• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Start Here
  • Work with David
  • Our Services
  • Contact
Young Adult Money

Make more. Save more. Live better.

  • Blog
  • Credit Cards
    • Rewards
    • Cash Back
    • Travel
    • Airlines
    • Hotels
    • Balance Transfer
    • Student
    • Business
  • FREE Budget Spreadsheet
  • FREE Student Loan Spreadsheet
This Just In... Check out the latest travel rewards credit card offers

8 Things You Should Do if You’re Considering a Career Change

By Rachel Slifka / Last updated: October 26, 2020 / Careers, How To, Lifestyle, Make Money, Millennials

We may receive compensation from companies mentioned within this post via affiliate links. Read our full advertiser disclosure. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Pin40
Share
Tweet
Email
Buffer
Share
40 Shares

Considering a career change? It is a big decision and there is a lot to consider. Here are 8 things you should do if you are considering a career pivot.Considering making the switch to a new career?

There are many reasons why people choose to change careers. Maybe you’re looking for a new challenge, more career growth, better pay, or fewer hours, to name a few.

Regardless of your reason, a career change is a big decision. Here are 8 things you should do if you’re considering a major career change.

 

1) Understand Your Why

 
Before you dive right in with a job search, it’s important to understand why you are looking to switch careers. What do you hope a new career has that your current one doesn’t?

While it may be tempting to believe the grass is definitely greener in a new career, that might not be the case. So, why are you truly considering a new career?

Here are some reasons you may be looking to switch careers:

  • You want more room for growth
  • You are planning on moving to a different geographic location and need to pivot
  • You want to work in a field with more pay
  • You want a consistent paycheck versus commission
  • You want to work more regular hours
  • You need something with more flexibility

The reason you want to switch careers doesn’t matter to anyone but you. Switching careers is challenging, so clinging to your “why” is the motivation you will need to carry you through.

 

2) Take Stock of Your Skillset

 
Next, take inventory of your current skills and experiences. How could they transfer to a new career?

Chances are, not every skill you currently use will be necessary in a new career. But many skills, such as project planning, communication, public speaking, and more, are in-demand, no matter what career you choose.

This is also a good time to consider any additional credentials you may need to get you where you want to be. Don’t’ forget to evaluate the time and money required to obtain such a credential.

 

3) Evaluate Potential Barriers

 
Career pivots are common, but they aren’t always the most obvious things to potential employers. Chances are, no one is going to get it at first, so it’s up to you to connect the dots in order to land your first gig in your new career.

In order to do this, think about what questions a future employer will have about your experience. What won’t make sense to them? How can you bridge the gap for them?

Most importantly, barriers will happen. It’s inevitable. So don’t let yourself get down when you encounter one. You can anticipate some resistance to your career change, and plan accordingly ahead of time.

 

4) Consider the Pay and Lifestyle

 
When envisioning a new career, it’s easy to view the future with rose colored glasses. You can see yourself working your dream job, with dream hours and pay. WHile it’s certainly not impossible to find all three of these characteristics in a new career, oftentimes, one comes at the expense of another.

For instance, a corporate attorney may earn a hefty paycheck, but the billable hours may be killer. On the other hand, a regular 9-5 may not pay as well, but the hours are much more palatable.

It is totally possible to find a career with balance, so make sure you are holding out for the right field that works for you and your lifestyle.

 

5) Get First or Second Hand Experience

 
Next step – get experience in your new career of choice.

Ideally, you can set it up to shadow someone in your new career. However, if you are currently working crazy hours, this might not be realistic. If that’s the case, then second-hand experience is certainly better than nothing.

To get second-hand job experience, ask to meet with professionals in your new career. Ask them questions about what a day-in-the-life is like for them at work. You can even ask if they have any projects they’d be willing to let you volunteer for.

Experience is vital to making sure you love your new career before you take the leap. If you can get experience of any sort, you’ll find you will be much more confident while executing your career pivot.

 

6) Research Companies

 
Sure, a job in a new career might sound cool, but before you switch, it’s vital to know what type of companies you could expect to work for.

Are there job openings in your field in your area? Are they companies you’d be excited to work with in the future? Do they pay well? Do they have solid reviews from other employees?

Doing your research before you switch careers will ensure you have job prospects in the future. After all, what good is switching careers if you can’t find a job in that field?

 

7) Consider the Timing

 
Is now a good time to switch careers? Do you have the time and energy to dedicate to the learning curve of navigating a new career?

Changing careers is a big commitment, and will require more of your energy than you may realize at first. Make sure the timing works for you and your family so you can ensure their full support behind you.

 

8) Start a Side Hustle

 
Lastly, if you’re not quite ready to dive head first into a new career, consider starting a side hustle.

A side hustle is a great way to learn new skills firsthand, and try out a job before you commit to making the switch full-time. For example, if you’ve considered switching to the field of teaching, you can tutor on the side to get a feel for it before you leave your day job.

And beside the experience, side hustling can give you entrance into a vast network of professionals in your field. Who knows? You may just meet someone who can open up the door you need to enter a new career!

 
Related:
 

  • How to Find a New Job During COVID
  • I Hate My Job But I Have Student Loans – What Should I Do?
  • 10+ Productive Things to Do If You Are Bored at your Corporate Job

Check out some of our favorite personal finance resources:

Are you getting the best credit card rewards? Check out the top cash back credit card offers (updated daily)

Make extra money: 15 ways to make money from your computer

  • Get our FREE Automated Budget Spreadsheet and our Student Loan Spreadsheet

Get the First Chapter Free!

Student Loan Solution Cover - 3D

Join our online community and get the first chapter of the book Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE!

Pin40
Share
Tweet
Email
Buffer
Share
40 Shares

Rachel Slifka

Rachel Slifka is a freelance writer and human resources professional. She is passionate about helping fellow millennials find success with their finances and careers. Read more by checking out her website at RachelMSlifka.com.
Connect:

Comments Policy

Comments, responses, and other user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by this site or our advertisers. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by this website or its advertisers. It is not the responsibility of advertisers or this website to ensure that all comments and/or questions are answered. With all that being said, please comment away!

Primary Sidebar

Credit Cards

  • Best Travel Rewards Cards
  • Best Balance Transfer Cards
  • Best Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Best Business And Side Hustle Credit Cards
  • Best Student Credit Cards

Start a Blog:

How to Start a Blog that Makes Money
 

Top Posts

  • 15 Ways You Can Make Money From Your Computer Right Now
  • When You Should and Shouldn’t Refinance Student Loans
  • How Much Money You Will Need to Make $1,000 in Dividends

Free Spreadsheets & Downloads

  • Free Automated Budget Spreadsheet
  • Student Loan Repayment Spreadsheet
  • The Ultimate Personal Finance Checklist
  • 401k Spreadsheet to Analyze your Options
  • Wedding Budget Spreadsheet
  • 52 Week Money Challenge Spreadsheet and Printable

First Chapter Free!

Join our online community and receive the first chapter of Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE.

If you don't see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

Connect:

Categories:

Search:

Get the New Book!

Student Loan Solution: 5 Steps to Take Control of Your Student Loans and Financial Life is available on Amazon by clicking here, or by clicking on the graphic below.

Make more. Save more. Live better.

Site Directory:

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Recommendations
  • Finance Tools
  • Credit Cards
  • Insurance
  • Banking
  • Investing

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Feedback? Questions?
Contact us and let us know what you think.

Connect:

Search This Site:

Copyright © 2012–2024 Young Adult Money, LLC / All Rights Reserved
Designed by LizTheresa.com / Developed by Nuts and Bolts Media

Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}