If you’re in the middle of your career but you feel like it’s time for a change, you might be wondering how you can transition into a new role. Moving careers can be a really exciting time but it’s not without its challenges. So, in this blog, we’ll talk you through how you can transition into a new career path without needing to completely start from scratch.
Deciding to change careers
There may be a number of reasons why you decide to change careers. For some, it may be that your interests and professional development have started to take you in a different direction that you now want to pursue. New challenges, career advancement and passion could all be the motivations behind a career move of this kind.
For others, it could be monetary motivation or other such benefits, such as achieving a better work-life balance and having more flexibility, or simply wanting to work with less stress.
If you feel like you want to change careers, knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming. However, with the right knowledge and preparation behind you, you can transition with ease into your next career.
Taking the leap
If you’ve made the decision to change your career but now you’re feeling a little apprehensive or worried about the transition, it’s important to remember why you are doing it. Whether it’s for a better balance across work and home life, or to pursue something that you are more passionate about, taking that leap could bring a wealth of benefits to both your professional and personal life.
So, while it may be a little nerve-wracking to think about changing roles, it could be the move you’ve been waiting for.
Tips on how to transition into a new role without starting over
When it comes to transitioning into that new role without feeling like you need to start over, you might feel a little stumped on where to start. So, let us give you some tips and insights.
Leverage transferable skills
Take a look at your existing skills that you’ll be able to transfer to your new role. This could include good communication skills, leadership, problem-solving or technical expertise. Each of these skills can be easily transferrable to a new role, allowing you apply your existing experience to a brand new career. This can give you the best chance of success in a new position as you take your past experiences with you.
Build on your existing networks
When entering a new role or even a new industry altogether, you can lean on your professional connections to learn more about your new position. Whether it’s mentors, colleagues or alumni, you no doubt already have a network of people at your fingertips who can provide you with helpful insights, advice or introductions.
Showcase proven results
When looking to make the move, familiarise yourself with proven results that you’ve provided in past roles. Look at your accomplishments and try to glean data-backed results that can help to demonstrate your ability to deliver in your new role. This can be a great step in excelling in your next opportunity, even if you’ve come from a different career background.
Consider a bridge role
If you’re feeling particularly apprehensive about changing career paths, you might want to consider a more transitional approach. This could mean choosing a role that is little closer to your target field, but utilising some of the familiarity of your current role. This can help to ease the shift to a new role more gradually to help your confidence.
Look for internal opportunities
If you are hoping for a new role but still love the company you work for, there’s no reason why you can’t look within the company for opportunities. Not only can this provide a smoother shift as you already know the company values and mission, but it still gives you the chance to learn more skills while leveraging your existing reputation.
Get relevant training or certifications
If you’re looking to move roles but you feel like you might need some further backing to help you achieve it, consider putting in the time to identify any gaps in your knowledge and address them before making the transition. This could be through further education or training courses, showcasing your commitment to continuous development and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
Build upon your personal brand
Set some good foundations ahead of your transition into a new role by updating the likes of your CV and LinkedIn profile. This gives you the opportunity to emphasise how your background and previous experience suits your next move, highlighting your experience that’s most relevant and unique.
Adapt your mindset
It’s important to stay open to learning and embrace change. Starting a new role might require some adjustment, whether it’s company culture and policies, using different tools within your role or following different processes. It can be an exciting time to broaden your experience and understand how different companies or teams do things differently to ways you’ve known before.
For more help and insights on career progression and tips on your next career move, take a look at our career advice. Alternatively, why not have a look at careers at SEFE and find the right fit for you.
To find out more about careers at SEFE please visit our homepage.
The views, opinions and positions expressed within this article are those of our third-party content providers alone and do not represent those of SEFE. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. SEFE accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or representations.
