LinkedIn respects your privacy

LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.

Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. You can update your choices at any time in your settings.

Agree & Join LinkedIn

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Top Content
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
  1. All
  2. HR Management
  3. Career Management

You've faced a setback in your career journey. How can you turn failure into a stepping stone for success?

Experiencing a setback in your career can be disheartening, but it also presents an opportunity for growth. Here's how you can turn failure into a stepping stone for success:

  • Reflect on the experience: Identify what went wrong and what lessons can be learned.

  • Seek feedback: Ask trusted mentors or colleagues for constructive criticism to gain new perspectives.

  • Set new goals: Use insights gained to set clear, attainable objectives and create an actionable plan.

How have you turned setbacks into successes? Share your strategies.

Career Management Career Management

Career Management

+ Follow
Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
  1. All
  2. HR Management
  3. Career Management

You've faced a setback in your career journey. How can you turn failure into a stepping stone for success?

Experiencing a setback in your career can be disheartening, but it also presents an opportunity for growth. Here's how you can turn failure into a stepping stone for success:

  • Reflect on the experience: Identify what went wrong and what lessons can be learned.

  • Seek feedback: Ask trusted mentors or colleagues for constructive criticism to gain new perspectives.

  • Set new goals: Use insights gained to set clear, attainable objectives and create an actionable plan.

How have you turned setbacks into successes? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
33 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Seema Shah

    From Overwhelmed to Empowered | Training Professionals & students to Lead Confident, Purposeful Lives

    • Report contribution

    These will owrk: Reflect & Learn: Analyze what went wrong and extract key lessons. Reframe Mindset: See failure as feedback, not defeat. Adjust Strategies: Modify your approach based on insights gained. Seek Mentorship: Gain guidance from those who’ve overcome setbacks. Stay Resilient: Keep moving forward with persistence. Take Action: Apply lessons proactively to future opportunities.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Vivekananda Sinha

    Entrepreneur & CEO⚡️Mentoring Individuals move from Stagnant Career⚡️Helping Founders & CEOs Grow Fast on LinkedIn⚡️Creating Diversified Income Streams⚡️Best Selling Author⚡️Keynote Speaker⚡️Top 20 Entrepreneurs in India

    • Report contribution

    Facing a setback in your career is challenging but also an opportunity to grow. First, accept the failure without blaming yourself or others. Reflect on what went wrong and identify lessons learned. Use this knowledge to improve your skills and make better decisions. Stay positive and keep your goals clear. Seek feedback and support from mentors or peers. Remember, failure is not the end but a step toward success. By learning from mistakes and staying determined, you build resilience and move closer to achieving your career goals.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Sunil Gandhe

    Managing Director | COO | Startup Cofounder | Business Builder | Cross-functional Leader | Technology Enabler | IIT | IIM | Ex-Microsoft | Ex-SAP

    • Report contribution

    A setback in a career journey is extremely discouraging but it also helps build resilience in the long run - 1. Reflect on what went wrong and learn from the incident 2. Seek feedback from ex-colleagues and mentors. Build an action plan to self-improve and land a new career opportunity 3. Coaching can help during such times 4. Regular exercises and breathing techniques can help stay positive. This is very critical during this phase 5. Focus on learning something new or training courses in area of interest

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Mohsen Tayyebi

    DBA | Strategic HR Leader | HR Director | Consultant Manager | Expert in Talent Acquisition & HR Development | Driving Organizational Excellence Through Strategic HR Solutions & Workforce Planning

    • Report contribution

    1. Analyze & Learn Take a step back and assess: What led to the setback? What could have been done differently? What key lessons can be applied in the future? 2.Rebuild with Purpose Use your newfound knowledge to pivot and adapt. This may mean upskilling, networking, or even exploring new career paths that align better with your strengths.

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Nethusha R.

    🏆 Award-Winning Career Coach | Certified Resume Writer | LinkedIn Optimization Specialist | Helping Professionals & Students Build Irresistible Brands | Microsoft

    • Report contribution

    I personally see setbacks as powerful learning moments. When our clients at Adivantix Consultants, face career obstacles, we guide them to reflect deeply on what went wrong and extract key lessons. Seeking feedback from mentors or colleagues helps uncover blind spots and new perspectives. From there, we reframe failure as growth, setting clear, achievable goals based on insights gained. A strong action plan with accountability ensures progress. Resilience and adaptability turn setbacks into stepping stones for success. Every challenge is an opportunity to refine skills and move forward stronger.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Anne-Marie T.

    Bereaved by suicide | The Seddon Legacy Project | Mental Health First Aider.

    • Report contribution

    Setbacks are a normal part of personal and professional development. I find it can be difficult sometimes to regain focus and realign with the purpose. A good strategy I find is writing pros and cons to what has caused the set backs and creating goals to overcome setbacks in the future more easily. Finding reason, can motivate a person to want to achieve & succeed

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Namrata Samson

    Fractional CHRO & Strategic HR Consultant | Leadership & Career Coach | Transforming People, Policies, Processes & Systems to Improve Performance & Enable Growth.

    • Report contribution

    Setbacks sting, but they don’t define you—they refine you. Here’s how to turn failure into a career comeback: – Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, ask why it happened. Every setback carries a lesson—find it. – A trusted mentor or colleague can offer valuable insights you might not see. Honest feedback fuels growth. – Failure isn’t an endpoint; it’s a pivot point. What strengths did this challenge reveal? How can it shape your next move? – Use what you’ve learned to create a stronger, clearer game plan. Break it down into small, actionable steps. – Resilience isn’t about bouncing back; it’s about bouncing forward. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that every setback is setting you up for something greater.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Steve Man

    Career Coach and HR Consultant I Resume & Interview I Mid-Age Transition I Personal Branding I Enneagram Coaching

    • Report contribution

    Encouraging a mindset shift is essential. Reframe the setback as a learning opportunity. Guide them to identify strengths and insights gained from the experience, which can pave the way for growth. Setting clear, SMART short-term and long-term goals will help you create a structured plan for moving forward. Developing an actionable plan that includes identifying the next steps and accessing resources will also provide direction and motivation.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Mohsen Tayyebi

    DBA | Strategic HR Leader | HR Director | Consultant Manager | Expert in Talent Acquisition & HR Development | Driving Organizational Excellence Through Strategic HR Solutions & Workforce Planning

    • Report contribution

    Shift Your Mindset View failure as feedback rather than a defeat. Every setback offers valuable lessons that can guide you toward improvement.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Maggie (Xin) Sun, CPTD®, SHRM-SCP, PMQ

    Global Organizational Strategist | SHRM-SCP & ATD-CPTD | AI-aligned Content Evaluator | SHRM Global Instructor | Founder | Bilingual Logic Architect

    • Report contribution

    Job insecurity isn’t just a challenge—it’s a constant reality in today’s volatile world. Having navigated industry shifts myself, I know resilience isn’t about avoiding change—it’s about adapting fast: 1. Reinvent continuously—I transitioned from HR leadership to global consulting, integrating AI-driven OD strategies to stay ahead. 2. Network smartly—In 400+ coaching cases, I’ve seen how proactive networking opens doors beyond job boards. The right relationships open unseen paths, bring guidance, and offer opportunities. 3. Embrace change—Many resist career pivots, but those who stay open-minded, explore emerging fields, and develop cross-functional expertise thrive. To adapt, upgrade, and reposition oneself is the real competitive edge.

    Like
    2
View more answers
Career Management Career Management

Career Management

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on Career Management

No more previous content
  • You're eyeing a salary bump in finance. How can you prove you're worth it?

    41 contributions

  • You're seeking a promotion but faced with vague promises. How can you navigate this uncertain terrain?

    73 contributions

  • You're evaluating soft skills during a performance review. How do you effectively provide feedback?

    20 contributions

  • You're facing client dissatisfaction with operations leadership. How can you turn things around?

  • Navigating a constantly shifting job landscape. How do you prioritize your career goals?

  • Your client keeps demanding last-minute changes. How do you handle this professionally?

  • You’re juggling daily tasks and future aspirations. How do you achieve career balance?

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Change Management
    You want to move up in your career. What’s the best way to show your boss you’re ready for a promotion?
  • Performance Management
    Here's how you can navigate career failure and decide whether to persevere or change direction.
  • Decision-Making
    Here's how you can navigate the decision to persevere or pivot after a career failure.
  • Executive Management
    How can you leverage a career setback to achieve greater success?

Explore Other Skills

  • Training and Development (HR)
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Training
  • Career Counseling
  • HR Consulting
  • Career Development
  • HR Operations
  • Resume Writing
  • Recruiting
  • Global Talent Acquisition

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
3
33 Contributions