Career choices don’t have to be permanent. Changing circumstances, goals and interests, or an unplanned change in career status can lead many of us to explore new industries and roles. And although it can be a daunting experience, statistics show that during the year ending February 2022, 1.3 million people (or 9.5 per cent of employed people) changed jobs. That’s the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012.

Here are our top tips if you are considering career transitioning, including gaining clarity on what you want and taking action to achieve it.

What drives career change

There is a range of reasons people decide to change careers. They include because you:

• Want a better quality of life — mentally, physically and/or emotionally.
• Want to reduce stress.
• Want to increase your self-esteem.
• Want a more meaningful job that aligns with your values, passions and life goals.
• Have become apathetic to change.
• Are jealous of your friends’ jobs.
• Want a better work-life balance, including working remotely or having a more flexible work schedule.
• Lack energy or are bored or frustrated with your current job.
• Have been made redundant or experienced a reduction in work hours.
• Need to earn more income. Some inspiration … according to a recent article by the Australian Financial Review, skilled workers in demand who change jobs could be rewarded with a pay rise of up to 20 per cent. This is partly due to forecasts for record-low unemployment, falling inflation, and the decades-long downward trend in job movement being reversed thanks to Australia’s historically tight labour market.

Before you transition careers 

Before considering career transitioning, it’s vital you make a plan, set goals, develop a timeline, and take some steps to prepare yourself. They can include:

Self-assessment

This is a great place to start. Significant challenges can result from changing careers, so you should be clear about what you want in the future. Some questions to yourself: What do I want from a career? What is my “dream job”? What sacrifices am I prepared to make to achieve it? What financial commitments need to be covered? What are my strengths and weaknesses?

Identifying your skills

These include technical or “hard” skills that help you perform a specific task and can include qualifications, education, training, certifications and role or industry-specific knowledge you have gained over your career. They also include “soft” skills, which, according to Indeed, aren’t about the knowledge you possess, but rather the behaviours you display in certain situations.

According to LinkedIn, the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022 are adaptability, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, time management, initiative, teamwork, leadership, proactivity, networking, life-long learning, negotiation, self-care, emotional intelligence, confidence and resilience.

Experimentation

According to a quote by Herminia Ibarra in her book, Working Identity, “By far the biggest mistake people make when trying to change careers is to delay taking the first step until they have settled on a destination”. It sums up her view that career transitioning is not necessarily just a product of careful planning but comes from experimenting — including in your current role.

According to a LinkedIn article, career experimentation is a risk-free way to try out new “identities”, roles or responsibilities while still connected to the security of your current identity and career. It could be

taking on an additional role, a temporary project, finding a coach or mentor, or seeking new types of training or educational opportunities.

Networking

Building and leveraging networks to support your career change progress can be enormously beneficial. Connecting with industry professionals — in-person at industry events or via associations, or online through sites such as LinkedIn — can give you guidance and advice about your new career path. They may also introduce you to valuable contacts or recommend job openings that might suit you.

During your career transition

Career transitioning requires commitment and a variety of action plan steps, including:

Leaving your current job

It can be tempting to quit in a dramatic fashion if you are unfulfilled or unhappy at work, but it’s always wise to be professional. After all, you may need a reference for your new career! When the time comes, request a meeting with your boss and let them know your intentions. Give them a formal resignation letter and adequate notice. Finish any existing projects, and document your workflows and job duties for a smooth transition. It’s not only the “right” thing to do; it ensures you maintain your professionalism and leave on good terms.

Undertaking more study

Career changes often mean additional study, particularly if you are looking to enhance your career prospects. This can include learning new skills or obtaining a certification, license or other educational qualifications. Volunteering or obtaining an internship is also a great way of gaining experience in a field that perhaps you’ve not worked in before, before taking the plunge!

Updating your resume

Make your resume as concise, accurate, relevant, and readable as possible, as it is generally the first impression a potential employer or recruiter has of you and your achievements! Here are our top tips for How to Write a Good Resume.

Answering questions

Finally, consider how to position your career change to others including recruiters and potential employers. Don’t wait until you are in an interview to consider how to explain the reason for your career transitioning. Because you will be asked this weighted question, it’s best to be prepared.

Prepare a positive, strong, confident, and future-oriented response. And never lose sight of the fact that you are a multi-faceted person capable of accomplishing many things, and your skills and experience apply to more than one job and possibly more than one career. The more clearly you can articulate your value and connect the dots between your past experience and new opportunities, the more possibilities that will be available to you!