Making a career change is a decision which shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, if you’ve done your research and planning, choosing a new career can be a life-changing and rewarding experience with a whole host of benefits. 

Here we will look at how you can identify the signs that you need to change career, why you should consider choosing a new career, and the benefits of making a career change.

Should I Change Careers?

The evolution of lifestyles, technology and work patterns, means change can be constant in our lives. There are far more education and training opportunities open to us now, which are far more accessible also. So a career change is not such a dramatic consideration. It is common for people to retrain and take on new challenges. These days, if you stay in the same job or profession for life, you are in a minority.

In the past, perhaps your career was seen as a means to an end. Nowadays, our careers have become a key part of assembling a fulfilling lifestyle. Career goals are much more aligned with lifestyle goals, and hence are higher on our list of priorities.

Certainly, there are many signs that it’s time to switch careers. For example, if you find you are clock-watching all day, you are becoming irritated by things like your commute, or you simply hate the thought of getting up in the morning, these are all signs a change is necessary.

Why Should I Change My Career?

Reasons for choosing a new career can generally be categorised as planned or unplanned. You may be forced to change your career because of redundancy, moving location, or the industry you are working in collapsing. Or perhaps you have had an enforced absence from work through paternity, illness, working in the Armed Forces or a prison sentence. These would be considered unplanned reasons for a career change.

Alternatively, you may be making a career change after a long period of contemplation and planning, this will usually come from one of the following reasons:

  • A New Challenge

    As nice as it may be to get into a routine, too much of the same thing can leave us feeling bored and unsatisfied with life. If you are comfortable and secure in your job, it’s possible that it has become routine too. Therefore, you need to push yourself to get out of your comfort zone. You know that new skills and challenges are just what you need to refresh your career. Take a look at our entry-level tech jobs if that’s an industry you are interested in. You can also take a look at jobs for people over 50 you could consider.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Reaching your 40s or 50s typically sees your needs revert away from life at work and back to home life. You may find yourself wanting to spend more time at home, with family, or wanting to travel more or spend more time on a hobby. Perhaps you have different family circumstances, such as a divorce or an empty nest as children have gone to university. It is not uncommon for people in this age bracket to seek part-time work, or certainly to find a job with more flexibility away from a rigid 9-5 format. If you are starting a new career in a new town, you should also consider how it will impact your work/life balance. A change of career can offer the improved work/life balance you’ve been searching for. Take a look at our jobs for ex cabin crew, jobs for ex nurses, or jobs for former chefs.

  • Rediscover Your Passion

    In our younger years, we all have dreams and ideas of our dream jobs. Unfortunately, life gets in the way and we find ourselves taking jobs out of necessity as opposed to desire. With mortgages, kids and general expenses, we have no option but to earn money and we choose the quickest and most practical ways of doing it. This might lead us down a different career path.

    However, it is very common to then revisit our initial passion in later life, particularly if we have built a nest egg. Nowadays, technology and online resources make this much easier to undertake. Retraining has never been so easy which means that many can finally land their dream job. Take a look at our jobs for musicians and our woodworking jobs. They may reignite a passion you once had.

  • Job Satisfaction

    Quite simply, you are not happy in your job. And with only 17% of British workers claiming to love their job, you’re not in the minority. We spend so much of our time at work that being unhappy can roll over into our personal lives too. A change of environment, meeting new people and having less stress and less tedium can bring new energy to your life. As the saying goes, “A change is as good as a rest”.

The Benefits of Making a Career Change

There are a number of immediate realities which can be addressed by changing careers, such as having an increased income, a new working environment and fresh challenges. But on a wider scale, you can also achieve the following through refreshing your career:

  • Personal and professional growth

  • Refresh your skills and learn new ones

  • Fulfil your potential and receive a salary that reflects your worth

  • Achieve a better work/life balance

  • Inspire those closest to you by successfully taking the leap

  • Meet new people and build new relationships

Help Choosing a New Career

At the end of the day, you’re the only one who can make the decision about choosing a new career. Once you’re happy with your decision, however, a whole world of opportunities can open up for you.

Refreshing a Career is packed with help and advice for career changers. From help choosing which career is right for you to CV writing tips, we’re here to help your career change. Take a look at our Complete Guide to Changing your Career.

Also, be sure to check out our live job board for up-to-date information on career change jobs in your area.

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