Explore your career choices

Is a career change the right thing for me?

5 minutes

Making the decision to pursue a career change should be well considered. It will require an investment of your time and effort and will likely require compromises to be made in terms of remuneration, additional training and possibly starting over in terms of your career.

Use these questions to reflect on whether changing careers is the right thing for you.

What do I really want to do?

It’s important to identify and articulate your core values and determine how these align to your new career path. Without this ‘compass’, it’s easy to make misguided or poor choices that will never really satisfy you.

Can I really make this work?

Self-reflection and research are important steps in determining whether you can fit the demands of a new career and the skills and experience required. There needs to be a balance between what it is that you want to do and what the market in your desired field dictates.

What is my unique value proposition?

We all have a personal combination of skills and attributes that we bring to a prospective employer. But to make a successful career change, you’ll need to clearly articulate the connection between your value proposition and the role you want to pursue.

Identifying organisations where your skills can offer a solution to their specific needs can help you be successful in making a connection, and help in overcoming objections regarding your lack of experience.

Do I have relevant transferable skills?

You may not have direct experience in your chosen field but you may have skills that can be applied in a new context. Research will help you to determine which of your skills are transferable.

Is this option a good fit for me?

Learn as much as you can about your chosen field (skills, future opportunities etc) and what type of background fits well with this career. This will help you determine your suitability and ensure you are well informed when you start to speak with others about your aspirations.

Who can help me to make this change?

Consider people you might already know, attend industry events and conferences to learn more about what is needed to make the transition into a new career. You’ll need to build your network to ensure you’re front of mind when opportunities arise.

Will this change allow career growth in the longer term?

Only consider a career change into an industry or area where there is prospect for growth and a sustainable career. It isn’t worthwhile pursuing a career change into an area where your employment may be short lived so make sure to research this.

Will the change make me happy?

Undertaking some temporary work or volunteering may provide you with insight into whether you’re making the right choice in pursuing a career change.

Am I willing to start over and can I afford it?

If the career you’re interested in is significantly different to what you do today, you may need to accept lower pay and a change in your status. You’ll need to consider whether a change in remuneration is realistic for you.

It can be difficult to experience a step backwards, but if you’re willing to make these sacrifices and it’s practical for you to do so, it may still be worthwhile pursuing this change for the benefit of personal satisfaction.

Do I have the support to make it happen?

It’s important that friends and family support you in your decision to change careers – the more they understand your motivation, the more invested they will be in your success and the more committed you will be to making it work.

Am I willing to retrain?

Transitioning to a new career may require you to undergo training to learn new skills. Ask yourself whether you are willing to invest the time and money into doing so.

Is it the right time for me to make this change?

Changing careers can be a lengthy and time consuming process requiring research, networking and the acquisition of new skills. It may also require a change in lifestyle. If you are unable to undertake the level of personal commitment required to make it happen, or cannot afford to make compromises in terms of pay, it may not be the right time to consider a career change.

Are my expectations realistic?

Remember that there is no perfect job and changing careers is not a ‘magic wand’. Reflect on what you really hope to achieve by changing careers and balance this against what it will take for you to make it happen.

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