Foundation & Skills
What’s Your North Star? Discover What Work Means to You.
Feeling stuck, unsure, or just going through the motions? It might be time to find your “North Star”—the career purpose that guides your goals and decisions.
With pepelwerk, you can:
- Reflect on what really matters to you
- Set meaningful career goals
- Align your work with your values
Let’s stop drifting and start driving your future.
Want Fast, Affordable Career Wins?
Get the Skills That Employers Actually Want
Big degrees aren’t the only way to move forward. With Micro-Credentials from pepelwerk, you can learn exactly what you need—fast.
- Affordable
- Flexible
- Focused on in-demand jobs
Whether you’re leveling up or switching paths, these short learning experiences give you real results—without the student debt.
Want to Stand Out in the Working World? Master the Skills That Make Employers Notice.
If you’re early in your career or making a switch, these 4 soft skills can set you apart:
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Digital literacy
With pepelwerk, you’ll learn how to build and show off these must-haves—plus connect with employers who value them.
Looking to reach your career goals faster? Find a coach.
Changing Careers? Build Habits That Set You Up for Your Next Job.
Whether you’ve lost your job due to federal layoffs, feel stuck in your current role or are simply ready for a fresh start, changing careers can feel overwhelming. But building the right habits can make your career transition smoother, faster and more fulfilling—especially when you’re using the best upskilling platforms and tools that help you grow.
With career transition services like pepelwerk, you can take control of your next move and focus on learning, goal setting and getting matched to jobs for career changers. Whether you’re changing careers at 30 or 40, the habits you develop now will shape how quickly you find your footing and feel confident in your next step.
Start by Setting Clear Career Goals for the Field You Want to Switch To
It’s easy to say you want a new job—but what kind? And in what industry? Do you want to earn more or prioritize flexibility? Start your career shift by setting a clear goal job. When you use pepelwerk’s AI Career Assistant, you’ll be prompted to define that goal and receive a personalized learning plan based on the skills you already have and the ones you’ll need to move forward.
Goal setting helps eliminate the distractions and second-guessing that often stall people in transition. By updating your goal regularly and tweaking your plan as you learn and gain experience, you’ll build momentum and stay accountable to your progress.
Don’t Wait for a Layoff—Plan Your Career Comeback with pepelwerk
Build a Learning Habit That Works for You
One of the best things you can do when changing careers is to embrace continuous learning. But don’t just sign up for a course and let it collect dust. Learning should become a habit that fits into your lifestyle. That could mean checking in with your AI Career Assistant every morning before work or spending one hour a week on a new skill module that moves you closer to your next opportunity.
If you’re wondering how to start a new career, remember that preparing doesn’t always mean going back to school. pepelwerk’s Work Hub connects you with training for career change that’s based on actual employer demand—not outdated job boards. So every minute you spend upskilling is aligned with your future income.
Use Career Coaches to Break Through and Find a New Career
If you’re struggling with confidence or unsure how your experience translates into a new industry, now’s the time to get a career coach. Coaches aren’t just for new grads—they’re critical guides for people looking to pivot their path and find the right way forward. They can help you explore jobs for career changers, review your attributes and suggest roles that better match your values and strengths.
With a monthly or preferred pepelwerk membership, you get discounts on coaching or even one free session per year. That extra support can be the difference between jumping to just another job or building a future you actually want.
Create a Routine That Supports Transition
Habits thrive in structure. If you’re dealing with uncertainty after a layoff or looking for a career that better suits your life stage, structure can give you the stability you need. Block time each week to check progress in your pepelwerk account, update your profile with new skills and apply to matched roles. Make it a part of your routine, just like checking your bank account or going to the gym.
When you’re transitioning, motivation can waver. But sticking to a routine ensures that your career momentum doesn’t get lost. This is especially important for people changing careers at 40 who might be balancing family, finances or other life transitions.
Your Next Career Starts with a Habit
Changing careers doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With the right tools and habits, you can build on your strengths, explore new possibilities and land a role that works for who you are now, not who you used to be.
pepelwerk makes it easier to stay productive and focused during a career change, whether you’re dealing with federal layoffs or just ready for something new. Our Work Hub and Career Services were designed for real life, not outdated systems or random job boards.
Here’s how to start building habits that lead to a new job:
- Create a pepelwerk account and set your goal job.
- Activate your AI Career Assistant to track your progress.
- Enroll in training that matches employer needs.
- Work with a coach to build confidence and strategy.
- Apply only to jobs that match your attributes and goals.
Monthly and preferred memberships give you access to priority tools, coaching discounts and automatic matching to work readiness goals. If you’re changing careers, don’t just guess—get started with the platform that helps you stay productive and make progress every day.
What to Do if You're Worried About Being Laid Off or Fired
Getting fired or laid off isn’t always a reflection of your talent or work ethic—it’s often just business. But when you’re prepared with the right tools, a layoff doesn’t have to derail your future. In fact, it could be the push you need to find a better job match, especially if you’ve been stuck in a role that didn’t fit. If you’re concerned about federal layoffs or wondering how to start a new career after a setback, now’s the time to make sure you’re in a system that works for your future.
Stay Career Ready and Changing Careers After a Layoff
No matter your career certainty, getting let go from a job can feel surprising and overwhelming. The traditional scramble—updating your resume, scanning job boards and cold applying—doesn’t work the way it used to. With pepelwerk, you don’t have to start from scratch. You’re already in the system, already being matched to jobs aligned with your skills and goals.
If you’ve lost your job or are worried about it happening soon, use this moment to take control. Get an AI Career Assistant to help you set goals and identify your next steps. You’ll receive insights on the skills in demand for your ideal role, find training for career change options and be guided through your transition.
Don’t Wait for a Layoff—Plan Your Career Comeback with pepelwerk
Why Being in a Talent Development Marketplace Assures Career Mobility
Being part of pepelwerk’s talent development marketplace gives you a massive advantage. Instead of trying to catch up after you’ve been fired, you’re already positioned for success. Companies inside the marketplace can see your attributes, your goals and your development plan—so they know you’re ready for what’s next.
Even better, the platform doesn’t just wait for you to apply. You get matched automatically, meaning if a better opportunity comes along—even before a layoff happens—you could avoid losing your job altogether. The AI Career Assistant runs in the background while you go about your life, giving you peace of mind knowing that you’re actively managing your future.
What to Do After Losing Your Job
There’s no denying that job loss brings uncertainty, but it also creates space for clarity. Instead of reacting in panic, you can use this time for a productive reset. Evaluate where you want to go and what’s been holding you back.
Here’s how to take control of your career transition:
- Create a pepelwerk account and get your AI Career Assistant
- Identify your goal job and generate a personalized learning plan
- Start coaching with a pepelwerk career expert to build your roadmap
- Enroll in skills training matched to in-demand roles
- Stay visible to employers hiring inside the talent development marketplace
Whether you’re exploring jobs for career changers or looking for the best upskilling platforms, you’ll have one source for managing your career, building your confidence and preparing for the future.
Join a System That Does the Job Search Automatically
If you’ve ever said, “I lost my job, now what?” this is your answer. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Let the tools do the heavy lifting. Set your goals in pepelwerk and let your AI Career Assistant take it from there—matching you to roles, training and coaches that align with where you want to go.
With pepelwerk’s Monthly Membership, you’ll get access to your goal job plan, discounts on coaching and free on-demand events. For serious career transitioners, the Preferred Membership unlocks priority job matching, automation tools, one free career coaching session and a free attribute assessment to get you started on the right path.
If you’re changing careers or just want to be ready before something unexpected happens, don’t wait until you get fired. Set your goals now, get matched to better opportunities and bounce back faster with pepelwerk.