Changing careers: a 5-step plan for success

By: The Capella University Editorial Team

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Many people consider changing careers but stall when it comes to taking action.

Inertia, uncertainty and fear of the unknown are common obstacles that can stand in the way. Often, all it takes to kick-start a career transition is a serious self-inventory and an executable action plan.

Create a clear pathway for success by following these five steps.

1. Examine your needs and skills

Start by defining why you want to change careers and what you need from your next role. Then identify your interests, abilities and priorities, such as pay, schedule, advancement opportunities and work-life balance:

• Research occupations and industries that match your interests or are expanding. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compare job responsibilities, projected demand, pay, entry requirements, advancement opportunities and work-life factors. Job boards and business publications can provide current hiring information.
• Take a personal assessment to discover your strengths and latent talents. Tests such as the Strong Interest Inventory and O*NET Interest Profiler can help you understand your likes and dislikes, working styles and how you react to certain situations – knowledge that can help you zero in on suitable careers.
• List your skills and abilities, then separate transferable skills you can apply in a new field from job-specific skills you need to develop. Compare your list with requirements for the roles you want, and ask friends, colleagues or professional connections what skills the work requires.

2. Set your career trajectory

Once you know what you want and which skills you need to build, put that knowledge into action:

• Use company-sponsored education courses to build skills required for your target role and show initiative.
• Shadow professionals in your target role to assess its daily responsibilities, entry requirements and work environment. Then decide whether the role matches your expectations.
• Freelance or volunteer in a field related to your target role to test your interest, gain relevant experience and build work samples for potential employers.
• Look for roles in your current industry that use your transferable skills while giving you the changes you want in your work.
• Create a resume that showcases your applicable personal and job-related skills.

3. Build a strong network

Strategic networking is critical to any career search – especially for a career change. Contact those who can connect you with decision-makers in your field of interest. Prepare and practice an elevator speech, a 30-second personal introduction that explains succinctly why you’re a good fit for the position you want. Other networking options include:

• Tap your immediate circle – family, friends, neighbors – to make connections.
• Join and become active in professional associations.
• Use online social networking tools to broadcast your abilities and learn from experts in your field of interest.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your target market.
• Create a business card to give to important contacts.

4. Set realistic goals

Major life changes don’t happen overnight, so be realistic. You’ll need to commit to a process that requires time, energy, planning, patience, trust and hard work. You might need to take an intermediate position to learn necessary new skills or accept a pay cut or less responsibility while you establish yourself in your new field.

Set specific, measurable goals for the next three, six and 12 months. For each time frame, identify the skills you’ll build, the experience you’ll gain and the next career decision you’ll make.

5. Get support

Build a support network as you plan your career change. Ask family and friends for encouragement and talk with professionals who can help you assess your options. A mentor can share field-specific perspective, a coach can help you identify your strengths and a trusted friend or family member can offer an outside view of your abilities.

Choose people who can support specific next steps, such as researching roles, arranging an informational interview, updating your resume or meeting a goal by a set date.

Set a written plan with research tasks, action steps, target dates and regular check-ins with your support network. Review the plan as you learn more about the work and the education or training it requires.