04 Jun Thinking of a career change?

The covid-19 pandemic has massively changed our perspectives since arriving in the UK last year. We now cherish what we previously took for granted, and some things that were not important to us before having now become some of our biggest priorities.

One area of our lives that has probably had the biggest shift in perspective is our careers. Our attitudes and priorities when it comes to our careers and job searches have shifted massively, with more and more of us even looking to change career completely. A survey this year has revealed that 9% of people are intending to start a whole new career, which is up from 7% from last year.

Changing your career can be a challenge, especially if you’ve been in your current one a long time. If you’re thinking of changing careers but you’re not sure how here are some of our tips to help you make a start.

Think about what you can offer

The first thing you will need to do is work out how to sell yourself to potential employers. The key to standing out when changing careers is being able to communicate your skills, no matter what your career background is. To do this you will need to have an understanding of how and why you are suitable for your new career.

First of all, make a list of all your stand-out skills and experience. Then look into potential job roles that require these skills and experience, even if it is on a small level.

Make sure that your choices are suitable and that you are being realistic with your current expertise. Some jobs may appear as though they require certain attributes, but actually need something entirely different after a closer look, so make sure your research is thorough.

Consider your finances

This is the of the most important things you need to think about when you are thinking about changing your career. When changing careers, you need to be prepared to potentially be starting from the bottom again. This may also mean taking a pay cut, especially if you have been in your current career a long time.

Do some research into your chosen career and find out what you can expect your salary to be when you first start. This way you will be aware of any differences between this and your current salary, and therefore how much extra you need for a smooth transition. Then make whatever changes you need to in advance before you make your career change; Whether this is by adding to your savings or finding ways to supplement your income when you make your new start.

This may take a while to sort out, meaning you potentially won’t make your career change as soon as you’d like to. However, ensuring you are in the right place financially before making the move will avoid some extra pressure on you as you begin moving into your new career.

Courses and training

Consider what qualifications and training you might need to take to be considered for a position in a new career. Some industries will have mandatory qualification requirements while others will not, so it is important you research your options and understand what training and qualifications you will need.

Even if they are not mandatory for the job, taking part in some training courses or getting a qualification can still have its benefits. Not only will it show potential employers that you are serious about making a career change, but it will give you some industry knowledge that is easily demonstratable too. It may also give you some insight as to what your future could look like in this career and whether it is the right one for you before you take that leap.

Training courses can come in many ways; Part-time, full-time, online distance learning, or on-site training, there is certain to be a programme that suits you and your current schedule. If you don’t have it in your budget to take part in a training course, then online video tutorials and podcasts are great free resources to use to gain some insight into your potential new career. Some prospective employers may even offer to train you on the job (e.g., through an apprenticeship).

It is an age-old problem of needing the experience to get a job but needing a job to get the experience. However, do not be disheartened as experience is not a barrier to entry in some industries. There is currently a skill shortage across industries, with employers being encouraged to take on fresh talent with transferable skills to help fill the gap. As long as you can show a genuine interest in your new industry and a willingness to learn, that may be all you need.

Modify your CV

Before you start applying for new jobs, you will need to modify your CV, so it is suited for the new career you are aiming for. When it comes to changing your career, creating a CV that focuses on skills rather than experience is best.

Make sure you mention the reasons why you want to change your career in your cover letter, then reaffirm this desire in your personal statement. You should also try and include and quantify your achievements that are most transferable to the industry you are looking to get into.

Make sure you are putting a bigger focus on your skills and achievements on your CV before you go on to talk about previous employment. Again, provide examples that are most transferable to the role you are applying for. Soft skills such as problem-solving, management, presentation, adaptability, and interpersonal skills are all transferable skills and are desirable to employers no matter the industry.

After talking about your skills, you can then go on to talk about your employment history. Instead of listing the daily duties of your previous roles, you should emphasise your accomplishments in these roles. This could be anything from hitting targets, recognition for doing your job well, or implementing or learning something new. You can also mention any additional skills you picked up in these jobs if they haven’t been mentioned previously.

Kiwi Recruitment can help you

Registering with Kiwi Recruitment can be hugely beneficial for you if you are looking for a career change. We recruit for a wide variety of industries and our team of recruiters are knowledgeable in the qualifications needed for different roles in different industries, helping you to give an idea of what you need to make the move. We pride ourselves in having in-depth, up to date knowledge of the labour market, meaning we can advise you on the skills currently high in demand to give you your best chances of a new career.

We can also offer short-term, temporary contracts in your new chosen industry. If your experience is lacking then this can be a great way to build up and some skills and experience in the industry, which will put you in a better place when it comes to finding somewhere permanent. Temporary work can also be a great way to test the waters first to see if the job and industry are right for you before you commit to a permanent contract. The contracts are usually short and somewhat flexible, meaning you could fit it around your current job before making the leap.

Our team here at Kiwi Recruitment work with a large number of different companies, big and small, with some of them exclusively using us for their recruitment needs. By signing up to us, you will be getting yourself in front of some companies that you won’t be able to find in your own job searches, increasing your chances of a successful career change.

Use or online form to register with us. Or contact our friendly team today by emailing reception@kiwirecruitment or calling 01243 782763.

Read more articles and news from Kiwi Recruitment here

To keep up to date on all the latest opportunities, follow us on social media; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram