How Do I Make a Career Change?

How Do I Make a Career Change?

The Great Resignation - what happened?

It seems like ages ago, but the COVID–19 pandemic was only in 2020. This major event made many people reevaluate their lives and look for more fulfilling work. In the UK, thousands decided to stop work altogether, leave the “Rat Race,” do something they thought was more fun, or set up their own businesses, and this was termed “the Great Resignation.”

I can’t find any statistics that show how many are still doing their new jobs or how many of those businesses are still trading. I guess that many people have returned to their old careers.

Career progression - how to make it

Changing careers can be difficult!

Your younger self may have chosen a career and committed to studying and gaining experience to make it happen. Much of the time, this works out, and many have successful and progressive careers in one type of business.

But sometimes, you must change. As you have grown as a person, your interests and priorities may have changed, and the work you do needs to reflect that.

A Change of direction

Hospitality, social services and retail are where people often start work – weekend or holiday jobs that turn into full-time jobs. Then you realise that these jobs can require long hours, have relatively low pay and offer limited career progression. So, it is not surprising that ambitious people will move on.

However, some highly qualified careers, such as teaching, also have a high turnover. In 2022-2023, nearly 40,000 teachers cited stress, workload, and pay as their reasons for leaving. This is a profession with good career prospects and great holidays, so it can happen anywhere.

Anecdotally, I receive calls every week from teachers who want to leave and get another job.

Why is it difficult to change careers?

Sometimes, you need to have certain qualifications and experience to do a job, which makes it hard to get into. When someone is recruiting for a job in their organisation, it is easier to employ someone who is already doing a similar job. You may also have limited resources to train new people. So, considering an applicant from a different industry sector is probably low on an employer’s list.

Frustrating, but true, despite the “transferable skills” you profess to have. Think of it from the employer’s point of view.

How to do it

But if you have set your heart on moving from being a Barista to being a Barrister (or vice-versa!), then:

• Be clear about why you want to leave your current profession
• Do your research into your chosen profession. Who are the main employers? What is the work like? What qualifications would help? Can I start studying now?
• Be sure that moving to a new profession will give you what you want in terms of satisfaction, progression, and pay.
• Do you have any really transferable skills?

You may need to make your transition in stages by moving to the right company, but in the wrong job and then proving yourself. If you are already a valued employee, you will receive greater consideration for internal vacancies.

Is it the right time?

Is there ever a right time to make big changes in your life? The response is often, “Yesterday” or at least “Tomorrow”.

If you've decided it needs to happen, talk to as many people as possible, conduct your research, and attend business networking events to build your contacts.

Best opportunities for a career move

Some of the fastest-growing and most in-demand jobs in the UK include:

• IT and technology roles (e.g., cybersecurity, software development).
• Healthcare roles.
• Finance roles.
• Renewable energy roles.
• Sustainability professionals.

I wish you all the best in your search for the right career.

This is original content written by Tony Line, and the opinions are my own. April 2025.