According to our research, 71% of people in 2022 would be interested in changing careers for better employee benefits and probably feel that their professional lives have stalled during the pandemic.

Looking for a job can be daunting if you want to switch to a new career. A smooth transition to a new sector is one of the most challenging jobs search scenarios, as jobseekers usually do not have relevant work experience.

Although less dramatic than a complete career change, moving to another sector or industry offers the opportunity to take on a new challenge, grow professionally and make a difference.

A risk worth taking if

If the company's culture and values are not up to par, you struggle to build relationships with colleagues, or you don't like your job description, it's time to do things differently. 

Make sure you have good reasons for moving to a new career!

You should make sure you have good reasons for moving to a new career. You may be tired of your current job, have no opportunities for advancement, and feel stuck, aspire to a different environment with flexible working hours, or your responsibilities have increased, but your pay has not-and other things you dislike.

Start planning 

Changing interests and circumstances can lead people to change sectors. If you are considering a career transition, get a plan that will enable you to move from one industry to another. Also, you must remind yourself that many professionals decide to switch careers, so there's no need to be worried about it! The truth is that many people start doing one thing before they switch gears completely, even several times during their career! Among millennials, it is even considered a trend. Positively approaching a change proves adaptability, curiosity, and ambition.

Any career transition may require changes in your lifestyle. You need to be aware of this and consider how your life and family will be affected by these changes, healthcare, moving, childcare, etc.

What's your destination?

Now that you see a window for the opportunity to jump into the exciting unknown, you need to establish exactly where you want to redirect.

You may be reading this and already know what you want to work in another field or go back to school to learn something new.

It is impossible to know where you are going if you do not know where you are. The easiest way to do this self-assessment is to ask yourself the following questions: What is my ultimate goal? If I continue doing what I am doing today, will I get closer to my final destination? Will my 80-year-old self have more or less regrets because of my current choices?

OK, the plan is going well! You have assessed the risk and now have a direction to follow. How to get from point A to point B to prove your worth to potential new employers?

Write down the steps you will need to take to make your future proud and the problems you might encounter. It is important to be aware and assess your situation objectively to understand how to overcome obstacles. Then go through the list of things you need to do to get closer to your goal. Identify, know and stop worrying about the difficulties you can't control.

Before quitting your job, try to experience what your next job could be. Do you feel better than what you are doing now? Is it worth committing to this change?

What to prepare for a smooth transition? 

Identify transferable skills

Everyone can learn hard skills, but you only need the drive and discipline to make the change. The transferable skills come in a variety of forms. Some skills are aligned with a particular sector, while others are relevant for career changes. 

It is essential to approach the transition with the right mindset, a mixture of confidence and humility, self-awareness and resilience. As a leading recruitment company, our team knows that the ability to learn, adaptability, and ambition is what companies are looking for. Take note of the skills you need to penetrate a new industry and work on acquiring the knowledge to get in. You can include soft skills such as communication, decision-making, teamwork, or adaptability.

I need guidance

"I don't know where to start!", you might say. Antal experts are here to help. You can talk to our network to gain insights about expectations, training, or courses you can do to have the right skills suitable for the new position.

Contact an expert in our network for guidance in developing your career; you should also expand your network of contacts with professionals in the same field. You can either follow Antal International on LinkedIn or get in touch with a recruiter with the needed expertise.

Have you acquired new skills, expanded your network, and are aware of new opportunities? You need to update your CV now. You will have to fulfill several requirements. You can make a list of keywords (action verbs, but also us and terminology). They should be visible. Include the process of learning new skills and how you applied them.