What to know about making a career change now
Change to our working lives, routines, and the world around us can be hard – and it has been for many of us during COVID-19. But this kind of upheaval can also do something else: it can make us stop and reassess the way we’re living our lives and what we really want – including in our work.
If you’re considering changes to your job or work right now, you’re not alone. Forty-six percent of Australians are looking to make a career change in the next two years, research conducted on behalf of SEEK has found.
So, how can you approach a career change now? We asked career and interview coach Leah Lambart for her advice on how to make a successful transition.
Why the change?
Making a career change isn’t uncommon – 1 in 2 people make a shift at some point in their professional lives – but the motivation behind the change, and the timing varies. Most people surveyed by SEEK in May (29%) said they plan on making a change in the next few years.
The majority of people are motivated by a need for change, followed closely by wanting new challenges. Earning money is a top driver for those earlier on their careers (25- to 34-year-olds), and striking a work-life balance is a priority for people who have been working for longer.
The COVID-19 impact
In the current climate, many people have been forced to consider a career change because they’ve lost their jobs or simply see no future in their industry. Because of this, 16% of people plan on making a move in the next 1 to 3 months. Lambart says this upheaval can be advantageous. “Changing career is an acceptable option in this climate and less likely to be questioned by employers.”
Career change hurdles (and how to overcome them)
The top two barriers people say are preventing them from making a career change are:
- Fear of the unknown
- Existing financial commitments
Lambart is a big fan of surrounding yourself with “cheerleaders” to help you take the leap of faith: people who will have your back and encourage you to keep pursuing the change you’re making.
“It won't be all smooth sailing but if you have done the research and feel confident that your new career is the right fit, then this will give you the drive to keep going,” she says.
She recommends that you organise brief informational interviews or look for opportunities to volunteer or job shadow when the restrictions have eased. Read more about what an informational interview is and why you should do one here.
If finances are your concern, try looking at these tips to stretch, boost and crush your finances for a career change.
I’ve made the decision, so how do I take the leap?
According to Lambart, “career change is a process, not an event, and depending on how big the change is, it could take anything from weeks to years to fulfil.”
Almost half of people who make a career change start with online research, which is exactly what Lambart recommends. As part of this process, she says you need to ask yourself:
- Will the work fit my personality?
- Will it interest me?
- Will it play to my strengths?
If you can answer yes to these three questions, it’s a good time to take the next most common path and start to look for jobs.
Thirty-one per cent of people think study is the way to go, and in this case, Lambart says, “you need to feel confident that the course will lead you to a positive career outcome.”
You can also read about these 6 steps to a successful career change to help plot your course.
Be your own boss
“Successful companies like Disney and Microsoft started during a recession, so as long as you do your research, now could be the perfect time to start your own venture,” Lambart says. Many people are thinking about owning their own business as a result of COVID-19, with more than double considering this option, as compared to November 2019.
Here are Lambart’s top four tips for entrepreneurs:
- Start a business in an area you’re interested in
- Play to your strengths, skills and previous experience
- Do your research and find a gap in the market
- Do your homework about your potential income.
Lambart’s final tip: take one small action each day to move closer to your end goal.
Source: Independent research conducted by Nature on behalf of SEEK. Interviewing 4800 Australians annually.
