Sometimes, we all need a change. Whether you’re feeling unfulfilled in a new role or are looking for something completely different after many years in the same industry, it’s never too late to make a career change. We’ll tell you why.
Pursuing something new is always a daunting prospect, but don’t let fear deter you from following your true passions. The mental health benefits of loving what you do are life changing, and long-term job satisfaction makes the whole process worth it.
If your current role isn’t fulfilling your values or making the most of your skillset, it may be time to switch careers to find a job you love. Even if you’re not sure what the dream job is, we’ve pulled together a list of what to consider when searching for your next career.
Get started
Are you asking yourself, ‘what career is right for me?’ but coming up blank? Don’t panic! If you only know you need to switch but have no idea what the right career for you is, the first thing to do is to determine your needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why am I looking to change career? What about my current role isn’t bringing me career satisfaction?
- What am I willing to compromise in the short-term for long-term job satisfaction?
- What matters most to me in my career: salary, values, the work environment, or something else?
- What industry, passion or role have I always wanted to explore
- What are my current top skills and strengths?
- What skills do I wish I had?
For more guidance on what career is right for you, check out our career-guidance tool, designed to support those pursuing a new career through a process of building self-awareness and auto-coaching.
Which career for me?
If you already know where you want to be, focus on starting a plan of action.
Explore your new career path
Once you have pinpointed a career route based on your needs, you should dig deeper into that industry and the roles within it by researching and learning as much as possible. From there, you can determine what your next steps are. A great way to learn more about the realities of the job is by networking with people already in the industry, at careers events or on LinkedIn. You may be able to get an internship for the full experience as well.
For more insight, check out our range of online Explorer courses that delve deeper into a range of industries and help you determine if your skills and personal attributes are compatible with the diverse range of roles and opportunities in the sector.
Get the skills you need
Identify the skills you’ll need to get going in your career. While many professional skills are transferable across industries, some careers will require more specialist knowledge.
Online short courses, like the ones we have on offer, are the best way to upskill quickly and flexibly. There’s so many benefits of studying online and gaining the skills will show employers how determined and dedicated you are to your new career goals.
Want to find some courses to get you started? Take our course-finder quiz and get personalised learning recommendations straight to your inbox:
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Take the plunge
Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from pursuing your dream job. Remember to keep the momentum: pinpoint your needs and wants, research industries that match, learn new skills and make connections to take the next step in securing your future. Once you’re ready to start applying, use our new job toolkit to get started. From how to write a CV to what questions to expect in a job interview, we’ve got all the resources you need to help you stand out from the crowd.
New job toolkit
Wherever you want to go in your career, get there with UK Learns
Head to UK Learns and explore our ever-growing range of online courses, from cross-sector professional skills that will get your CV noticed to industry-specific accredited qualifications that real employers value. There’s something for everyone at UK Learns.
