Changing your professional life is scary. The idea sounds exciting but taking that leap of faith to change your professional life is hard. Specifically if you don’t want to start from scratch, which is usually the desire. Changing your professional life without starting from scratch, without proofing yourself yet again in the new organization, going through your CV, updating your social media profiles, and talking to people.
You already possess transferable skills, experiences, and connections that can serve as a foundation for your new job search or even your business. Yes, this is true.
Check out our free resources: Knowledge Boosters
Shift Your Career Path in 8 Steps
This guide provides tangible and actionable steps for changing your professional life without starting from scratch.
1. Reflect on your Why
What is a compelling reason to change your professional life? What makes this desire so essential for you? Let me help you with some points:
- Do the values of the organization not resonate with you?
- Are you looking for better financial opportunities?
- Is your work-life balance suffering?
- Did the workplace become toxic?
- Do You feel not seen, recognized, or rewarded?
Knowing your motivations and writing them down will make it easier for you to find a profession or organization that matches your ideal career.
2. Inventory of your skills
A career change does not mean you need to abandon your existing skills. On the contrary, it means that you can leverage your skills and experiences acquired over the years. Some ideas to use as a springboard:
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Leadership
- Project Management
- Building strong relationships
- Data Analysis
Above are only a few examples. Some questions to ask yourself:
- What do I like to do? Which skills do I use?
- What Feed Forward did I receive constantly from my peers and supervisors?
- Which of my skills are applicable across different industries?
You have many skills that are crucial for any job type. Let’s illustrate:
If you are a project manager in construction, you can easily move to event planning, as you have the skills of budgeting and organization. Think broad and open your horizon. Don’t limit yourself. Make a list, write it down, and match them to the professions or industries you want to move in.
3. Research on new opportunities
Once you have done your homework above, it is time to research and look for data and information. Which companies do you want to work for? What are the typical job titles needed with your skills?
- Conduct informal interviews with professionals who are working in that field.
- Check out online learning portals, such as LinkedIn and Coursera, for acquiring industry-specific knowledge.
4. Fill the gaps
This brings us to assessing what is your skill and knowledge gap.
- What certifications are needed for the profession you want to move in?
- Volunteer in any organization, whether nonprofit or not, to gain insights and experience.
- Finding side projects, helping a start-up, acting as an advisory board, or supporting digital marketing efforts are ways to get to know the industry better and understand what is needed.
5. Personal brand revived
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile, CV, and elevator pitch to align with your new goals and profession is essential.
This is the most challenging part for my clients. Not knowing how to summarise your skills in the famous LinkedIn tagline, highlight your professional profile on your CV, and introduce yourself with impact during networking events.
This is the reason why career coaches can be invaluable.
6. Analyse your network
Your professional network is the most essential tool when changing your professional life. Check out my networking wheel, which outlines whom you know directly and how you know who they might be in your closer or wider network. Mobilize them, contact them, and ask. At the same time, be transparent, not asking for a job immediately.
Balanced communication is key.
7. Your Mindset
It all starts in your thoughts. Visualize how it will look, feel, and sound like to be in the ideal professional life and move easily into it. Once your brain starts to think how easy it will be and you see yourself already there, it will believe you and open the doors for you. Patience, consistency, and determination are key. Never give up. It might take longer than you expect. In the end, though, you will be rewarded with the profession you are passionate about.
Setbacks will happen. Embrace them. Remember: Try fast, fail fast, and learn fast.
At the same time, celebrate yourself for each step you take and for any interview you have, regardless of its positive or negative outcome.
8. Take action
From nothing comes nothing. Quit often; the unknown is the reason we fear taking a step forward. However, the price you pay for not taking action is high, as you are living a professional life that is not fulfilling. Do you really want to continue like that?
Go back to the first point and understand your reasoning.
- Set yourself micro goals
- Be organized and disciplined
- Put the steps into your calendar
- Celebrate each step taken
- And if you cannot take that step as life comes our way, make sure to do it the week after
Final Thoughts
Changing your professional life without starting from scratch is possible and is a journey of growth and self-discovery. Committing to be a lifelong student, understanding your worth and your skills, and being proud of what you have achieved and brought to the table are the lessons you will learn on this journey. Also, all the opportunities that you might have, the increase in salary, or the job title you are looking for.
Remember, job transition is a marathon and not a sprint.
Remember that you evolve, and your career aspirations change with time. Follow your vocation and your career dreams.
“Whatever the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve.” – my Favorite quote from “Napoleon Hill”.
In case you have difficulties finding that fire in yourself, as InnKick, we kick you to find your inner self. Sometimes we just need a nudge from outside to start feeling empowered.