How to make a career change: the ultimate guide
Thinking of shaking things up with a career change? If you're on the verge of switching careers, this guide will help you navigate the transition smoothly.
If you're feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current career and believe life’s too short to settle, this guide will help you find your way forward in a new career.
The first step to success? Understanding your ‘why’.
What are your motivations?
It may seem trite but understanding your motivations for changing careers is an often overlooked step in the process, says career coach Leah Lambart, who founded Relaunch Me after her own career switch. Not only will clarifying your ‘why’ help you stay on-track when things get bumpy, it can help narrow down your ideal career path, says Leah.
“Common motivations for career change include seeking better work-life balance, more meaningful work, or escaping compassion fatigue from service roles like teaching or nursing. Others may simply feel their current career isn't the right fit for their strengths,” she says.
So, what are your motivations for a change in careers?
How to change careers
While changing careers is a significant life choice, taking action doesn’t need to be complicated or overwhelming. If you’ve decided it’s time for a change, Leah shares her top three tips for getting started:
Do a self-assessment
Self-assessment is crucial to identifying potential career options, says Leah. “The first step is to really understand yourself, your strengths, interests, values, and what energises you,” she says.
Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan, who ran a successful travel PR agency, switched to teaching after COVID halted travel, and she felt she'd hit a plateau in her career. “I felt like I’d done so much in PR, I didn’t have anything to learn—I’d gotten a bit stale,” she says.
Teaching reenergised her while also playing to her strengths and interests. “With all my experience in PR, I understand people, and so I understand what students are going through and feel like I can really help them.”
Do your research
Research is a valuable piece of the puzzle, says Leah. This can involve:
- Researching different careers using resources like job websites or career information portals
- Interviewing people who work in a field you’re considering
- Experimenting with short courses, job shadowing, or attending industry events
Research was key for Nick Fiennes, who transitioned from policing to photography. He explored his interests online, attended workshops, and connected with experienced professionals.
“I realised it wasn’t just the photography I needed to know, I also needed to know how to run a business,” he explains.
“There were certainly very talented and experienced people in the industry I knew and I could reach out to, and they were always happy to share information.”
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Think of this as getting a taster for your new career. Take an online course, single subject, or investigate a short-term project in your area of interest.
“This allows the individual to validate their interest and fit before committing to a major career change,” Leah says.
Do I need further education to change careers?
Short courses and qualifications
An additional qualification, like a short course, graduate certificate (which takes six months), graduate diploma (which takes one year), or masters degree (which takes two years), can help you transition into a new field or advance in a related one.
Fast-tracking your study options
You might be able to expedite your studies by taking additional subjects or seeking recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your work experience.
When Nicole decided to change careers, she knew she had to undertake further study, but she discovered she could fast-track her studies with a condensed masters degree in teaching.
“I was able to graduate in just one year,” she says.
Is it hard to change careers?
Changing careers takes courage, and some steps will demand more than others. But as the saying goes, nothing worth doing is easy.
Leah explains the difficulties and challenges that come with changing careers can be different for everybody. However, they can be categorised by four overarching themes:
- Fear of the unknown
- What will others think?
- Financial concerns
- Stress and uncertainty
Nick explains the uncertainty that accompanied letting go of a reliable job in favour of something new, particularly in a creative field, was one of the biggest challenges for him. “But there was a sense of relief too, and excitement about doing something new,” he says.
“While career changes can be difficult, they are possible with the right mindset and approach to managing the transition,” Leah says.
Can you be ‘too old’ to change careers?
This is a common misnomer. Did you know Vera Wang started her career in fashion in her 40s? Or that Harland Sanders (better known as Colonel Sanders) opened his first KFC franchise in his 60s?
The truth is, there’s no ‘right age’ or ‘right time’ when it comes to designing the life you want to live. And the days of sticking it out in one career for your entire life are gone. In fact, research shows the average person will enjoy three or more careers in a lifetime.
Choosing the ‘right fit’
False starts are a normal part of career transitions, and discovering the right fit often involves a process of trial and error.
Unsure where to start? Take our course-matching quiz to figure out where your goals and interests could take you.
