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Changing careers is exciting, but it isn’t a decision to take lightly. No matter your reason for changing jobs, it’s always a good idea to pull a plan together to help your career transition run smoothly.
LLH's report on The Great Potential: Global Workforce of the Future, says that 46% of the workers who took part in their study had questioned a career change but weren’t sure what path to take.
With the right planning, you can ensure you’re fully equipped to change to a career you enjoy. Here are a few things you should know when thinking about a career change.
There are a number of reasons an individual may choose to change careers, such as:
Better pay.
Improved career advancement opportunities.
Enhanced work-life balance.
Better benefits.
Opportunities to explore new areas of interest.
Most people spend a third of their life at work, so it’s in your best interest to ensure you enjoy what you do for the most part. Changing careers can positively impact your mental and physical wellbeing, as well as improve your relationships at home and at work, while boosting your self-esteem and even your bank account.
Consider what makes you happy and what job requirements would make you change careers. This is a good starting point to help you find a new role that you enjoy.
There are a number of things you need to be aware of when changing careers, including:
Your new role may lead to an increase in travel costs, if you need to commute more often.
You may need to take a pay cut for your new role.
Your routine may change if you need to travel more or you need to study alongside your work.
New relationships will need to be built with new work colleagues.
These are a few things to have in the back of your mind when weighing up changing careers. To help make your decision, these are factors to consider:
Identifying how you feel in your current job will help you determine which type of role, industry and environment you would like to work in. This will aid you in conducting relevant research into finding the right role for you.
When debating making a career change, you should think about your previous roles and the transferable experience and skills you have gained. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your core values, enabling you to align potential job roles with your goals and aspirations.
Understanding your interests, skills, and values can help you align them with typical job responsibilities or specific job descriptions. You can then highlight them in your CV, cover letters and interviews to add emphasis.
Start researching industries you are interested in. If you aren’t sure which career you want to transition into, researching sectors and roles within them can provide valuable insight. Our article on ‘how to choose a career’ has further advice about making this decision.
You can use job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn to identify potential job opportunities in your chosen industries. Making a list of potential roles you can refer back to and research is also a good idea.
You can also talk to friends and family, as well as your professional network, to get their views and experience. They may even know of any available job opportunities or tips that can help you along the way.
Now that you’ve properly researched everything you can make note of all your goals and how you plan to meet them. Within this you should think about the types of skills and experience you need, and how you’re going to address any gaps. This will increase your confidence when applying to roles.
Upskilling is a great way to make you stand out from the crowd and prove that you want to work in the industry. There are plenty of free online training courses out there (depending on the industry you are or are wanting to work in) as well as courses you could pay for.
Online training platforms you could look at, include:
Professional development workshops, conferences and presentations are also available to help you enhance your knowledge and skills.
Depending on the role or industry you're aiming to transition into, furthering your education can be a valuable step in making your career change successful. Some careers—such as those in healthcare, IT, or engineering—may require specific qualifications or certifications. In other cases, gaining new knowledge or skills can simply boost your confidence and make you a more competitive candidate.
There are many flexible learning options available to suit different lifestyles and commitments:
Night classes at local colleges or adult education centres are ideal if you're working during the day.
Online courses offer convenience and variety, with platforms like Open University, Coursera, or FutureLearn providing access to both short courses and full qualifications.
College or university programmes may be suitable if you're looking for a more structured or accredited route, especially for regulated professions.
Amending your CV to suit the new industry or role you are applying for and practicing for interviews will also give you the best possible chance of landing a new role.
Navigating a career change can be a daunting prospect, but by following these steps, the journey to a new career can be approached with clear direction and purpose for future success. Read more about the employment support we provide today.
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