4 Tips to a Successful Career Change

The current economic climate is creating what’s proving to be a confusing market for job seekers. Acacium Group has a wealth of specialist recruitment knowledge in house and our People team want to use their expertise to help jobseekers overcome common challenges.

Thinking about making a switch? This week, Talent Attraction Team Manager, Imogen Jordan , explores career change best practice.

Do you find that the dreaded Sunday evening feeling appears every week? Do you feel stuck in your current career? Then it might be time to make a change.

A career change can seem like a huge undertaking, but making the move can benefit your career progression, wellbeing, and overall motivation to achieve your goals. ?22% of the UK workforce feel their current career is no longer right for them (according to TotalJobs), so we have put together some tips on making a career transition a success.

Explore your options?

Many careers are available to you, so the first thing to do is narrow down your options. Begin by reflecting on your current skills gained from your work experience or personal pursuits to help steer your search to careers where you can easily transition.

However, it’s not all about your strengths; consider what you want from your next opportunity and compile your non-negotiables. These are the things you?MUST?have in your next position, whether it's being able to coach others, work with new technology, work in a team environment, or the ability to work flexibly. Again, this will help you develop a clearer picture of what you want from your next role.

When you have factored in your interests and skills, start looking through job boards, career sites, and company pages, using them as a menu to explore all the available vacancies in the market and decide what is right for you.

Look to expand your skills and experience?

When you’re changing careers, you might feel like you need to start again if you lack the necessary experience for your chosen pursuit. However, there are ways to gain experience without jumping into a new role. Firstly, you can look to volunteer, ask to do work experience or even shadow someone you admire to gain an insight into what that career might entitle and gain that much-needed experience.

But experience isn’t everything; employers are looking for transferable skills. Continuous improvement is the key to a successful career, so try researching relevant courses, attending workshops or masterclasses, or even simply partaking in webinars to develop your skill set. If you fancy the DIY approach, TED Talks, YouTube tutorials, or articles are good ways to expand your knowledge and help you find your passion.

Use your network?

You don’t have to make this change alone; leverage your network when planning a career change. Start by reaching out to past colleagues, friends, family, or LinkedIn connections who work in your desired industry. They could help be a mentor and guide you through the process.

If you don’t know anyone that can support you, you could attend industry-relevant networking events to meet new people and take advantage of others' expertise. Joining professional groups can give you a forum to ask questions; people are more willing to help you succeed than you might think.

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Make a plan

Now that you have decided what you want, it’s time to sit down and plan action. It’s essential to be realistic with your goals and timeline; you can’t expect to switch careers overnight. According to Dr Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goal if you write it down, so set a timeline that includes reaching out to your connections, developing your skill set, and gaining experience will make it much more achievable.

Having a plan will also help you feel less overwhelmed, as you can take on each task in small steps, ticking off your accomplishments along the way. Top tip – share your plan with a friend or family member; having someone who can hold you to account will keep you on track.

Planning a career change can be daunting, but don’t let that stop you from exploring and pursuing your passions.?If you want to make a change, check out the Acacium Group careers page. As the leading global healthcare delivery partner, we have a range of exciting roles across the globe. If you have any questions or want to learn more about a role, contact our team at [email protected]