Still unsure about a career change? Here’s what you need to know

Changing careers is a big decision. You might feel unhappy, bored, or stuck in your current job. You may be on the lookout for new challenges or opportunities. Whatever the reason, changing careers can be a rewarding and fulfilling move. However, it can also be risky and stressful. Before you decide to take the leap, you need to be fully prepared.

The best way to start that preparation is to work out why you want to make a career change.

Why do you want to change career?

Changing career is a major step, with both potential rewards and drawbacks. It’s important that you know what your reasons are for making that change and whether those reasons are valid.

Here are the main reasons why you might want to change career:

• You feel unfulfilled, bored, or unhappy in your current role.
• You want to pursue a passion, purpose, or personal goal.
• You’re looking for more flexibility, autonomy, or work-life balance.
• You’re facing redundancy, unemployment, or a lack of opportunities in your current field.
• You’re adapting to the changing needs and demands of the economy or society.
• You want to move into an industry that has a future, such as green energy.

All of the above are valid reasons for wanting to change career, but what if your reason is more vague or temporary? It’s worth considering if the thought of changing careers is simply a knee jerk reaction. Are you having a bad day or week? Have you been away from work because of illness or pregnancy, and the thought of going back to your job is scary? Do you have a manager who undermines your confidence? It may be that your choice of career isn’t the problem. Instead, some other factor may be causing you to doubt your career path.

Figuring out exactly why you want to change career, and whether that reason is valid, is the first step in deciding whether to make that leap.

What are the benefits of a career change?

The next step is to consider what benefits you would reap from changing your career. Making that move can be to your advantage in all kind of ways. It may help you to:

• experience more satisfaction, meaning, or happiness in your work
• embrace new talents, passions, or opportunities
• develop new skills, knowledge, or perspectives
• expand your network, influence, or impact
• increase your income, security, or growth potential

These are general advantages, but you can also apply this exercise to any new career that you’re interested in. What would be the benefits of working in that role or sector?

What are the risks and challenges of a career change?

Alongside the benefits of changing career, there are disadvantages too. You may have to:

• learn new skills and achieve more qualifications
• start from scratch in an entry level role, lower your salary expectations, or take a pay cut
• deal with uncertainty, insecurity, or rejection as you look for a new job
• overcome self-doubt or fear
• face resistance from friends and family

It’s important that you’re fully aware of the downside of the career change process before you make a decision.

If your worry is that you’re underqualified to make that jump to a new career, read Yes, you can change career when you have no experience.

What to think about before a career change

You know your reasons for wanting to make a change, and the benefits and disadvantages too. Before you make your decision, here are the other factors you should consider:

  Personal and professional goals

Before you change career, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How do they align with your new career path? How will changing careers help you reach your goals? Have your personal and professional goals altered over time?

Having a sense of direction and purpose can help you to stay motivated and focussed on your career change.

  Strengths and weaknesses

What are your strengths and weaknesses? How do they match with the requirements and expectations of your new career? What skills do you need to learn, improve, or update? How can you demonstrate your transferable skills and achievements to potential employers?

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

  Values and interests

What matters to you and inspires you the most? How do those factors relate to your new career? How will changing careers affect your values and interests?

Finding a career that aligns with your values and interests can help you to experience more satisfaction, meaning, and happiness in your work.

  Finances and family

How will changing careers affect your income, expenses, savings, and debts? How will the change affect your family? How will it influence your lifestyle, health, and life balance?

Planning ahead and preparing for the financial and family implications of changing careers can help you to build a real-life picture of what life in that new career will look like.

  Are you ready and willing to change?

This may seem like an odd question to ask, but you need to decide whether change is an actual possibility that you’re willing to work for or simply a pleasant day dream. Are you confident and committed to making a career change? Are you open and flexible to learning new things and adapting to fresh situations? Are you resilient and persistent in overcoming challenges and obstacles? Are you proactive and positive in seeking opportunities and support?

Being fully prepared and willing to make that change will help you succeed in your career transition.

Wrapping it up

Changing careers is a major decision that can have a positive or negative impact on your life. It can be a rewarding and fulfilling move that allows you to pursue your passion, purpose, or goals. On the other hand, it can be a risky and difficult process that causes you stress, uncertainty, or regret. Before you make the leap, it’s important to fully investigate what that change will look like in reality and how it will benefit you.

Making a career change isn’t an easy or quick process. But if you’re determined and passionate about your new career, it can be one of the best decisions you will ever make.