So you want to change careers? Are you sure? Ok, there are a few pitfalls and this isn’t going to be as easy as you’ve imagined. I’ll walk you through some considerations and the best way to attack it so you land the new job of your dreams.

You’re at this junction because you can’t get excited about what you currently do. There’s no zing in your step, you roll out of bed and hit the floor with a groan. I get it, we’ve all been there. The other reason is that you’ve seen the writing on the wall. Your job is a dying breed. The robots are knocking on the door saying “let me in, I can help”. You reach for your phone to dial Sarah Connor. Whatever the reason is, I salute you for making this realisation that things need to change.

What are the considerations that you need to be aware of before heading down this path?

• You might not get the level of remuneration you’re getting now. After all, you’re going to become the newbie again. Yes sure, you have “transferrable skills”. Just expect to take a pay cut, for now.
• It’s going to be tough. Your CV showcases your current skills and experience which are no doubt aligned to the career that you’re trying desperately to leave behind. Now, trying to convince a recruiter or hiring manager that “you’ve got this” is a big challenge!
• What is your future? Any career change is a big step for any mortal. Where will this lead you? How do you know that it will put the zing back in your zag? Make sure you’ve done your homework and you’re passionate about the next step in your career.
• Do you have to study again? If you’re in customer service and you want to become a Software Developer, you’re going to need to learn some new skills. What’s the cost, the ROI, how much time will it take to learn?

You’ve worked your way through the above considerations and you’ve ploughed ahead. Good for you! High fives all round. You my friend have courage! What next?

• First and foremost you should speak with your friends and professional network. Having someone on the inside sing your praises to their company, ups your chances of getting in to a new role/career.
• You should also see if your current employer is open to you being “redeployed” within the organisation.
• Aim at the right level. Senior in the past doesn’t make you a Senior in this new career. Unless of course you have some seriously good transferrable skills. Be open to starting at the bottom.
• If you’re looking at getting in to a creative role, have a portfolio. Even if it’s your own collection of private projects. Have something in there that will wow the hiring manager.
• Speak with the HR or Recruiter associated with any role before you apply. Tell them the reason why you’re the right fit for this role. The reason this call is important is your CV might not get your foot in the door. Whilst we try and review with an open mind we’re still often looking for those magical keywords.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, changing careers is hard. You’re going to need some luck to go your way, but ultimately you’re going to have to work incredibly hard. But hey, that last past should be easy. If you’re passionate about what you do, then this should be a doddle.

I wish you all the best and hope that we can help with the next stage of your journey.