Are you considering a career change? You’re not alone. One survey found that 58 percent of people are trying to change careers. And many more people may rethink their careers and embrace continuous learning as technology reshapes the future of work.
A career change is often complicated by uncertainty, however. Most of us don’t know much about the day-to-day work of other professions, so it can be nerve-wracking to jump into unknown territory. And if you’re in the middle of your career, you might be reluctant to abandon the path you’ve forged — especially if you have to start over at the entry-level.
How to Change Careers
- Understand your motivations.
- Assess your skills and experience.
- Research your prospective career.
- Network with people in the industry.
- Gain new skills and experiences.
- Create a schedule and stick to it.
- Refine your narrative.
- Maintain a positive mindset.
Perhaps the hardest part of changing careers is knowing where to start. Instead of fearing the unknown, you can gather information and build relationships that will help you turn your leap of faith into a well-calculated roadmap to a career that better meets your needs.
How to Change Careers: 8 Steps
1. Understand Your Motivations
If you’re thinking about changing careers, first figure out what you want in your next chapter.
Are you motivated by a potential for growth and a higher salary, or would you rather find a career with better work-life balance? Do you yearn to make a difference in the world, or do you seek the job stability of an in-demand career field? Would you feel more at home in a new startup, a large corporation or your own small business? Answering these questions is a good place to start.
As you consider what’s next for you, keep in mind that, if you’re fleeing a workplace environment you don’t like, you may encounter some of the same dynamics in your next opportunity. If you quit your corporate job to join a nonprofit organization, for instance, you might not escape your frustrations about bureaucracy, internal politics and the ability to create change.
At the end of the day, “you want to find the work that’s going to be interesting to you, rather than just the same script, different story, different place,” Jim Frawley, founder of executive coaching firm Bellwether, told Built In.
Self-awareness is crucial when embarking on a career change, so you may want to meditate, write in a journal or talk with friends, family members, a career coach or a therapist about what is important to you — and how that might manifest itself in the job market.
2. Assess Your Skills and Experience
Another facet of self-awareness is knowing what skills and experiences you possess and how those might help you in your new career. These skills and experiences might help you decide which careers might be an easier transition. If you already have a specific career in mind, consider how your existing skills and experiences might translate to another industry or profession.
If you’re switching to a similar role in a different industry, your transition may be easier. Frawley said many skills — like leadership, executive communication or project management — can easily translate across a wide variety of industries.
You should also consider what you excel at and what you enjoy — the skills you actually want to bring with you in your next career. Amy Pocsik, founder of executive coaching firm Bold Moves, suggests asking yourself: “What set your heart on fire? Where did you feel like you were in a natural flow, like time just went quickly?”
Here again, It may be helpful to talk to friends, family members or coaches who might be able to shed light on a skill that you might not realize you had. When trying to understand what value they offer, Frawley sometimes suggests his clients email several people in their life and ask them for feedback about their strengths.
3. Research Your Prospective Career
There are a number of career assessment tools online that can help you find your next career — or decide whether your chosen career is right for you. Once you’ve identified a career, you should learn more about it through online research, like reading industry articles, engaging in online communities and using tools like the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Online research can be helpful in finding out the basics of the career, what subspecialties exist within that career and the average salary in the field. That will only get you so far, though. As soon as you have a decent understanding of your desired career, start immersing yourself in the field to gain a better sense of the work. You won’t have all the answers right away, but any action is better than inaction.
4. Network With People in the Industry
Networking might seem uncomfortable, but it is one of the most important steps you can take to change careers. Your world of possibilities will start to open up as you expose yourself to new people with different ideas and experiences. “In-person social interaction will change your game completely,” Frawley said.
You can start networking by finding local professional associations or college alumni groups, or by asking people in your existing network if they know anyone in your desired field. You can also use LinkedIn to ask people in your desired field if they would be open to meeting for coffee (you’re buying).
During these one-on-one conversations, called informational interviews, people can tell you what their job consists of, what they like and dislike about their work and how they landed a job in the field. This information can help you make a more knowledgeable leap to a new industry and give you the confidence to know whether you are taking the right steps.
“Gaining that insight from people that are in those industries can help you understand if you’re ready to make that next move,” Shena Mistry, founder of executive coaching firm Own What’s Next, told Built In.
When you’re attending networking events and informational interviews, bring a sense of curiosity and show a genuine interest in the other person. Ask if there is anything you can do to add value for them.
Networking isn’t only about gaining information. It’s also about building deeper relationships over time that feel fulfilling for both parties. When a job opportunity does come along, this person may tip you off to the job or even broker an introduction to the hiring manager.
5. Gain New Skills and Work Experiences
Whatever field you switch into, you will likely need to acquire new skills, education and experience. If you don’t feel like investing in a few years of school, you could take online classes from Udemy or Coursera, complete a certificate program or join a three-month coding bootcamp.
Outside the classroom, you could gain new skills and show your commitment to your new career through building a portfolio, attending industry events and volunteering, which might lead to a part-time position, and eventually, a full-time position.
If you’re shifting to a completely different profession, you should be prepared to accept an entry-level role. Don’t be discouraged about starting on the ground level, though, as your other skills and experiences as a seasoned professional may make it easier for you to climb through the ranks.
“You can always start small and build from there,” Pocsik said. “But you have to get yourself immersed in the industry and in the work that you want to be doing.”
6. Set a Schedule and Goals for Accountability
Maintaining your existing job amid a career change provides financial stability, but it also requires extraordinary discipline. A weekly schedule and a long-term timeframe will keep you accountable to your goals.
If you don’t have a job, you might want to treat your job search like your full-time job. It may feel uncomfortable to take nights and weekends off when you’re unemployed, but that time away can help you rejuvenate and create the space needed for self-reflection.
“It’s important to be able to pause and take breaks and not feel guilty for that,” Mistry said. “Especially if you’ve been in a career where there’s a sort of grind culture, it can be difficult to take a pause and be able to think clearly, because you’re switched on all the time.”
7. Refine Your Career Narrative
When applying for jobs, you need to explain how the skills from your former career align with the work of your desired career, as well as any additional training or education you’ve undertaken to reinforce those skills. The way you position yourself is crucial to convincing recruiters and hiring managers that you have what it takes to make the leap to a new career.
If you land an interview, you need to not only tout your capabilities and accomplishments — you need to tell a story. Explain how your previous career experience will bring a unique perspective to the role, or explain what attracted you to this new field. Stories like this could help you stand out from other applicants.
8. Keep a Positive Mindset
Making a career change can be a long, arduous journey, and there will be ups and downs. It’s important to pace yourself, set realistic goals and recognize small wins along the way.
Your career has likely become part of your identity, and trying to find a new career may cause you to question yourself. That’s why it can be helpful to have friends, family members and coaches in your corner to offer support and perspective along the way.
Some risk-averse people may not support your change. Listen to their reservations but don’t let them get in your head if you have done the research and developed a solid gameplan. Many entrepreneurs encounter naysayers in their journey, and they find energy and support from other entrepreneurs.
“Get around people who are lit up about what they’re doing,” Pocsik said. “That’s going to fuel you to find the thing that you’re excited about doing.”
Don’t worry too much about finding the perfect career right away, either. Most people think about their careers in five-year or 10-year increments, Frawley said, but if you consider that careers typically last about 50 years, you might be more adventurous and experimental.
“You’re going to gain something from whatever path you choose,” Frawley said. “It's just part of the journey — and there is a long journey ahead.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decide what career to switch to?
Online career assessments can help you find a career that aligns with your personality, skills and interests. You can also talk to friends, family members, career coaches and therapists to determine which careers best meet your needs.
Can I change my career at 30?
Yes. When you’re 30, you may only have six to eight years of professional experience, which is a small fraction of the 40 or 50 years you will likely spend in the workforce. By making a career change at 30, you are being responsible in planning for your future.
What jobs are easy to transition into?
Finding a job that is easy to transition to depends on your existing skills and experiences. Career coaches, career assessments and other online tools can help you find a new career that utilizes your existing skill sets. If you lack professional experience, you might get your start in customer service or sales.
