I have been an entrepreneur for a long time and I’ve been through a successful career change or two to get to where I am today. After all, I didn’t start off as co-founder Inc & Co. Success didn’t come to me overnight. To get to where I am today, I’ve had to try my hand at a range of different things. This has meant successfully changing careers and seeking out the best opportunities for myself. This doesn’t simply mean embarking on a quick job search and hoping for the best, hoping that you will stumble upon your dream role in a new sector. It means actively working hard and making a career switch that will benefit your professional progression in the long run.
Think about it, there’s no point making a career switch if you don’t have a good reason to do so. This could be because you’re unhappy in your current role or you have become disenchanted with the industry. It could be because you are hoping to boost your income or pursue a passion. Whatever your reason for changing your career, you need to explore the challenges and opportunities of making a career transition.
How to Navigate Successfully Changing Careers
Whether you are changing jobs in the same field, switching to a new field or starting your own business, changing careers is not something that you should jump into without a lot of thought. Saying goodbye to the comfort of your career can be daunting, and feeling prepared and confident in your ability to succeed is key. Below, I have listed some of my top tips for how to successfully change careers.
- Consider Your Skills and Experience – Even if you are changing careers and heading into a completely new industry, you do need to think about the skills and experience that you already have. Every venture I have pursued has been different and somewhat unique. But, they have been linked by the type of skills needed to do the job. Think about your interests, values and goals. Think about what motivates you and what you want to achieve in your new career. Assess your strengths, weaknesses and USPs. This will help you to identify potential career paths that align with what you have to offer.
- Research Your Potential New Career Field – Before you start your job search, learn about the job market, the required qualifications, and the skills and knowledge needed to secure your dream role. Look for resources such as industry publications, professional associations, online forums,and networking events to gain insights from professionals already working in that field. There is a lot of competition out there, and being prepared is key.
- Look for a Skills Gap – There are a lot of people changing jobs at the moment. So, you’re unlikely to be the only person chasing a new dream. Compare the skills and qualifications you currently possess with those required in your target career, and highlight any gaps. Identify any gaps and come up with a plan to bridge them. You could take courses, attend workshops, pursue certifications or gain relevant experience through volunteering or internships. This will boost your chances of job search success, especially when you are up against individuals who already have experience in the industry.
- Network, Network, Network – It’s always a good idea to build a professional network within the industry that you wish to enter. Attending industry events, joining online communities and connecting with others on LinkedIn will help you to get your foot in the door. Networking can provide valuable insights, job leads and potential mentors who can guide you through the career transition process. A lot of what I do has come from networking opportunities, so don’t underestimate their importance. You really don’t know who you’re going to meet.
- Highlight Transferable Skills – Identify the skills from your current career that can be transferred to your new field. For example, skills like leadership, project management, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are often applicable across various industries. Highlight these transferable skills in your resume, cover letter, and interviews to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
- Patience is a Virtue – It might sound like a cliche, but patience really is a virtue when it comes to navigating career transitions. As I mentioned before, success doesn’t happen overnight, and career changes take time. You’re not going to walk straight into your dream job. You might have some setbacks or rejections along the way, and you might have to start at the bottom of the pecking order. Remember, persistence and resilience are key to navigating a successful career change.
Things to Consider When You’re Going Through a Career Change
Think about what you want to achieve when you’re going through a career change. A career transition can lead to owning a business, but this is a very different journey to starting to climb the career ladder in a different industry. Before you begin your career change, have a clear goal of what you want to achieve in mind.
Changing careers can also have an impact on your finances. It may involve a temporary decrease in income or additional expenses, such as training or education costs. Evaluate the financial implications of your career transition, including how it will impact your lifestyle, savings, and financial responsibilities. Plan your finances accordingly to ensure it’s smooth sailing.
Have you recently had a successful career change? Get in touch and share your story.
