I have been asked many times about career change during my 1-2-1 mentoring sessions. In my point of view, changing careers can feel overwhelming, but it’s becoming more common in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving job market. People switch careers for many reasons—seeking more fulfilment, wanting a higher salary, or adjusting to changes in the industry. No matter the reason, transitioning to a new career requires careful planning and commitment. If you’re ready for a change, I want to share a brief step-by-step guide that can help you navigate the process smoothly.
Step 1: Identify Why Do You Want to Change Career
The first step in transitioning to a new career is understanding why you want the change. Are you bored in your current role? Do you want more work-life balance? Maybe you feel disconnected from your industry or the sector you work in. Identifying the core reasons for your dissatisfaction helps clarify your goals and guides you in choosing a new direction.
Ask yourself questions like: What are my values, and does my current job align with them? What kind of work environment do I want? What skills do I enjoy using most?
Writing down your answers that can help solidify your reasoning and prepare you to communicate it when networking or interviewing in your new field.
Step 2: Research New Career Options
Once you know why you want to make a change, the next step is research. Explore industries and roles that align with your interests, values, and skills. This phase might involve discovering new job sectors you hadn’t considered before.
Here are a few things to consider during your research:
Industry growth: Is the industry expanding, or is it in decline?
Skills needed: What skills or qualifications are required to enter this field? The skills may vary from soft to technical.
Salary expectations: Does this career change fit your financial needs?
Let’s say you’ve been working as an administrative assistant, and after years of handling small projects, you’re interested in moving into project management. Your research shows that project management is in demand in industries like tech, healthcare, banking and finance. You discover that certifications like Prince 2 (Project in Control Environment) are highly valued, and the salary range is significantly higher than your current position.
Step 3: Identify Transferable Skills for Career Change
Most people underestimate how many skills they already have that can be used in a new career. Transferable skills are those you have developed in your current role that will be valuable in another field. These can include leadership, communication, project management, problem-solving or even technical skills.
For example: if you’re a project manager, your ability to manage teams and deadlines is useful in many industries, from tech to banking. Another scenario would be; If you are in customer service, your communication skills and problem-solving abilities can easily transfer to roles like sales or account management.
Create a list of your transferable skills and highlight these in your resume and LinkedIn profile to appeal to employers in your new field.
Step 4: Close Your Skills Gap with Education and Experience (Upskill or Reskill)
Once you’ve identified the industry or role you want to move into. Have a look whether there is any gaps in your knowledge or skills. Upskilling or reskilling is often necessary when transitioning to a new career, but it doesn’t have to mean going back to school for a degree.
For example; If you’re transitioning from accounting into data analysis, you might need to learn tools like Excel, SQL, or Python. You can find affordable courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy to learn these skills. You might also consider earning a certification, such as Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate, to make your resume more competitive.
If you can’t get formal experience in your new field, take on small freelance projects to build experience and a portfolio.
Step 5: Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your first impression to potential employers, so make sure they reflect your new career goals. This doesn’t mean you need to erase your past experience—just highlight the skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the new role.
Here’s how to optimize your resume and LinkedIn for your career change:
Let’s say you’re transitioning from journalism to content marketing. On your resume, focus on the skills that overlap, such as research, writing, and storytelling. You could create a summary like: “Experienced journalist transitioning to content marketing, skilled in crafting compelling narratives and optimizing content for digital platforms.” In nutshell, emphasize on transferable skills that match the new career’s requirements. Also, highlight your most relevant experience first, and tailor each resume to the job you’re applying for. Use keywords that match the job descriptions to increase your chances of passing through automated resume screening tools (ATS).
Step 6: Network and Seek Mentorship
Building connections in your new industry is crucial. Networking isn’t just about finding job leads—it’s also about learning the ins and outs of the industry, hearing about unadvertised job openings, and getting advice.
Here’s how you can network effectively:
Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups to meet people already in the field.
Join online communities or LinkedIn groups where professionals in your desired career interact.
Seek out a mentor in your target industry. A mentor can provide guidance, introduce you to others, and help you avoid common mistakes during your transition.
Step 7: Be Persistent and Patient
Transitioning to a new career doesn’t happen overnight. It may take time to gain the necessary skills and experience, and you might face rejections along the way. But persistence is key.
Let’s say you’ve been applying for jobs as Project Manager for months but keep getting turned down because of a lack of experience. Instead of getting discouraged, you could take a step back, complete a few online courses, work on a small personal project (organizing small event, community project), and then reapply. With your new skills and portfolio in hand, you will be in a much stronger position. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Understand that you may have to take a step down initially before you start climbing the ladder in your new career. But as long as you’re moving toward your goal, you’re on the right path.
At the end, I would say that transitioning to a new career is an exciting opportunity for growth, but it takes preparation, learning, and persistence. By assessing your reasons, researching your options, building on your transferable skills, and continuously networking, you will be well prepared to making a successful career change. Remember, change is a process, and every step you take brings you closer to a fulfilling new chapter in your professional life.