READY TO CHANGE CAREERS AND MAKE A NEW START?

Dissatisfied with your current job? Longing for new challenges? Then maybe it’s time to think about a career change. Read on to find out about your options and how to embark on a new career successfully.


Whether you’ve been feeling a creeping sense of discontent or it’s come upon you like a bolt from the blue, the decision to drastically alter your professional life can be highly motivating, yet terrifying at the same time. Nevertheless, heeding those signs is important. When you’re sure about it, taking the leap instead of clinging unhappily to the past can really pay off.

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Taking the first step

People who decide to change careers generally fall into one of two categories. There are those who know where they want to go, and those who aren’t sure where they’re headed.

The first group can start searching for vacancies at suitable companies almost straight away. Securing their new job may simply be a matter of picking up some new skills and knowledge.

The second group faces a greater challenge. After all, simply knowing what you don’t want to do isn’t especially helpful in finding a way forward. You have to work out where you want to go. In this case, the first step is self-reflection. Only when you’ve identified what you want can you start looking for suitable jobs.

Tips for a successful career change

Once you’ve set your goal, it’s time to make the leap. We’ve put together a few tips to make it easier.

- Invest time in upskilling or retraining to build up any knowledge or skills you lack, but which are needed for the job you want.

- Communicate your motivation and passion to potential employers. Emphasise the benefit of your previous experience and how this can add value to your new sector.

- Build up a network of relevant contacts by attending industry events, joining online communities or making the most of mentoring programmes. Industry contacts and support can offer valuable information and opportunities.

Personal benefits

A career change offers more than just a change of scene; it expands your personal horizons, too. Being around new people – especially if they’re from a different generation or social background – can be a breath of fresh air and give you a different perspective on life.

New challenges allow you to grow and gain a wealth of experience. On top of all that, a career change can improve your work-life balance and lead to greater satisfaction overall.

Career change trends

Changing careers is growing in popularity. Just search for ‘career change’ in the main job portals and you’ll find a plethora of job ads from all manner of industries looking specifically for people new to the profession.

This shows that while employees are increasingly looking to change careers, companies are also becoming keener to give them that opportunity. Ultimately, having a more diverse pool of experience among their employees benefits employers, too. Don’t people always say that you need to think outside the box? And who better to help you do just that than people who have changed careers? Companies have recognised the truth of this.

No worries

The thought of starting all over again can be scary. Swapping a career that you’ve built up over decades for an uncertain future definitely requires careful consideration. However, once you’ve weighed up all the opportunities and risks, or if the urge for a change is so great that you simply can’t ignore it any longer, it’s time to take the plunge. If you’re still hesitating, just remember that you’re not giving up your experience or qualifications; you’re just leaving a job. The way back is always open to you.

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