Are you thinking about a job transition or completely changing your career path? Some workers make career transitions voluntarily, while others are forced to pivot professionally. Whether you want to change for personal reasons or out of necessity, you can ease into the transition more smoothly with some preparation.
You can find career transition coaching services that claim to help individuals make promising steps towards their professional goals, but there are some measures you can do yourself. Check out how to determine transferable skills and the steps to switch jobs or careers.
Why Are You Switching Jobs?
Transitioning to a new job can be an exciting change if you have worked towards the new role. But making a career transition can be scary after discovering your industry is obsolete after a company layoff.
Common reasons for switching jobs include:
- Bored or frustrated with current job
- Looking for advancement or more opportunities
- Desire for better pay or benefits
- Need for time or location flexibility
- Reduce stress or anxiety
- Balance work and life
- Find meaningful work
- Experiencing job termination
The reason for a job transition can affect how you handle the change and the best practices to get you on your new career path. For instance, you might accept other employment depending on whether you are looking for more meaningful work or a bigger paycheck.
Likewise, you may need a career that pays comparable to your old earnings but as an entry-level position if your former work experience does not seem relevant anymore. Some laid-off factory workers end up needing to start new careers when their former jobs are no longer relevant due to technology.
Before Making a Career Transition
A job transition can be more time-consuming than regular work-search efforts. In some cases, returning to school may help bump up a worker’s employee-ability, as a degree or certificate corroborates that they have knowledge of how to do something or how something works even without professional experience.
Make a Plan of What You Need
The best career transition companies will tell you to make a plan, develop a timeline, and create steps or milestones to reach your goal. If you have not firmed up what you want to do next, look into the best careers to transition into from your current field.
Start by determining the skills you need in your new profession. Do you need to learn software, take classes, or start a degree program?
Determine What You Can Still Use
Next, identify your transferable skills – hard and soft skills you already have. For example, a cashier may have some math skills to go into accounting or the customer service skills to move into sales. Programs like Microsoft Excel and Word, Google software, and Slack are in multiple industries.
Research the Job or Industry
Learning the terminology and lingo of a new industry can be like learning a new language. Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary, job duties, equipment, and other important information.
Be Realistic Upcoming Life Changes
A career change can affect other parts of your life, like time with family and friends or financial matters. Going to school or committing to an online certification program means sacrificing time spent socializing, relaxing, or doing fun activities.
Your income and lifestyle may have to change too. Making less money in a new role while you restart your career could mean going without daily luxuries, like daily $5 coffees, or making hard financial decisions, like downsizing your home.
Keep the members of your home in mind too. Does a job change mean relocation or more child care services? Consider these effects on your partner, children, roommates, pets, and other relationships, and discuss upcoming changes.
What to Do When Transitioning Careers
Whether you used career transition services or created your own plan, you will need to follow the steps but remain flexible about unexpected hurdles. Your specific job transition steps may differ from the ones below.
Resign From Your Current Job
If your present employment does not lead you to your desired career, it is time to say goodbye. Resign on good terms by giving your supervisor adequate notice (usually two weeks) in writing. Keep connections with your coworkers and superiors. You never know who may end up working with you again.
Return to School
You may need to pursue a new degree, certification, or licensing for your new path. Many institutes have programs for full-time and part-time students. You should have researched the time, money, and location to get your certification during your planning phase.
You may need to borrow funds for your education. Student loans can be ‘good debt’ because they increase your likelihood of being hired and making more money.
Network and Build Connects
Professional relationships with others in the industry are good ways to stay knowledgeable about what is happening, including upcoming job opportunities. Coworkers and schoolmates may be happy to refer you for a position.
You can find networking events in person and online. In some cases, you can set up interviews with seasoned professionals in the field for questions or advice.
Update Your CV or Resume
Your resume should reflect your new professional endeavors.
- Update your objective statement to match your career transition.
- Highlight the hard and soft skills you have that fit the new role.
- Add any qualifications as you gain them.
Your resume may be a blank page if you remove all of your unrelated former jobs. Rewrite bullet-point job tasks that show similarities or are relevant to the new position.
Apply for a Job in the New Field
One of the hardest parts of a job transition is taking an entry-level position if you have been in more senior roles. You may need to take an internship or do volunteer work to get yourself in the door. Remember that entry-level positions are temporary and a necessary stepping stone towards your professional future.
It would help if you also prepared an answer for when hiring managers ask about making a career transition. Your enthusiasm and interest could be a big selling point for recruiters.
Some of the best careers to transition into include:
- Social Media Director
- Financial Planner
- Human Resources Manager
- Software Developer
- Marketing Manager
- Operations Research Analyst
- Sales Manager
- Network Administrator
- Technical Writer
- Emergency Management Director
Be patient while Transitioning to a new job or career, especially if the new path is quite different from your former one. It can take a while to get to the level of career advancement you want, but it will be worth the effort when you reach your goal.
