Years ago our main career goal was to provide a steady income and financial security for ourselves and our family, and for some this is still the case. But now more than ever people find it hard to stay in a certain job role or industry all their lives. A growing group of people want more career diversity; they seek more purpose, a new challenge or just a change of scenery every now and so often.
The decision to make a career change is nonetheless not to be taken lightly. A career change can be an emotional rollercoaster and it comes with having to take tough decisions. But a Career Change is within reach now for most people. In many countries around the world, companies are short staffed and desperately looking for people to strengthen their workforce. Companies are now more open minded than ever to accept candidates from outside their own industry.
Are you considering a career change? Follow our 7 step Action Plan to help you take the right decision and to help you prepare for a successful career change.
Step 1: Self-assessment
Identify your interests, strengths, and values. Consider what truly motivates you and what you’re passionate about in your new career. Also consider what is demotivating you in your current job? Why do you truly want to leave your current career and what would make you happy in a new career. Are you willing to invest into the adaptations needed to enter a new industry or job role?
Step 2: Research desired Career
Learn about the industry, job roles, and requirements. Network with professionals already working in that field to gain insights. Understand the job market, salary expectations, and growth opportunities. Do not only focus on the positive side. Try to be realistic, also take the negative aspects of a new industry or job role into consideration.
Step 3: Skill Gap Analysis
Identify the skills and qualifications required in your target career. Assess your current skills and knowledge to identify gaps. Create a list of the skills you need to acquire or improve. It is also important to identify the skills that overlap the skills needed in your current position. These skills can form the base of your transition to a new industry.
You can read job descriptions to get more insight about the specific skills that are required. Or you can network with people already active in the industry.
Step 4: Set Goals
Define specific, measurable, and achievable career goals. Break these goals down into short-term and long-term objectives. Where do you want this new career to take you, not just in the next year but in the next ten years? Consider the financial impact of the career change, evaluate your financial situation and create a budget.
Step 5: Strategy
Upgrade your Skills. Determine if additional education or certification is needed. Enroll in courses, workshops, or online programs to acquire the necessary skills. Explore options for financial aid or scholarships if required.
Get experience. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time positions in your desired field to gain hands-on experience. Use transferable skills from your current job to make yourself more marketable in the new field.
Start networking. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and other social platforms. Join relevant online communities or forums.
Step 6: Prepare & Apply
Revise your CV to highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences. Create or update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your new career aspirations. Build a professional online portfolio if applicable.
Practice common interview questions related to your new career. Showcase how your skills and experiences from your current job can be applied to the new role. Emphasize that you’re not looking to just leave your current job or industry. Focus on how the current job role or industry will better suit your needs and ambitions. This can be because of your specific interest in the industry or you desire to learn new skills.
Step 7: Stay committed and resilient
Understand that making a career switch can be challenging, and setbacks may occur. Maintain a positive mind-set, stay adaptable, and persevere in the face of obstacles. Remember that a career switch is a process that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and stay committed to your goals. It’s also essential to seek support from mentors, friends, and family throughout your journey.
Although changing careers is never easy and can give a lot of stress, it can also be an extremely. Not just when you finally land that new job, but the process itself can be very insightful and rewarding.
