How to change career
Changing career can feel daunting, but it's more common than you might think. The first step is to get clear on why you want to change and what you want to move towards. A vague desire to "do something different" won't carry you through the transition. The more specific your goal, the easier it is to plan for it.
Start by identifying the transferable skills you already have. Communication, project management, problem solving, leadership, and data analysis are valued across almost every industry. Map your existing skills against the requirements of the roles you're interested in, and you'll often find you're closer than you thought.
Fill any gaps through short courses, volunteering, or freelance work. You don't necessarily need a new degree. Many career changers successfully transition by building a portfolio of relevant experience alongside their existing job before making the move.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers. They're available at all levels, from entry-level through to degree-level, and across a wide range of industries including tech, healthcare, finance, and construction.
An apprenticeship combines paid work with structured training, so you earn while you learn. Traineeships are shorter programmes designed to prepare you for an apprenticeship or employment, often lasting between six weeks and six months.
Both options are worth considering if you're entering a new field and want hands-on experience from day one. Search for apprenticeships on Joboru or visit the government's Find an Apprenticeship service for more options.
Getting work experience
Work experience can take many forms: formal placements, volunteering, freelancing, shadowing, or even personal projects. What matters is that it gives you something concrete to talk about in applications and interviews.
If you're struggling to get traditional work experience, think creatively. Volunteer for a charity in a role that uses the skills you want to develop. Take on a freelance project through a platform like Fiverr or Upwork. Start a blog or portfolio that demonstrates your abilities. These all count.
When you include work experience on your CV, focus on what you learned and achieved, not just what you did. Employers want to see that you took initiative and developed relevant skills, regardless of whether you were paid for it.
Upskilling and online learning
The job market is constantly evolving, and the skills employers look for change with it. Upskilling, whether through formal courses or self-directed learning, is one of the best investments you can make in your career.
Free and affordable learning platforms like OpenLearn, FutureLearn, Coursera, and Google Digital Garage offer courses in everything from data analysis to digital marketing to project management. Many of these come with certificates you can add to your CV or LinkedIn profile.
Focus on skills that are in demand in your target industry. If you're not sure what those are, read job descriptions for the roles you want and note which skills come up repeatedly. That's your learning list.
Building a professional network
Networking doesn't have to mean awkward events with name badges. In practice, it's about building genuine relationships with people in your industry. Many jobs are never advertised publicly, so having a strong network can open doors you didn't know existed.
Start with LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is up to date and reflects what you're looking for. Connect with people you've worked with, studied with, or met at events. Engage with content in your industry by commenting thoughtfully on posts and sharing relevant articles.
Don't just reach out to people when you need something. Offer help, share useful information, and congratulate people on their achievements. A network built on genuine goodwill is far more valuable than one built on transactional requests.
Setting career goals
Having clear career goals gives your job search direction and helps you make better decisions about which opportunities to pursue. Without them, it's easy to drift from one role to the next without making real progress.
Start with a long-term vision. Where do you want to be in three to five years? What kind of work do you want to be doing? Then work backwards. What skills, experience, and qualifications do you need to get there? What steps can you take in the next six to twelve months?
Write your goals down and review them regularly. They don't need to be rigid. Life changes, industries shift, and new opportunities appear. The point is to have a sense of direction, not a fixed destination.
