Planning a Career Change…Step by Step

When the grass starts to look greener on the other side and you begin to dream of what might have been, it’s a sure sign that you’re thinking of a career change. And why not? Research shows that people now change their careers, on average, a number of times during their working lives. Once you’ve decided on your new destination, you need to decide on the right path to get you there. It’s important to take this whole journey step by step. Careful planning is crucial to a successful career change. Here, John McGallan suggests a useful checklist to follow.

“First things first, it’s important to discover what it is that drives you and decide whether your passion is strong enough to help you build a new career. Does it, for example, require full time study and if so how will this affect your financial situation. Perhaps you can make a start on a part-time basis. Take time to think around all the angles and find a way forward that suits you.

“Maybe you already have most of the skills you need but would benefit from some hands on experience in your spare time. Volunteering or working at weekends or in the evenings could help you see just what the job entails.

“You may well find that the skills and knowledge you already have, along with the experience you have gained over the years, can be very usefully transferred into a new career. Just think of all the people you know who are now doing something quite different to the job they did some years ago!

“Bear in mind that some of the larger organisations are able to accommodate employees wishing to change direction by transferring them to different departments. That could be the answer for you and also good for the company which won’t then be losing your valuable experience of their way of working.

“On the other hand, you might want to go solo and set up your own business. If so, seek advice about how to go about this and information about financial assistance from business support organisations.

“Networking is an important part of the career change journey. Talk to people you know who can advise you on different aspects of your career choice or who can introduce you to someone who can. Get an inside view by joining a relevant professional organisation or subscribing to its publications.

“When you’re ready to start job hunting, set out with a well-written CV. If you feel out of touch with how best to present this, and also on the latest interview techniques, then take advice.

“And finally, when you arrive at your chosen destination, consider the benefits of finding a mentor who can help you get to grips with your exciting new world.”