews in a New Field
30:04 The Importance of Communicating Your Value
31:16 Final Thoughts on Career Transitioning
32:20 The Significance of Transferable Skills
33:28 The Two-Way Street of Job Interviews
34:26 The Role of Mental Capital in Career Changes
35:35 The Process of Interview Preparation
36:25 The Importance of Articulating Your Value
37:19 The Investment Required for Career Changes
38:12 The Time and Energy Needed for Transitions
39:07 The Search for the Right Career Fit
40:20 Refining Your Career Search and Personal Brand
41:15 Interview Strategies for Career Transitioners
42:22 The Three-Pronged Method for Interview Prep
43:36 Determining Organizational Values and Fit
44:50 The Final Steps Before Landing a New Role
Other ways to connect:
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