The thought of changing your career always brings uncertainty and anxiety. “Should I leave my well-paid job during an economic recession? What if I need to start from scratch?”—these thoughts loomed over the mind of mid-career changers, instilling hesitation and fear. Unlike the young people in their 20s who can get back up after a fall with no serious repercussions, mid-career changers have far more responsibilities and far heavier consequences to bear.
The mounting cost of education for your children, healthcare of your elderly parents and the burden of paying off the loans and mortgages; it is a scary thought to leave the comfort of your well-paying job for the sake of change. But what if you are tired of your current job? The corporate politics and toxic work culture, you have seen it all. You desire for new challenges and a new conducive environment that will make you happy. Perhaps, now is the perfect time to seek change. The question is, are you prepared?
Be financially prepared
Ideally, you should save up at least 6 months of expenses before you go job hunting. Additionally, a new career would often mean you have to start from the bottom and work your way up again, a reset if you will. However, if you think the career of your dreams is worth the salary trade-off and it makes you happy, you will need to readjust your lifestyle and expenses. Oftentimes, this would mean you need to reassess your financial responsibilities—from your child’s tuition fees, household expenses or the luxury family vacation you have planned. It is important to have a transparent and honest discussion with your spouse and family on the impact of your career change.
What do you want from your new career
Perhaps the first question that pops up in your mind, “What can your new career offer you that your pre-existing one could not?” Is it the company culture and values that you are personally aligned with? The flexible working hours instead of the typical 9 to 5 job? Or is it the fact that you want to have the creative freedom to explore intriguing ideas? Regardless of the reasons, you should properly plan ahead where you see yourself in the next few years and evaluate whether it’s worth switching to a new career. Do your research and talk with industry professionals to get a better insight. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that your dream job might not be what you envisioned after all.
Do you have the relevant skills for your new career?
If you desire a career unrelated to your field of expertise, you might need to invest some time into attaining a degree or taking online courses for the relevant industry. For one, rather than just stating very general skills you have on your resume, change your strategy and learn new skills that you can make use of in the new job. This not only provides you with relevant knowledge, but it will also signal to employers that you are serious about your career switch despite your lack of experience in the industry. In other words, you are making a statement that you are worth their investment. If you are eager to switch into a new career that is drastically different from your current one, it is recommended to take online courses such as Skillsfuture and Coursera.
How much are you willing to sacrifice for your new career
We briefly mentioned that finding a new job will mean lowering salary expectations. This can feel like a frustrating step backwards and would force you and your family to make all kinds of uncomfortable adjustments. What is important is to be able to accept that these “downgrades” are contributing to your desire and passion for your new career. Arguably, that could also mean you are spending more of your time to build up networking and making new connections with people in your industry and less time for yourself or your loved ones. It is crucial to ask yourself, “How far am I willing to make the career of my dreams work and is it worth it?”
Update your resume
The career you desire is within your sight. The question is, how would you snag it before others do? When was the last time you updated your resume? Are the skills listed relevant to the industry you want to work in? Ensure that every achievement and accomplishment you achieve throughout your career is listed; adding value to your resume is the best way to sell yourself to your employers. Besides, the resume helps recruiters to understand how they can transfer the skill sets you have obtained from your previous job into your new one.
A mid-career switch is a terrifying thought, and many are afraid to take the first step despite being unhappy with their current job. At KWO, we believe in taking the leap of faith if it means we get to work in an environment where we feel appreciated and valued. If you seek a meaningful career that has a wonderful company culture, flexible working hours and allows you to be in charge of your future, come and join us today!