Ready for a career change?

Identify whether it is a career change that you need

Before making any decision on a career change, take a look at the other areas of your life. It may be that something else is making you feel unsettled, or maybe you are feeling burned out because you have over-committed yourself to too many activities.

Can giving up some of your activities and simplifying your life make you feel better? Here is a suggested process for making changes.

1. Identify areas that you would like to change.
2. Start by picking one area and think about the changes you would like to make. Start small and don’t be too hard on yourself. Set goals using the SMARTER principle – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timed, Evaluated and Reviewed.
3. Repeat step two until you feel under control.
4. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need to.

• Mind Tools website - try the Wheel of Life exercise to see how well-balanced different aspects of your life are
  
• Are you suffering from burnout? - Take this quiz to find out
• Do I want a career change? worksheet - a list of questions to help you decide if a career change is really what you need (MS Word - 34KB)

Think about what you would want from a new job

If you've looked at the rest of your life, and have think that switching careers is an option you want to explore, ask yourself the following questions.

• Do you feel like doing something more challenging?
• Are you keen to learn new skills or gain more qualifications?
• Do you want to feel motivated in your job?
• Do you want a radical change or just a small change? Is it that your position needs to change, your employer or the career field?
• Have you no choice but to make a change? For example, you may have moved towns or been made redundant.

What else should you consider before making a change?

Changing careers may have an impact on other parts of your life, and the people that you are closest to. Try to identify these effects before making a change, as they may play an important part in your decision.

• How do you want to balance your work with family life?
• What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing?
• What are your values?
• What aspects of work are important to you spiritually to let you lead the life you want?
• What other commitments do you have in your life? Will a change in career affect these?
• Who will be affected by changes to your career?
• What sacrifices are you willing to make to achieve your goal? What sacrifices are the people closest to you prepared to make?

Making a change isn't a straightforward process, but the more informed you are, the more comfortable you will be about your decision. Once you have considered why you want a career change then you can begin to explore the new and exciting challenges that lie ahead of you.

• Pros and cons of change worksheet - weigh up the good and bad of making a career change (MS Word - 37KB)

How to start making a change

Now that you've decided you're ready for a change, it's time to get things started.

• Take a fresh look at yourself – your interests, skills, values and qualities.
• Ask yourself, do I want to work in a new industry, for a new employer or in a new role?
• Be prepared for a possible reduction in income, a change of status, responsibility and prestige, a change in lifestyle and relocation.
• Gain support from your family and friends and talk your ideas through with them.

Our 'Plan your career' section has advice and activities to help you through these changes – start by getting to know yourself all over again.

• Not sure where to start? We've got tools and resources to help you get going