New Book “Uptick” Reveals How to Undertake a Career Change with Confidence

Why do so many people remain in careers that no longer make them happy?

According to Careershifters (2026), 48% of those surveyed never or rarely feel fulfilled by their work. For many mid-career professionals, this is their daily reality: commuting each day to their job, after years of repetition, with an increasingly loud voice saying “Is this really it?” Yet, they remain afraid to make a change – fear of the unknown, with responsibilities on their shoulders and a worry they will have to leave behind everything they’ve spent years building.

Dr Claire Handby is clear it doesn’t have to be this way. Individuals can take their career into their own hands. Through her illuminating new book Uptick, she challenges the myth that a career change means starting over or a spontaneous, unplanned event. At a time when AI adoption and workplace transformation are reshaping traditional career paths, Handby presents career reinvention as an opportunity to reframe, building on existing skills rather than leaving them behind. Combining practical tools and guidance with coaching insights and reflective prompts, Uptick reconnects readers with their “why”, providing an energising blueprint for navigating a successful career pivot with confidence.

A high-trust executive coach and mentor with over 30 years of experience, including major corporates such as EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, Handby expertly synthesises deep insights from her own career, academic teaching, and executive coaching. Handby’s motivational and supportive voice aids readers in navigating what can often feel like a daunting period. Coupled with the book’s accessible and actionable insights, it’s evident that a rewarding transition is not only possible; it’s within reach.

First, Handby guides readers to do the necessary inner work and preparation needed to make their career uptick a triumph. Exploring concepts such as defining the reasons for change, reconnecting with drives and values, redefining what success looks like, and overcoming imposter syndrome and fear. All accompanied by tailored exercises and reflection points enabling readers to refine what they want from a career on their own terms.

Handby then shows how to make this vision a reality, delving into the practicalities of making a career pivot without derailing your finances, building a personal brand that supports your future, and how professionals can repackage and repurpose their existing skills to apply them to their new aspirations. Most importantly, Uptick recognises that career reinvention is an ongoing journey, offering guidance on sustaining success, maintaining motivation, managing expectations and finding balance long after the initial move has been made.

Individuals do not have to settle for career unhappiness. In a world where careers are no longer linear, Uptick is a step-by-step roadmap for turning uncertainty into opportunity and career change into career growth. Whether a disillusioned high-performer, busy professional feeling unfulfilled, or a leader looking ahead, Uptick is an invaluable companion for building a tailored, achievable path towards a more fulfilling and sustainable next chapter.

Uptick is available on Amazon and in all good bookshops from the 14th July 2026.