Robert Pirosh was a well-to-do copywriter in a New York-based advertising agency when he decided to reinvent his career and become a screenwriter.
The year was 1934. Pirosh left his job, went to Hollywood and eventually landed a role as a junior writer at MGM. Fifteen years later, he’d won an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
That was 90 years ago, a time when changing careers was rare. Cut to today, and around 52 percent of the world’s employees are eyeing a new job. So, if you’re one of them and are looking for some tips to change your career, you’re not alone.
This guide will arm you with practical strategies to assess, find and transition into a fulfilling, sustainable new profession.
Part 1: Why Reinvent Your Career?
Before switching careers, start by asking yourself one key question: Why?
There are many reasons to reinvent your career, including:
- Money: You want higher pay.
- Flexibility: You want to work in a remote or hybrid setup.
- Dissatisfaction: You’re not happy with your current job.
- Balance: You want to work without compromising on other aspects of your life.
- Fulfillment: You want to do something more meaningful.
Whatever your reasons, the good news is that some of the most successful people in history have taken a similar path and emerged stronger and more successful.
For example, there would be no Amazon had a 30-year-old Jeff Bezos not quit his ultra-lucrative job at a hedge fund to sell books online. Movies like The Terminator would have looked very different had Arnold Schwarzenegger remained a professional bodybuilder. Ronald Reagan would have just been an actor and not the 40th president of the United States had he not switched to politics in his later years.
Your career transition may not be as dramatic as these examples, but it can still be a major pivot point. So once you have identified your “why,” you’ll need to prepare for the challenge ahead.
Part 2: Preparing For A Career Transition
No matter the outcome, the transition phase—from the day you decide to change your career to the day you finally land your new job—is always tough. That’s why it’s important to prepare.
First, make sure you’re not doing this for the wrong reasons. If you struggle with essential workplace qualities like managing time, maintaining self-confidence, staying organized and setting boundaries, changing careers may not help at all. Self-awareness is crucial, as fundamental problems like these will likely reappear wherever you go.
Here are a few tips to get clarity on your needs and interests:
- List the things you want that are missing in your current job.
- Jot down the goals and aspirations you want your career to facilitate.
- Identify your non-negotiable needs and deal-breakers.
A career transition will require you to reinvent yourself personally and professionally. As you face the challenges of a new role, stay resilient, patient and laser-focused on growth.
Part 3: Steps For Transitioning To A New Career
Figuring out your new role is the most important part of a career change. Here are three steps to help you find the right path:
Step 1: Audit Your Skills And Interests
List the skills you excel at in your current job. Identify transferable skills that will be valuable in your target role. At the same time, reflect on your interests—both current and those you’d like to explore—and consider how they align with the job requirements.
You can take personality assessment tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the DISC test to highlight personal and professional growth opportunities. Skill-assessment tools like Skills Matcher and Zippia’s Career Map can help you shortlist careers that match your interests and expertise.
Step 2: Research Your Target Careers
Once you have some roles or industries in mind, learn as much as possible about your options and eliminate those that don’t align with your skills, interests and values. Platforms like O*NET, CareerOneStop and My Next Move have centralized career information to streamline your research.
Step 3: Build A Roadmap
A career change should meet your immediate goals—like a new role or higher pay—and your long-term needs beyond money or status.
For example, if you’re a teacher with a vision for improving educational approaches while also seeking higher pay, you might transition to a better-paying role at an EdTech firm. This would allow you to leverage your teaching experience to develop innovative learning solutions and expand your impact beyond the classroom—all while increasing your earnings.
The bottom line? Plan your transition so that it aligns with both your current goals and your long-term aspirations.
Part 4: Career Change Tips
Landing a new job can be challenging, especially when transitioning to an unfamiliar industry or role. And since many of your competitors will have more experience in your target industry, job applications and resumes alone won’t cut it.
Here are some career change tips that can help you stand out:
Rebrand Yourself
Update your resume, portfolio and LinkedIn profile to align with your target role. This ensures that your professional identity reflects your career goals. Remember that while experiences aren’t always transferable, your skills are. So, center your resume around your skills rather than your previous work experience.
For example, if you’re a journalist switching to UX writing, your past experience may not directly apply to your new role. Yet you can make your transferable skills—writing, communication and research—the backbone of your resume. Make sure to focus on achievements that illustrate these skills.
Connect With The Right People
Besides applying to jobs and sending cold emails, connect with professionals working in your dream industry. They can personally advise you better than books and career guides. Most importantly, they can boost your career by helping you get a job in their company or industry.
Upskill And Gain Exposure
A career change often demands upskilling. Start with free or low-cost online resources like YouTube, Coursera, edX and Udemy to build new skills. If these aren’t enough, you might need paid courses, certifications, formal training or education.
Part 5: Career Transition Strategies
No matter how well you plan, a career change can cause financial instability, stress and a lingering fear of failure. Here are some actionable tips to overcome these challenges, keep your feelings in check and build confidence during a career transition:
Practice Mindfulness
Try mindfulness practices such as journaling and meditation to reflect on your feelings and motivations around your transition. This awareness will help you stay grounded and avoid getting overwhelmed by your fears and “what-ifs.”
Connect With Peers
Try to find others who are on the same path as you. Connect with colleagues planning a career change or like-minded professionals online. Join LinkedIn groups, Reddit forums or Slack communities.
You can discuss your plans, doubts and fears with these peers, which will help manage stress while keeping you accountable on your journey. Plus, you’ll likely learn something from every interaction.
Don’t Just Explore, Experience
The best way to understand a new field is to experience it firsthand. You don’t have to go all in, but you can try internships or part-time gigs. If possible, shadow someone in your target role. This hands-on experience without a full-time commitment will help you prepare for the role—and decide if it’s the right fit.
Ready To Change Your Career?
Before applying these tips and strategies, remember this: Career transitions take time.
You might have to wait several months or more before landing a new role in a new industry. But rest assured that done right, a career change can unlock new opportunities and catalyze personal fulfillment.
Be patient as you apply these strategies and work towards success in your new role. Each step will bring you closer to a rewarding career—and the life you envision.
Photo by matsiukpavel/shutterstock.com
