At some point, many of us reach a stage where our current job no longer brings job satisfaction or feels like the right direction for our career path. Perhaps you’re a restaurant manager dreaming about switching careers into the tech industry, or maybe you’re working in marketing but yearn to flex your creative muscles with writing. Whatever your current role may be, changing careers as an adult can seem daunting. But with the right ability, a solid action plan, and a little risk, it’s a journey within reach of the average person. In this guide, we’ll explore the process of changing careers, providing advice and further details on how to make a career change.

Recognising the Desire for Change

The first step in any career change is recognising and understanding why you want to leave your current job. Are you seeking a new challenge or a complete change in your career direction? Or perhaps you’re not feeling satisfied or valued in your current sector. No matter the reason, understanding your motivations can help you lead your career plans in the right direction.

Research and Exploration

Once you’ve acknowledged your desire to change careers, it’s essential to research your desired new industry or specific industry. Explore different roles and career options, look up the qualifications required, and understand the skills needed to make the transition. For instance, if you’re interested in computer science or data science, there are many online resources to learn new skills. Career services, such as CareerHub can provide valuable advice and help.

Transferable Skills and Further Learning

Look at your unique background and assess your transferable skills. You might be surprised at how many skills from your day job can be applied to your new career. Skills such as time management, problem-solving, and writing can be beneficial in almost any career. However, it’s also important to recognise where you might need to gain new skills and consider how to do this. This could involve online courses, part-time study, or even taking an entry-level position in your chosen industry.

Building a Professional Network

Building a professional network is a crucial part of any career change. Start by setting up a personal website showcasing your skills and experience. Then, consider attending industry events or joining online communities to start making connections. Informational interviews are also a great way to gain insights into your chosen industry and potentially open up job opportunities.

Taking the Leap

When you’re ready to make the leap, consider crafting a tailored cover letter and resume, highlighting your transferable skills and your enthusiasm for the new job. Remember that changing careers can be a process, and it may take time to find the right opportunity.

Bonus Tip: Embrace the Journey

Remember that changing your career is a journey. It’s not just about the destination (the new job or new role), but also about the process and what you learn along the way. The many benefits of changing careers often go beyond the job itself – it can give you new perspectives, increase your job satisfaction, and even provide a better work-life balance. So, embrace the journey, keep a positive mindset, and don’t be afraid to seek support when needed.

  • Experiencing the New Career Path

    Changing careers as an adult isn’t a simple task. It requires research, planning, and a fair bit of self-reflection. Before leaving your job, try to experience what your next position might feel like. Use your free time to experiment with the industries or roles you are interested in. This could involve volunteering, job shadowing, or conducting informational interviews with people who have careers you admire.

  • Visualising Your Future Life

    Visualise the kind of life you want to build, the type of person you want to be, and how you want to spend your most time. Consider conducting a thought experiment by writing your future autobiography, reflecting on the most defining events and what you want to be remembered for. It doesn’t need to be 100 pages long, but it should give you an idea of what you want your journey to be.

  • Setting Your End Goal

    Next, ask yourself some key questions: What’s your end goal? If you keep doing what you’re doing today, will you get closer to your ultimate goal? Will your future self have more or less regrets because of your current choices? Then, write down the steps you need to take to make your future self proud and the problems that you might encounter in doing that. Understand the challenges that are keeping you where you are and figure out the things you need to do to get closer to your goal.

  • Be Curious and Willing to Experiment

    Remember, when it comes to career transitions, there isn’t a formula. Be curious, be willing to experiment, and figure things out. However, also be prepared for multiple rejections. Most career transitions and hiring processes rely heavily on past experience. But remember, you don’t need everyone to take a bet on you. One will do, and if your resolve and preparation are strong enough, you will get someone to take that chance.

  • Being Realistic and Taking Micro-Steps

    Be realistic about your goals. Some transitions are unlikely in the short term. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals in unrealistic timeframes. Gradual change is often much more sustainable. Dream big and act small by trying to take micro-steps in the right direction. Micro-actions compound over a period of time to deliver exponential results. So, take the first step and be consistent about it​.

  • Creating a Backup Plan

    Lastly, have a backup plan. Create an alternative you can live with when things aren’t going as envisioned or planned. This can bridge the skill and network gap you might be facing during career transitions and set you up on the journey you wish to embark upon. Set a timeframe for your career transition, and if it doesn’t work out in that timeframe, you can rethink your goal or look at accomplishing it in the longer term if it still interests you.

Conclusion

An adult career change can be a transformative experience, full of opportunities to learn, grow, and make progress in new and exciting directions. Whether you’re interested in breaking into the tech industry, pursuing a career in data science, or just seeking a new challenge in a different industry, remember this: it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, and with the right action plan, support from CareerHub, and a professional network, you can make a career change and thrive in your new job.