3 Tips for changing career path

There comes a time when everybody feels the need to reassess their life, career and goals. That can sometimes result in dramatic changes, but taking a new career path often seems difficult or even impossible.

Return to higher education

There are lots of benefits associated with higher education. People with degrees are more employable, tend to earn a higher wage and are better placed for promotion. If you began studying at a college or other higher education institute in the past but had to curtail your studies, returning to it can be a great way to help you change career. Colleges now give you the option to finish bachelor’s degree studies, earning a qualification and expertise in the process.

Not only does this mean that your past hard work doesn’t go to waste, but it ensures that you come away with a specialization. Better still, most bachelor degree completion courses are heavily career-focused. Along with your studies, you’ll receive a range of careers advice, coaching and assistance – perfect if you’re about to embark upon a new career path. Returning to higher education doesn’t need to be a strain (online degrees are more popular than ever) and can be truly rewarding.

Undertake a rebrand

If you’ve been working in one sector for a long time, the chances are that everything; your CV, resume and cover letters, has been tailored towards that career. It’s only natural, but it won’t serve you well when you seek employment elsewhere. Take some time to rebrand yourself and understand how the skills you learned in your current job might translate to a different career, potentially even in a different sector.

The same applies to business sites like LinkedIn, which are likely to be heavily tilted towards your current job. Websites, business cards – it all needs updating and amending. Make a list of transferable skills that will be useful elsewhere and a secondary list that was career specific. It might be possible to dispense with the second list altogether, but you’ll need to tailor the first to suit your new career path.

Analyze why you want to change your career

It might sound obvious, but before you choose a new career, it’s vitally important to assess exactly why you want to leave your current one. This could even be due to a combination of factors, including pay, hours and job satisfaction, but there’s no point changing if you’re going to run into the same problems again elsewhere. Be honest about why this feels like the right time for a change and then determine whether the new career will solve those problems.

It helps if you know or can at least speak to other people in your new career before you make the change. This will give you a feel for whether the new job makes up for the shortfalls of the last and whether you’ll actually find the satisfaction that you crave. While it can be tempting to rush ahead, careful consideration early makes for a happier experience later.