How to Begin a Successful Career Change

Changing careers is comparable to changing jobs…times ten. There’s the excitement that comes along with beginning any new journey and the fear of diving into uncharted territory.

You know you are ready for a major shift but you may not be sure exactly where to begin. Something about your current career path is unfulfilling. Perhaps it’s not what you initially had in mind when you began or you’ve met the goals you set for yourself now you feel stuck in your career. Regardless of the reason, a career change should be handled delicately. You’ve spent years building a successful career, so unraveling from it and transitioning into a new one will require some time, reflection, and research.

Step 1 to A Career Change: Self-Reflection

• Take time to consider why you are making a career change in the first place. What is driving this desire?

  It is essential that you spend some time figuring out what about your current career dissatisfies you. It is easy to assume that the challenges you are facing warrant a significant change, but in reality, this may not always be the case.

Has your job become boring?

There are times when the job itself may become boring. You may not have had any challenging projects in a while and your days in the office begin to look all too familiar. You wake up dreading to go to work because you are no longer excited and lack a sense of purpose. Solving this problem could be as simple as communicating your needs to your supervisor. He may know of pending projects you could contribute to. You could even brainstorm new projects or initiatives that will help the company become more successful while spicing up your work.

Is the company you work for the problem?

Sometimes the issue is not you or your job rather, It’s your company. A company’s investors & leadership direct the ship and if their values do not align with your values, problems can arise. Carefully assess whether or not the company is a good fit for you. If not, the solution may be to seek a new employer rather than a new career.

If you do conclude a career change is right for you, understand your “why.” When hiring managers realize you are making a major a career change, they will inevitably ask why. Your answer can make or break the interview.

•  Consider taking a self-assessment test.

Most career counsellors would suggest you take some sort of skill or personality assessment test to really gauge where your interests, strengths, skills, and personality meet. It is at this point that you are more likely to find the most career satisfaction and success. You might be surprised at some of the careers these tests match you with.

Think back to your earlier years in elementary school. What did you want to be when you grew up and why? Did you ever pursue that dream? The interesting thing about young children is their uncanny ability to dismiss the world’s opinion about what they should do or think. Your dreams as a child were probably some of the most genuine and pure you’ve ever had. In addition to taking a few self-assessment tests, spend some time mentally reconnecting with the younger you. You may learn more about what makes you happy than you expect.

Step 2 to a Career Change: Research

• Spend time researching your potential new career.

The internet is a great resource. Learn the pros and cons of working in your targeted field and understand the challenges you may face upon entering. It may be necessary to earn a certificate or take a course in order to be competitive. Understanding how the industry works is key to being successful. Different career paths have different rules for success and it is up to you to learn them.

•  Connect with others who are doing the work you want to do.

 Even after researching the new career path you want to pursue, it’s a good idea to dive a little deeper. Find 5 to ten people who have built the career of your dreams and build a connection with them. Ask to shadow them for a day so you can have a better idea of their day-to-day work life. You can also request to interview them about their careers. You are sure to find some useful information you wouldn’t have learned otherwise. This exercise will allow you to learn first-hand about the positives and the challenges of your pending career change. Reading career descriptions online can be vastly different from reality. You want to be certain this is the right move for you.

 Step 3 to a Career Change: Prepare Your Credentials And Resources

•  Revise your resume.

Depending on what your current position is and what your work history looks like, you may need to make changes to job descriptions, notable contributions, etc., so that the information you provide is relevant to your new career goals. Be prepared to highlight how the skills and experience you have gained over the years prepared you for your new aspirations. Hiring managers won’t take the time to put the pieces together, so the responsibility of showcasing why you should be given the opportunity to switch from one career path to another falls upon you.

•  Leverage resources at prior companies you’ve worked at and don’t be afraid to create new ones.

During the final stage of preparing for a career change, spend some time sharing your new career goals with old colleagues. Those more familiar with your work are more likely to give you an opportunity to prove yourself than a hiring manager just meeting you for the first time. Even if they don’t have an opportunity for you, they may know of someone who does and can put in a good reference.

Another strategy to employ is joining some local networking groups. You can make a variety of professional connections that could benefit you at some point on your new career path. The more you network, the more opportunities will present themselves to you.

Embrace Your Career Change

People are freely and readily making career changes every day in today’s economy. When you decide you are ready to embark on a new path, accept the array of emotions that come with it. Fear will inevitably be a part of that mix. Acknowledge and release it. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare, and embrace your new career journey.