Changing career

2020 was a tough year, there’s no doubt about that.

The extra time at home, however, has allowed us all to reflect and gain some perspective. We’ve scrutinised our lives like never before — our exercise routine, our eating habits (and our drinking habits!) and even our levels of happiness and satisfaction with life.  After all that, thanks to the break from the norm, perhaps you’ve realised that it’s time for a change of career.     

In 2021, a career change could feel like a daunting prospect but with the right research and preparation, it doesn’t have to be.  And if it feels like too big a leap right now, then you can begin to take some small steps so that when life returns to ‘normal’, you’re ready to start taking action in earnest.

Should I change career?

Let’s start at the beginning and consider what you should be thinking about before you decide to change your job; let’s face it, it’s a big decision and you don’t want to get it wrong.  One ‘bad’ day shouldn’t mean that you’re picking up the phone to a recruitment agency, but you should take heed of a consistent feeling of dread about the working week ahead of you.

Sarah Thorne of The Return Hub says, ‘Be rigorous in thinking through what is motivating your desire for a career change, or you risk finding a new role with the same issues you have faced before.  Reasons for seeking an alternative career vary and could be anything from seeking more remuneration to the complex: you feel unhappy and demotivated in your current position but cannot pinpoint the reasons why.  Honestly think through your working life to see which aspects are most important to you and what you would like to change.’

You might know straight away why you want to change your career, but it may also take time.  Perhaps you know that this career path isn’t for you but you’re not sure how you do want to spend your working hours.  Don’t worry — here are some career change tips.  

Identifying a new career path

This may sound exciting to some but to others, it may be overwhelming especially if you’re in a position to retrain completely — the world’s your oyster, right?! Well, maybe but let’s stop and think first. 

Unlike previous generations where obligation might have been a factor in a career choice, we are privileged to be able to spend more time thinking about what we want to do rather than what we have to do. We should really indulge in this luxurious position and although, yes of course there are bills to pay, if we work hard enough at our research, we might be able to find a position that is a happy compromise of our strengths and career ‘wants’ with salary.

But what are my strengths and career wants? Well, this is where you have to put a little work in. Jot down what you’re good at and what an ideal role would look and feel like. Dig out old appraisals and (if they’ve been well done and provide a balanced view) review your strengths.  Yes, your eyes may wander to the areas of improvement on the same appraisals and this is no bad thing.  If you really, whole-heartedly agree with those things you could do better, then that’s valuable intelligence in the search for a new career.  As Emma Jefferys, Tunbridge Wells’ very own Action Woman, says, ‘If you know that teamwork is important to you then you may not want to go solo. Equally, if you no longer wish to work in an office environment then this gives you some clues as to avenues to pursue. Be honest with yourself and the search will narrow.’

Successful Mums suggests that you think about what GCSEs you would take today if you had the opportunity. If they’re different from the exams that you did take, why is that?  What’s changed and what work sector now appeals to you?  Also think about whether there’s someone in your personal life, professional network or someone from the media that always makes you say, ‘I’d love to do what they do.’  What is it that they actually do, and could you realistically do it? 

This brings us to an excellent point from Emma who reminds us to remove the rose-tinted glasses: ‘I always thought I wanted to become a florist until someone pointed out the very early starts at flower markets, long hours and often cold conditions! Not the glamorous flower-arranging picture I’d painted in my head. Get a really vivid idea of what the day-to-day reality of a role is (chatting to people, shadowing, following people on social media) so that you can see if it plays to your strengths and wants.’

 Once you’ve thought all this through, hopefully, you’ll have moved from the world being your oyster to a pearl of a career-next-step idea.

 A job search in a new industry

Looking for a job in a new career sector might be difficult but Natasha Stanley from Careershifters, the career change specialists, suggests a different approach:

Look for people, not for jobs.  If you want to make a big shift, you're likely to be at an immediate disadvantage in the job market. Your CV won't stack up well against others with experience in the field you’re interested in; recruitment consultants are likely to want to place you in similar roles, and job sites are likely to leave you wondering how you're ever going to be qualified for what’s advertised. Instead of looking for jobs, look for people. Not only is there a huge hidden job market (an estimated 80% of jobs are never advertised) but connecting with people allows you to present yourself in a way that you could never do on paper.

This is where your professional and personal network comes in handy as well as hunting out new connections.  As long as it’s ‘safe’ with regard to the security of your current role, talk to people about the career change you’re looking to make.  You might be amazed at the connections that your friends and contacts have unbeknownst to you, and the doors that could be opened as a result.   

You should surround yourself with people who can help you pursue your career, adds Natasha so that you don’t feel as though you’re going it alone.  Some of those people may be old friends or ex-colleagues but you might also find it supportive to have a mentor from the new industry in your new career ‘team’ and people who work in the industry already.  These people might strengthen your resolve against those who tell you that you’re making a mistake. 

At Office Tribe, we’re here to help you every step of the way whether that’s providing you with somewhere to spend the day career researching without distraction or a place away from home or office to carry out interviews online.  Once you’ve secured a new role, perhaps we could provide your new office base in Tunbridge Wells?

If 2020 was the year of reflection and gaining perspective, then make 2021 the year of action.  Hopefully, we’ve given you an injection of motivation to find the role and the career that you deserve.

 If you would like to reserve an office space then phone us now on 07780 598 808, or drop us an email hattie@officetribe.co.uk

The Return Hub is launching the career academy in January 2021 which is packed full of tips and tools to help you with a career change. Six months’ free membership is on offer so do get in touch with them!

Careershifters helps bright, motivated people who feel stuck in the wrong career find and move into more fulfilling work. We do this through workshops, courses, free resources and a 170,000+ strong community. To date, we’ve worked directly with 11,000+ clients across 70+ countries.