Changing careers

Making a career change is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, but whatever your reasons for wanting to do something different, a carefully planned move can turn out to be incredibly rewarding

According to HR solutions provider LLH's 2024 report on The Great Potential: Global Workforce of the Future, nearly half (46%) of the 30,000 workers questioned wanted to change careers but didn't know which path to take.

Despite this high proportion of the working population assessing their options, leading bank Santander found that the average worker felt it was too late to change careers by age 45 due to a lack of digital skills.

While changing careers involves much thought, planning, and effort, it's still worth considering, as your job satisfaction and enjoyment levels are likely to increase in a role that you feel more passionately about.

If you're wondering about the practicalities of changing careers, including keeping pace with the latest technology, here are some key things to bear in mind as you contemplate your next step.

Reasons for a career change

Whether you've reached your limits and cannot progress in your current role or would like to challenge yourself by putting your skills to use in a different setting, there are various reasons why you may be looking to make a career change.

For instance, you may feel the need for a change of scenery or schedule due to the transition into self-employment, ensuring that it fits around your other commitments.

There are also certain professions which have proved popular with career changers. For instance, you can enter areas of teaching and law from a range of backgrounds. The nature of these careers means they're particularly suited to those with previous experience working in other sectors.

If you'd like to try something new but aren't sure where to start, consider taking the Job Match questionnaire. In just a few minutes, you'll discover the roles where your skills could be invaluable.

The benefits of changing career

'Finding fulfilling work can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, your relationships, your self-esteem, and even, over time, your bank balance,' says Natasha Stanley, head coach, writer and experience designer at Careershifters. 'The average person spends a third of their life at work. If you're miserable in your job, it matters.'

You'll have the freedom to pursue what's important to you. 'Rather than being limited to what you think you 'can' do based on your current skill set, look at what you're naturally drawn to, in and out of work,' Natasha says. 'This could be as broad as being creative or active.' Approaching work this way will increase your motivation and overall job satisfaction.

Things to consider

However, you'll likely have to make sacrifices to go ahead with this decision. For instance, you may incur extra costs from relocating or changing your commute - you may even need to take a pay cut to move companies or sectors.

A new career is also likely to bring a new routine, which may affect your work/life balance, particularly if you're entering a career that requires you to study for a qualification beforehand or alongside work - you'll need to factor in time to study.

Furthermore, you'll be entering an unfamiliar working environment and will have to build new relationships and a good professional reputation from scratch. Therefore, it's crucial to have a good support network around you.

'Career change takes time, and big journeys are much easier with a team of supporters,' explains Natasha. 'Surrounding yourself with other career changers, trusted family and friends, experts and mentors can inspire you, help you find solutions to obstacles, and stay accountable,' she says.

If you're happy with your current work conditions but want a new challenge, you don't necessarily have to change jobs. Enquire with your HR or personnel department about any available continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.

Finding a new career

If you've got your heart set on changing careers, the first thing you'll need to do is research. Come up with suitable career change ideas by browsing job profiles. You'll be able to find out more about what's involved with different roles and their entry requirements.

Through your research, you may find that you can gain the qualifications you need without studying for another degree.

When looking at short courses, you'll find that microcredentials offer some excellent options, while sites such as Udemy and Skillshare list thousands of online courses in a range of specialisms, from digital marketing and nutrition to audio production and public speaking.

Course prices start from as little as £10 - some are even free - and you'll be able to fit studying around other commitments.

Once you know the path you'd like to pursue, you can start seeking opportunities. Update your professional social media profiles to clearly state your intention to change industries and give details of the skills and experience you have that will be well-suited.

Career retraining

You may need to consider further study or professional training for some careers.

For instance, you may need to complete a conversion course and gain sector-specific qualifications to work in industries such as:

• engineering
• healthcare
• IT
• teaching.

If you've set your sights on working in the legal profession, you can take a conversion course such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and a preparation course before taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). If you'd like to become a barrister, you'd need to do a conversion course and then take a Bar course before completing pupillage.

Aspiring psychologists will need to take a psychology conversion course, which can be completed as an MSc or postgraduate diploma (PGDip).

It's never too late to retrain in another field - in fact, having life experience behind you when heading back to university can work to your advantage. Look out for open days and events aimed at job changers to learn more about how to enter your chosen field at postgraduate level.

To see what's on offer as you look to forge a new career, search postgraduate conversion courses.

Writing a career change CV

Don't forget to update your CV and cover letter to reflect this career change.

Employers won't view this as a negative move as long as you provide solid reasons for your shift in focus.

View our cover letter template for career changers for inspiration.

How to hand in your notice

Once you've received a new job offer, you must hand in your notice. This is a formal letter of resignation stating your intention to leave your current position, and you'll typically hand it in to your line manager.

Your notice should be succinct, positive and respectful and include your date of departure. This will be in relation to the length of your notice period, which will typically be at least two weeks. However, this could be shorter if you're still on probation, or longer if you're in a senior position. Your contract should include details of how much notice you must give before changing jobs.

Be prepared to discuss your reasons for leaving with your manager. This could lead to various outcomes - for instance, you may be offered an incentive to stay or be required to negotiate a longer notice period than you were expecting. If you're joining a rival company, you may be placed on gardening leave - a situation that results in an employee being suspended on full pay while serving their notice period - and asked to leave the premises immediately.

By law, your employer is required to issue you a P45 once you've handed in your notice. A P45 is a document detailing how much tax you've paid so far in the present tax year (which runs from 6 April to 5 April), made up of four parts. You'll keep one part for your own records - the others are split between His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and your new employer. For more information, see GOV.UK - PAYE forms.

After your notice has been accepted, focus on making a lasting impression. Keep on good terms with your colleagues and managers and compile comprehensive handover notes for your replacement. This way, you're more likely to be given a positive reference for your next employer.

Find out more

• Learn more about what's involved in getting a job.
• See what else you could do with your degree.
• Consider the skills employers are looking for.
• Read the Prospects blog to stay up-to-date on news, insights and opinions.