How to Change Career: An Action Plan

Career changes can take various forms: you might switch roles, functions, or departments within the same company, transition to a new market sector, or even do all these things at once. What’s important, however, is the awareness that every kind of career transformation is possible, regardless of the type of change you wish to pursue.

Change, after all, is part of both personal and professional growth and often occurs, even in small ways. Whether it’s getting a new job, a promotion, or even moving offices, these are all examples of changes we frequently encounter in our careers. And if you’ve made a change once, you can be confident that you can do it again.

But how? Let’s break it down step by step.

Sometimes the desire to change arises even before you fully understand what you want to change. Through honest self-reflection, you can determine which changes are right for you. Analyzing and understanding your current situation helps you identify what you enjoy about your current job and what aspects you feel ready to leave behind. This kind of evaluation is crucial for painting a clearer picture of the best path forward for your career.

Asking yourself specific questions can help clarify your intentions:

a) How satisfied am I with my current job? For example, you might enjoy your daily tasks but lack opportunities for career advancement.

b) What are my values, and how aligned is my current job with them? For instance, you may feel that your creativity is underutilized in your current role.

c) What is driving me to change careers? Motivations can range from seeking new challenges to finding a more flexible job that allows for a better work-life balance.

d) What concerns do I have? For example, you might need specific training for a new career or face sacrifices such as a temporary salary reduction.

A thorough assessment of your skills is essential when considering a career change. To facilitate this transition, focus on your transferable skills, which are abilities you can carry from one job to another, regardless of the industry or role. These can include technical skills, such as programming or accounting, or soft skills, like adaptability and empathy.

Leveraging transferable skills is particularly valuable when changing careers because they allow you to make an immediate and positive impact in almost any field. Employers highly value these skills.

One way to identify your transferable skills is by conducting in-depth research on the roles that interest you. Take the time to read job descriptions, paying close attention to the skills and experience required. Additionally, speaking with professionals in that industry can help you understand the most sought-after talents. Then, analyze your own abilities to identify the ones that are most relevant.

For example, a marketing professional transitioning to career consulting could highlight interpersonal skills like empathy and active listening as highly valuable transferable skills.

A career change doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch. Knowing which personal skills you can rely on will give you a strong head start in pursuing a new profession.

Keeping your resume updated is another key step when deciding to switch careers. The good news is that the more often you update your resume, the easier it becomes each time. If it has been a while since you last worked on it, start by searching online for resume examples in the field you’re interested in. Then, ensure your contact information, such as your email address and any website links, is up to date.

As you update your resume, remove outdated information and replace it with new skills and achievements. Avoid generic terms like “excellent problem-solving skills” and instead provide concrete examples.

A great tip is to show your resume to friends and acquaintances, especially those with experience in recruitment. It’s often easier to spot errors in someone else’s resume than in your own, including grammar and spelling mistakes.

Beyond landing a job, updating your resume offers additional benefits: it helps you identify gaps in your professional experience, prompting you to pursue training; it allows you to add new details based on your accomplishments; and, most importantly, it ensures you always have a professional business card ready to showcase your profile.

Seeking training when considering a career change is a decision that pays off.

On one hand, personal development training allows you to discover and enhance your talents while defining your new career project.

On the other hand, professional training helps bridge knowledge gaps. Regardless of your experience and skills, every workplace has a unique set of procedures, technologies, and expectations. Training provides the knowledge and tools needed to navigate these complexities effectively, bridging the gap between what you know and what you need to excel in your new role.

Starting a new job can also feel overwhelming, with new responsibilities and processes to grasp. Participating in a company’s internal training programs can accelerate your learning curve, enabling you to contribute to the organization’s goals quickly. Familiarizing yourself early with tools, systems, and best practices minimizes mistakes and maximizes efficiency.

An essential aspect of career change is recognizing that you don’t have to do it all on your own. Working with a professional coach can be a game-changer. A coach can help you maximize the effectiveness of your journey, uncover or rediscover your talents, and reduce the anxiety and stress often associated with career transitions.

By following these steps with determination and clarity, you can successfully navigate a career change and open the door to new professional opportunities.