Need a Change? How to Switch Careers Successfully

Found yourself on the wrong career path? It’s never too late to switch careers!

You shouldn’t stick with a career that doesn’t bring you any joy, no matter how many years you spent studying or climbing the career ladder.

A switch to a new career could make you happier and more fulfilled. Here’s how to make the change successfully and painlessly. 

Find Your Calling

Your new career must be more rewarding than your old career, otherwise you may as well stay put and not put in the effort. Consider the things you dislike about your current career and then figure which careers are unlikely to involve these issues.

Also consider the things you do like about your current career because you don’t want to sacrifice these aspects when switching jobs.

Most people find their calling by following their passions, and this could include chasing a career involving animals or involving music. Consider your personality and the type of jobs that are well suited to it. 

Decide If You Want to Change Industry

Changing to a new job in the same industry is easier than changing to a completely new industry. Decide whether it’s a new job or a new industry you want to get into.

It may be possible to transition into a new industry through a stepping stone job. For example, if you want to transition from being a chef to a journalist, then you may be able to find work as a food journalist and then get into other forms of journalism from there.

Develop the Necessary Skills and Knowledge

A new career field could require you to develop new skills and knowledge. Read books and blogs and familiarize yourself with the industry and how it works.

It could be necessary to obtain qualifications. For example, in healthcare and law, it’s often impossible to get your foot in the door without qualifications. Find courses you can study quickly to obtain these qualifications.

This could be an accelerated course in which you cram lots of studying into a short period of time. Alternatively, you could try an internship that allows you to learn on the job. Online courses could be studied while still doing your current job, so you don’t have to sacrifice an income to gain necessary qualifications. 

Get Some Experience

Get some experience in your new job to increase your chances of getting hired. You may want to try volunteer work if you can by asking a company to volunteer for a week. This voluntary experience may lead to a permanent position if you’re able to prove you’re hardworking and willing to learn. 

Don’t Dismiss Your Past Experience

You may not think your past experience has any value, but there are transferable soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, ability to meet deadlines, creativity, and analytical skills that are valuable in a range of careers. Highlight these transferable skills if you think they may be relevant to your new career.

There are support schemes for people transitioning out of certain careers. For example, you can find truck driving jobs for veterans. This is a case where your past experience in another field could be vital to help you to make the change.

Make the Switch

The hard part is often making the switch, and many people worry about starting again from the bottom and end up putting off their career change. There’s no denying that it will be challenging at first, but consider what’s better: continuing to endure a career you don’t enjoy or carving a new career path for yourself you will enjoy. 

If you do transition into the wrong career, then you can always switch careers again. You can even return to an old career if you desire.