How to change professions?
A lot of us think about changing jobs and by that not only the Employer, but industry or even profession. Then why don’t we do that? Because we’re simply scared of failure. It’s possible to change your field of work, but you have to keep in mind it doesn’t come with nothing but benefits. In this article we will show pros and cons of such a decision, as well as give few main steps you have to take to change your work life completely.
Let’s start with numbers and facts. According to Randstad’s research as many as 88% of Polish participants claim to be able to change profession or industry. Nearly 50% of respondents think about changing industries within the next 2 years and more women, than men, have shown readiness to make such a decision. Age also matters, among respondents who are in their late twenties almost 60% take into consideration making radical changes; on the other hand among people between 50-65 years of age only 39% are ready to change their work lives. Education and type of contract are also important aspects, people with higher education and with a stable contract are less open to radical changes (Randstad, 2018). What are the reasons behind our will to change industries? Talentplace.pl portal tells us about lack of happiness coming from our work, badly chosen profession at the beginning of one’s career or simply need to try something new (Gromulska, 2020). From our experience – it’s usually simply feeling burnout. If you don’t gain any satisfaction from the work you’re doing and every Monday you get up to work just because you have to, living convinced that there’s nothing interesting waiting for you – there’s a high chance burnout got you too.
How do we start? Think about what you’re really fond of doing, which of your current duties make you most content and which ones you truly avoid doing. Make sure that the path you took to change industries will guarantee you full satisfaction from work. It’s best if you read about positions and duties that may be waiting for you at the end of the changing process or in other words – your competences being widened. If there are friends that you envy their profession ask them how the job looks like in practice. What difficulties they have to face on a daily basis. At the end think if you’re making the decision about changing your work life knowing those less pleasant effects.
What do we mean? You must be aware that you might not keep your current salary at the same level. You’ll still have years of work experience, but in the completely new field of work you’ll have to learn a lot of things and that usually comes with lesser salary. Your position will probably be lower than your current one. If for example you’re now a senior specialist make sure you will be comfortable taking the position of a junior specialist. If you see yourself as a manager be aware that taking that position is going to take longer once you change professions.
You’re sure what you want to do and are certain it’s a good decision? Time to take action! Find out which competences are usually required on the position you wish to apply for. Look for courses/college linked to your future profession. Before signing up for a course check in what form it takes place (stationary or remote), how many hours each place offers, is it only theory or practice as well. In case of courses for specific programs (e.g. accounting) it’s worth finding out if being a part of a certain course will guarantee you access to the program, so you can enhance your skills on your own. Be sure to check opinions of people who have already taken part in such a course.
If the course takes place in a stationary form, don’t be afraid to talk to other participants. Try to make as many new acquaintances as possible, add new friends to your business social media, e.g. on LinkedIn. There’s a high chance those people have already began their career path in the industry and are now enhancing their skills. Perhaps they work in companies that you might find attractive and give you some useful advice or even point to Employers that are looking for brave employees – such as you!
Not always changing profession has to mean changing your Employer as well. If for example until now you have worked in the customer service, but have recently found yourself to be a trader and want to actively gain new Clients, just talk to your Employer. Even if you think that there is no need for a new person in the sales department – “because there’s no job offer on the internet” – it’s always worth to ask. Most companies want to keep a loyal employee to themselves on the position that will give him/her satisfaction and will try to find a place for you among different department than your current one. And every Employer will definitely appreciate your honesty.
Course is finished, new skills obtained, so what’s next? If you can’t or don’t want to pursue your new career in the current company, there’s nothing else left to do than to start sending your CV. If you don’t know how to properly write your Curriculum Vitae we encourage you to get familiar with our other article – “How to write a CV?”. What is worth paying attention to when you want to apply for a job offer? Not only name of the position, but also range of duties and requirements, location of the new potential Employer, as well as the company itself (are you familiar with it, do you think its industry is close to you, do you think both you and the company will benefit from the collaboration?). If you want to present yourself better than what is in the CV, you can write letter of motivation. Point in it why are you interested in the position and how big of an opportunity it will be for you to be able to work in the company.
Now all you have to do is wait to hear back from your future Employer and don’t get discouraged when the phone doesn’t ring after a few sent applications. Some companies contact Candidates after a few weeks and your determination to fulfill your dreams will definitely be rewarded.
References:
Let’s start with numbers and facts. According to Randstad’s research as many as 88% of Polish participants claim to be able to change profession or industry. Nearly 50% of respondents think about changing industries within the next 2 years and more women, than men, have shown readiness to make such a decision. Age also matters, among respondents who are in their late twenties almost 60% take into consideration making radical changes; on the other hand among people between 50-65 years of age only 39% are ready to change their work lives. Education and type of contract are also important aspects, people with higher education and with a stable contract are less open to radical changes (Randstad, 2018). What are the reasons behind our will to change industries? Talentplace.pl portal tells us about lack of happiness coming from our work, badly chosen profession at the beginning of one’s career or simply need to try something new (Gromulska, 2020). From our experience – it’s usually simply feeling burnout. If you don’t gain any satisfaction from the work you’re doing and every Monday you get up to work just because you have to, living convinced that there’s nothing interesting waiting for you – there’s a high chance burnout got you too.
How do we start? Think about what you’re really fond of doing, which of your current duties make you most content and which ones you truly avoid doing. Make sure that the path you took to change industries will guarantee you full satisfaction from work. It’s best if you read about positions and duties that may be waiting for you at the end of the changing process or in other words – your competences being widened. If there are friends that you envy their profession ask them how the job looks like in practice. What difficulties they have to face on a daily basis. At the end think if you’re making the decision about changing your work life knowing those less pleasant effects.
What do we mean? You must be aware that you might not keep your current salary at the same level. You’ll still have years of work experience, but in the completely new field of work you’ll have to learn a lot of things and that usually comes with lesser salary. Your position will probably be lower than your current one. If for example you’re now a senior specialist make sure you will be comfortable taking the position of a junior specialist. If you see yourself as a manager be aware that taking that position is going to take longer once you change professions.
You’re sure what you want to do and are certain it’s a good decision? Time to take action! Find out which competences are usually required on the position you wish to apply for. Look for courses/college linked to your future profession. Before signing up for a course check in what form it takes place (stationary or remote), how many hours each place offers, is it only theory or practice as well. In case of courses for specific programs (e.g. accounting) it’s worth finding out if being a part of a certain course will guarantee you access to the program, so you can enhance your skills on your own. Be sure to check opinions of people who have already taken part in such a course.
If the course takes place in a stationary form, don’t be afraid to talk to other participants. Try to make as many new acquaintances as possible, add new friends to your business social media, e.g. on LinkedIn. There’s a high chance those people have already began their career path in the industry and are now enhancing their skills. Perhaps they work in companies that you might find attractive and give you some useful advice or even point to Employers that are looking for brave employees – such as you!
Not always changing profession has to mean changing your Employer as well. If for example until now you have worked in the customer service, but have recently found yourself to be a trader and want to actively gain new Clients, just talk to your Employer. Even if you think that there is no need for a new person in the sales department – “because there’s no job offer on the internet” – it’s always worth to ask. Most companies want to keep a loyal employee to themselves on the position that will give him/her satisfaction and will try to find a place for you among different department than your current one. And every Employer will definitely appreciate your honesty.
Course is finished, new skills obtained, so what’s next? If you can’t or don’t want to pursue your new career in the current company, there’s nothing else left to do than to start sending your CV. If you don’t know how to properly write your Curriculum Vitae we encourage you to get familiar with our other article – “How to write a CV?”. What is worth paying attention to when you want to apply for a job offer? Not only name of the position, but also range of duties and requirements, location of the new potential Employer, as well as the company itself (are you familiar with it, do you think its industry is close to you, do you think both you and the company will benefit from the collaboration?). If you want to present yourself better than what is in the CV, you can write letter of motivation. Point in it why are you interested in the position and how big of an opportunity it will be for you to be able to work in the company.
Now all you have to do is wait to hear back from your future Employer and don’t get discouraged when the phone doesn’t ring after a few sent applications. Some companies contact Candidates after a few weeks and your determination to fulfill your dreams will definitely be rewarded.
References:
- Gromulska, E. (2020, 4 9). Pobrano z lokalizacji https://talentplace.pl/blog/dla-kandydatow/chce-zmienic-sciezke-swojej-kariery-jak-sie-rozsadnie-przebranzowic
- Randstad. (2018, 11 13). Pobrano z lokalizacji https://www.randstad.pl/strefa-pracownika/rozwoj-zawodowy/prawie-polowa-polakow-ma-zamiar-przebranzowic-sie-w-ciagu-najblizszych-kilku-lat
