Want to change careers but don't know how?
Making a successful career change can be a daunting process. Changing careers is a journey of self-discovery, identifying your skills and strengths, and understanding the ever-changing and increasingly VUCA world of work.
The reality is, while changing careers is an exciting prospect, it can also be filled with uncertainties and challenges. But it’s not all doom and gloom. With the right attitude together with information, support and guidance from a career change expert you can successfully transition into a new career that you’ll love.
Common career change challenges
Many people find navigating career change a challenge. Changing careers can be a bit like navigating a densely wooded forest without a map. Surrounded by countless paths, each leading to a different destination. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and unsure of which direction to take. And once you’ve identified some viable options, how do you narrow these down and make a choice? What if you make the wrong choice? What if you fail?
Then there’s the challenge of figuring out what skills you actually have and how they might translate to a new career which can be like trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces. And there’s the realisation you may have some skills, knowledge or experience gaps that need to be addressed – how do you do that?
Stepping outside your comfort zone and into a new career can be scary. And let’s not forget the importance of networking. Building new professional relationships can be daunting, especially when you’re starting from scratch.
Working with a career change expert
One of the best things you can do to achieve a successful career change is to work with a career change expert. What is a career change expert you might ask. A career change expert is someone who is specially trained in taking people through a process of career exploration and decision-making. In the UK, a Registered Career Development Professional (RCDP) is a CDI-recognised career development expert who can guide you through the career change process. They have been assessed as having the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to help you with:
Self-Discovery: In addition to insightful coaching questions, a coach might also use various assessments and techniques to help you understand your personal and work values, strengths, interests, and personality. This insight is crucial for making informed career choices. At CareerWorx we are trained and certified in using the TalentPredix strengths assessment and VIA Character Strengths tools to help you uncover your strengths and talents and how to best leverage these in your career.
Skills Assessment: Helping you identify your transferable skills and experience, is crucial when making a career change. This knowledge can open up new career paths you haven’t yet considered. Equally important is recognising any skills and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed and understanding how to attain them.
Career Exploration: Identifying and exploring different career options, researching industries, and understanding job requirements are all a part of career exploration. Changes driven by technology and global mobility and instability, career exploration has become even more challenging. Your career coach can direct you to credible sources of labour market information (LMI) including job outlooks, information on salary ranges, and educational requirements.
Career Planning: Career change coaching results in a personalised career plan outlining your goals, steps, and timelines. Your career plan provides a roadmap for your career journey removing doubt and confusion. Instead, you’ll have clarity and the confidence needed to make a successful career transition.
Job Search Strategies: A specially trained career coach will share the latest and most effective job search techniques, help you create an impactful CV and cover letter. While there are many examples online, the approach for you is unique. You’ll also understand the elements of a powerful LinkedIn profile and how to use the algorithm to reach your career goals. Your career change coach will also help you with interview preparation including interview coaching to ensure you ace your next interview.
Career Transition Support: Your career change coach will also provide emotional and practical support as you navigate your career change. They can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Practical support with CV and cover letter tailoring, interview preparation and salary negotiation is also often part of the support provided.
Why choose a career coach who is a RCDP?
There are many reasons to choose a RCDP to help you with your career transition including:
Expertise: With a minimum level 6 in career advice and guidance, a RCDP is equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to help you succeed in your career. RCDPs are also committed to continually updating their skills and knowledge in the career development field.
Objectivity: RCDPs provide an unbiased perspective, helping you make rational and informed decisions that are right for you. We use coaching skills to help you reflect and understand what you want and need in your career now, and into the future.
Personalised Support: Your career coach will tailor your career change coaching to your individual needs, providing customised guidance and support. While some common tools and strategies are used in career change coaching, there is a lot of scope for adjusting activities to an individual due to different communication styles, neurodiversity and preferred ways of working.
Ethics, Professionalism & Confidentiality: RCDPs adhere to a code of conduct which include things like accountability, duty of care and maintaining confidentiality by ensuring your personal information remains private. Click the following link if you are interested in learning more about the CDI Code of Ethics.
If you’re considering a career change, working with an expert career coach and RCDP can increase your chances of success. They can provide the guidance, support, and expertise you need to make informed decisions and achieve your career goals leading to career success and fulfilment.
3 tips for making a successful career change
The following three tips will help you achieve a successful career change:
- Work with a qualified and experienced career change coach, preferably a Registered Career Development Professional (RCDP). If you are making a career transition in Australia check out the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) or in the US, the National Career Development Association (NCDA)
- Bring your openness and curiosity to the career change process to explore possibilities you may not have considered
- Trust in the process and be prepared to do the work needed to reach your goals
Hopefully you have found this blog post useful to understand what makes for a successful career change. If there’s anything else you would have liked to see in this post, let us know in the comments below.
Want to book a free, 30-minute discovery call to see if career change coaching is for you?
Lisa LaRue, MCareerDev, RCDP, MAC
Career Coach, EMCC-Accredited Master Practitioner Coach and CDI-Registered Career Development Professional with more than 20 years’ experience helping achieve successful and fulfilling careers.
