Which road will you choose?
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Whether youâre looking to change jobs or switch careers, getting started can feel overwhelming. But there are steps you can take to ease the journey, such as crafting a solid plan. It will take time and persistence, but a detailed road map can help lead you to a more fulfilling role.
You can make the transition smoother and set yourself up for success in a new job or career by taking stock of your skills and experience, furthering your education, and establishing and building connections.
Key Points
- Evaluating your skills and interests is key to landing the new job or career you want.
- Take courses, earn a certificate, or volunteer to build relevant skills to help you pursue your new job or career.
- Connect with people who work for your desired employer or are involved in the field youâre pursuing to expedite your job search.
Changing jobs vs. switching careers: Key differences
Changing jobs differs from switching careers, although the two can be easily confused. When someone talks about changing jobs, they may indeed mean finding a new field of workâa new career. But changing jobs usually involves simply changing employers, while typically retaining a job title or responsibilities similar to those associated with your former role. You may also end up moving to a new industry. For example, instead of working as a marketing manager at a consumer goods company, you may hold the same title and position at a health care provider.
Ambition vs. necessity
People usually change jobs or careers because of ambition or necessity. Driven by ambition, your focus might be on securing a higher-profile role with greater responsibility. If necessity is the driving force, you may be most concerned with escaping a toxic work environment or not losing your job to automation.
A career change is a more significant shift that brings substantially different responsibilities and perhaps a new title. A career change may require you to develop expertise in a new field, especially if your chosen career is a significant pivot from your current occupation. For example, rather than working as a marketing manager, you may decide you want to learn how to code and become a software developer.
Other ways job changes and career changes differ:
- Job changes are less risky. Switching jobs is less risky than changing careers because you can leverage your existing skills and industry knowledge to find a similar role.
- A pay cut may be necessary to change careers. You might earn less if you start over in a new career, perhaps at entry level. In contrast, a straightforward job change may result in increased pay.
- Career transitions take more time. It takes timeâmonths or even yearsâto acquire knowledge and skills, plus land a new position. Job changes can occur in a matter of days or weeks.
- A job change may have little impact. Hopping to a new job may improve your pay or get you away from a toxic manager who creates a negative workplace, but the nature of your work stays fundamentally the same. A career change is more like a life change, with a potentially enormous impact.
Top reasons to change your job or career
You may have several reasons for wanting to change your job or career. Whether youâre driven by financial necessity, a desire to have a greater impact, or some other factor, these reasons may resonate with you:
- Automation is phasing out jobs in your industry.
- Concerns persist about your companyâs financial or operational stability.
- Growth opportunities are limited or nonexistent within your industry.
- A toxic work environment is affecting your well-being or your job performance.
- Finding impactful work that makes a tangible difference is a priority.
- Your professional talents and abilities are underutilized.
- Having more autonomy and decision-making authority are key career goals.
- Youâre burned out or your current job places overwhelming demands on you.
- Your work-life balance is unsatisfactory.
- The income or benefits your current role provides are insufficient.
- A shift in personal priorities has you rethinking whether your current job remains a good fit.
7 strategies for successful career transition
Every individual approaches changing jobs or careers differently, but these seven strategies can help you achieve the result youâre aiming for and expedite the process.
- Make a job transition plan. Start by defining your objectives, the specific steps youâll take, and a possible timeline. If youâre uncertain of the steps required, research the typical path for getting into your target profession.
- Evaluate your skills to ease your move. Which of your current professional skills will transfer to your targeted role? Talents such as leadership, project management, and problem-solving are useful and desirable in many professions.
- Get additional formal education. A specific degree may be required to enter your target profession, or the right academic credentials might make the transition easier. Getting more education and training can be a smart move if you want to smooth the way to a new career or if you donât meet the entry requirements.
- Earn a relevant skill certificate. If years of formal schooling feel impractical or unobtainable, you can earn a certificate to demonstrate relevant qualifications for your target career. Certificate courses often teach practical skills that are fundamental to specific professions.
- Get hands-on experience. Gaining practical experienceâwhether through an internship, freelance or part-time work, or volunteeringâis essential to switching careers. Real-world experience can:
- Create opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge
- Develop your practical job skills
- Provide insight into the professionâs day-to-day responsibilities and challenges
- Build your resume to make you more marketable to your target employers
- Build a professional network. The adage, âItâs not what you know, but who you know,â is often repeatedâand for good reason. When nurtured thoughtfully, the right professional relationships can provide valuable support, advice, and job opportunities. Form new professional connections by attending industry events, joining online communities, and using social media sites like LinkedIn to find professionals in your target sector who can help with your search.
- Consider finding a mentor or career coach. Mentors typically share valuable experiences, provide tailored advice, and can help you navigate major professional challenges. Career coaches offer similar personalized support that may focus more on developing career-switching strategies.
The bottom line
Changing jobs or careers can feel overwhelming, but with thoughtful planning, itâs possible to make a successful switch. Important strategies include evaluating your skills, furthering your education, gaining hands-on experience, and expanding your network. Job changes typically involve staying in the same field with similar responsibilities, while career changes require more time and may involve learning new skills.
Whether you end up switching jobs or changing careers, exit your current role gracefully. Give adequate notice of your departure, document important processes, complete or otherwise hand off any ongoing projects, and generally make a sincere effort to minimize the disruption that will be caused by your absence. Keep the door open to maintaining the professional relationships youâve developed, even among colleagues with whom you didnât see eye to eye. Time heals all wounds, but a burned bridge takes time to rebuildâif it can be salvaged at all.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Allie Grace GarnettThis article was most recently revised and updated by David Schepp
