How To Make a Career Change: Essential Steps and Tips

Figuring out how to make a career change involves a complex blend of motivations and challenges. It's often born out of desires for personal growth, financial goals, job satisfaction, or pursuing a lifelong passion.

Yet, transitioning from a familiar professional path to an entirely new one can be an intimidating endeavor.

Below, we’ll discuss essential tips needed to navigate this shift successfully—from identifying your motivations and researching industries and education requirements to preparing for interviews. Whether you're seeking a fresh start or looking to make a lateral move, this guide is designed to empower you with the confidence and strategies to embrace change and achieve your new professional aspirations.

Table of contents

• Recognize the signs it's time for a change
• Research potential new careers
• Upgrade your skills
• Reframe your professional brand
• Prepare for interviews
• Consult with career change experts

1. Recognize the signs it's time for a change

Is your current job leaving you feeling uninspired or unfulfilled? Perhaps you're craving a new challenge, seeking a better work-life balance, or realizing that your company's culture and your personal values are no longer in sync.

Your first step is to recognize the signs that it’s time for a career change. If every workday feels like you're stuck in a time loop that you dread, it's a signal to make a turn for the better. Your hunger for growth and the thirst for fresh challenges are a natural part of evolving in your professional life. Your aspirations and needs may no longer align with your current career or role.

Sometimes people end up following the dreams of their parents rather than believing their own aspirations are achievable and sustainable. Your life direction may have been imposed on you, and you ended up with a job that pays the bills but also leaves you drained day after day. It’s not too late for a course change that benefits whole life fulfillment.

Personal life circumstances also have a way of making people make moves even when life feels almost impossible. Maybe your need for a career change comes at a difficult point in life, such as being a caregiver for a loved one. Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed late in life with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and need a job with flexible hours, and your existing career just isn’t capable of accommodating that. Prioritize your needs as you research; it'll help you find the right fit.

It doesn't matter if you’re making a change of career at 40 or a change of career at 50 or even later in life.

No, you’re not “too old” or “too young” or too much or too little of anything to do this. (You’ve got this. Keep reading.)

2. Research potential new careers

Embracing the power of research becomes your guiding light, illuminating the way to your ideal path forward.

Start by thoroughly researching the job market and potential new roles, identifying your interests. Understand that job titles may not reflect actual roles; responsibilities, culture, benefits, and pay vary by company.

You have to weigh what’s most important to your career when choosing the best industry for you. That means looking at what’s aligned with your goals and work-life balance; monitor trends and consider the long-term job outlook. Industries like technology and remote learning are continually evolving, for example.

Tap into online resources as you research career change ideas. Career assessment tools on websites like LinkedIn (see below) can help you identify suitable career options based on your skills and interests.

Networking strategies

Even if your exposure to a field of interest is limited, networking can open doors you never thought possible. Here are a few ways to approach it:

• Don’t underestimate the value of professional networks: Connect with professionals in your desired field to expand your network. Learn from their experiences and insights through informational interviews. It's not just about whom you know but how they can help you in your journey.
• Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a goldmine for connecting with industry professionals, potential mentors, and job opportunities. Craft a compelling profile to showcase your skills and interests.
• Engage in industry events: Attend industry-specific events, conferences, and seminars to meet people who can inform your career aspirations. These events can lead to valuable insights and connections.
• Make use of alumni associations: Your alma mater can be a powerful network. Join alumni associations to tap into a pool of individuals who have walked diverse career paths. This is a great first step for introverts who feel shy about networking.

Online tools for career exploration

Online tools, such as aptitude tests and career-matching platforms, are like compasses. They can help you navigate the vast landscape of career options and lead you to a role that feels right for you. Aptitude tests assess your strengths and weaknesses while career-matching platforms analyze your preferences and skills to suggest potential roles.

Other tests assess personality, which can be helpful in indicating fit with varied careers. Some experts believe tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are closer in validity to a horoscope than to science. Others note that there’s enough of a basis for such tests to help a person connect more with their sense of self and who they wish to be.

In 1974, John Holland's psychological codes became the foundation of the Strong Interest Inventory, which is built on four key assumptions: Individual interest patterns can be categorized into six General Occupational Themes, job environments align with these themes, people seek environments that match their skills and values, and behavior results from the interplay of personality and the work environment. These six themes are often referred to as the R-I-A-S-E-C order, representing Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional preferences.

A free Interest Profiler based on Holland’s research is offered by the U.S. Department of Labor—its model asks 60 questions about different work activities people may do on their jobs. Once finished, you can plug in your score and continue the job search for related careers.

You can also take the free Holland Code Career Test offered by Truity. This test also has 60 questions and provides interest profiles in categories of building, thinking, creating, helping, persuading, and organizing. Truity offers additional tests on its website, including the MBTI and other personality tests.

Here are a few additional tools that may help with career matching:

• mySkills myFuture: Enter a current or past job title in the search field to find roles that make use of similar skills. The site also includes helpful information like salary range and education requirements.
• Work Values Matcher: In this quick card sort exercise, you rank 20 statements about your ideal job to gain valuable insights into how your choices relate to these six core work values: achievement, independence, recognition, relationships, support, and working conditions. You’ll discover careers that resonate with your personal work values and learn how to identify a workplace that aligns with your values.
• LinkedIn Career Explorer: This tool uses data from over 900 million member profiles, considering how members use the platform based on their profession, culture, and accessibility. To identify popular job transitions, it examines changes in job history. The tool also calculates job similarity based on important skills and identifies additional skills needed for desired jobs.

Pay attention to what you’re naturally drawn to, as well. As you look at available roles on sites like Indeed or LinkedIn, note titles and duties that appeal to you—as well as those that don’t. Use the tools above to try searching titles and tasks you haven’t yet considered. It’s also helpful to ask friends, colleagues, and mentors about your strong skills. You may have underestimated just how much your enthusiasm or other skills have made a big impact!

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3. Upgrade your skills

Roles that have similar skills as your existing job may make for easy career changes that pay well. However, elevating your skills is a pivotal step in your career change journey and could increase your viability as a candidate. Start by identifying the gaps in your current skill set. What skills does your desired career demand that you may not have?

Look for opportunities to acquire these skills. Consider the value of certifications, online courses, and workshops in bridging those gaps.

Online learning platforms

Online learning platforms are excellent resources for skill enhancement. Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are a few examples of platforms that offer a plethora of courses.

Select courses based on the skills required in your desired career. If you’re pursuing a digital marketing role, you may be interested in an online certification program. Many respected universities, like Cornell and MIT, offer online certification courses that cost a few thousand dollars, are self-paced, and are typically completed in as little as a few dozen hours or as long as 24 months.

Many companies are more interested in what your portfolio of work says about your demonstrable skills than where you were instructed. However, you should still research the educational paths that various leaders in the industry have taken—i.e. how did those you admire arrive at their destination?

Prioritize courses directly related to your target career. Look for those taught by industry experts and with practical applications.

Local training opportunities

Don't overlook local options for skill development. Enrolling in courses at a community college can be cost-effective and provide valuable skills. Many universities offer continuing education options, such as bootcamps in data analysis or certificates for starting a nonprofit.

Depending on the industry, you may qualify for an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships.gov is a handy resource supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor. Other countries may have similar resources available, so check your government website. You might propose the possibility of being an apprentice in place of an intern where opportunities may not yet be available. If you’re changing your career, don’t be afraid to carve out your opportunity.

Also, joining professional associations offers both networking opportunities and chances to learn from experienced peers. This can be an invaluable resource during your career transition.

4. Reframe your professional brand

Revamping your professional brand is key to a successful career change. It involves aligning your personal brand with your new career aspirations. If you don’t have direct experience in an industry of interest, your resume and cover letter are the most important tools for demonstrating your ability to succeed in a new career. Learn how to tailor your application materials for switching careers and how to reframe your professional image on social media below.

Application tips for career changers

When transitioning to a new career, your resume and cover letter play a pivotal role. Address potential concerns, such as a lack of direct experience, by structuring your resume to emphasize accomplishments and abilities that bridge the gap. Here are some strategies to highlight your qualifications effectively:

• Use a career change statement: A career change statement introduces you to the hiring manager and adds a personal touch to your application, allowing you to express your career change goals and why you're a fit for the role. For example, "I'm writing to express my interest in the Social Work Professor position at Sanderson College, leveraging my clinical background to mentor aspiring social workers in an educational setting." This can be easily adjusted to use as an objective statement on your resume if no cover letter is needed.
• Don’t overreach: A lawyer moving into sales can note winning cases and the ability to make strong arguments. However, it would be unreasonable to say you’ve “basically managed a sales team.”
• Demonstrate your impact: Don’t downplay your past achievements or dismiss them as irrelevant. Leverage concrete data and facts to showcase your contributions within each job listed on your resume. Here’s an example: "Increased sales revenue by 20% within the first quarter through the implementation of a targeted marketing campaign, resulting in a $100,000 boost in profits."
• Fill in the gaps: Taking classes, volunteering, and freelancing are all activities you can include in your resume to fill in awkward work gaps. It’s especially beneficial if these ventures are related to your target field.
• Use time to your advantage: Avoid listing college graduation years only if you have at least 10 years of professional work experience. Don’t leave dates off because of worries of age discrimination, though that unfortunately sometimes happens. If so, it wasn’t the right fit. Your resume should focus on the skills and experience you bring to the role. If you’ve recently completed a certification, do list the date; be consistent in the information shared.
• Keep it simple: Don’t incorporate fancy fonts or designs. Use a clean and consistent design and structure. Put the most important information at the top of your resume, like your career change statement. Limit job role information and accomplishments to three to five bullet points. Reflect the targeted job description in your resume and application, as relevant.

Reframe your application materials to align with your new career goal. Showcase relevant skills and experiences that demonstrate your readiness for the transition.

When a cover letter is requested, craft targeted cover letters that communicate your passion for the new field and how your background uniquely qualifies you.

Personal branding on social media

Your online presence matters; building a strong personal brand is an ideal way to set yourself apart—but in the right context. Maintain a uniform and professional image across social media platforms to reinforce your new career identity.

Don’t have much of a professional social media presence? You don’t have to post content every day to attract the right attention to your profile. Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects your new career direction, emphasizing your transferable skills and aspirations:

• Upload a new professional headshot
• Make sure you’re Open to Work, and yes, you can specify the type of work and who sees it
• Rewrite your headline in a way that maximizes your value proposition
• Update your job duties to reflect transferable skills and measurable impact
• Write about your journey

Interact with industry influencers and join relevant groups to stay updated, as well as make meaningful connections in your desired career field. Add a relevant comment to a post as it inspires you. Follow your dream companies and subscribe to industry newsletters.

5. Prepare for interviews

Preparing for interviews during a career change involves anticipating questions related to the shift and effectively showcasing passion, adaptability, and transferable skills. You can even use generative AI to help identify likely questions for your chosen career. It’s helpful to practice interviews with a mentor in the field or perhaps with a career coach—or you can video record yourself.

Keep your story consistent, both in your cover letter and resume and during the interview. When interviewing, you might be asked about your future career goals, which is a way for the interviewer to gauge your commitment to the company. To tackle these questions effectively, it's a smart move to jot down your goals beforehand. Then, you’ll be able to provide clear and straightforward answers with confidence.

When asked why you're changing careers, be prepared to articulate your motivation and enthusiasm for the new field. For example, if you're transitioning from finance to marketing, you can discuss how your passion for storytelling and creativity led you to pursue a role where you can apply these skills to help businesses thrive.

Share example experiences with the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase your ability to adapt to new challenges or technologies in a previous role. Here's how to structure your response:

• Situation: Begin by providing context and background information about what was happening
• Task: Explain your role and responsibilities in the given situation
• Action: Describe the specific actions you took, emphasizing the relevant skills the interviewer is likely interested in
• Result: Share the outcome, highlighting how you would approach a similar situation differently if lessons were learned

Emphasize transferable skills like project management or data analysis that can benefit your prospective employer in the new context.

In what context can your skills help the company further its goals? Do your research regarding company history, stakeholders, movers and shakers in the company, services, and products. Investigate competitors and new industry trends. Have you seen similar scenarios in your industry that you can apply some outside-the-box thinking to during the interview?

Preparing compelling examples for these aspects can make a strong case for your candidacy during interviews. It never hurts to follow up with a gracious thank-you note after the interview.

Common interview questions for switchers

When changing careers, you may face interview questions that target why you are making a change, including:

• What motivated you to make a career change at this point in your life?
• How do your current skills and experiences align with the requirements of this new role?
• Can you provide an example of a project or situation from your previous career that demonstrates your adaptability and ability to learn quickly?
• What steps have you taken to prepare for this career change, such as acquiring new certifications or skills?
• How do you plan to transfer your knowledge and expertise from your previous career into this new field?
• What challenges do you anticipate in transitioning to this new career, and how do you plan to overcome them?
• What do you find most exciting about this new career path, and how does it align with your long-term goals?

Share why this career change makes sense for you, aligning your past experiences with your future goals and plans for continuing education.

For technical roles, you’ll also run into assessments and questions that test your knowledge. Your new education and “old” experience can be fused together to demonstrate your ability to succeed in a new field.

Selling transferable skills

Identifying and emphasizing skills that are valuable in any industry is one key way to target a new role in your career search. Showcase skills that are transferable across industries, demonstrating their relevance to your new career. Most soft skills, such as creativity and time management, are transferable skills, but particular roles prioritize certain skills over others. You’re more likely to use creativity in a digital marketing role than in a data entry role.

In contrast, hard or technical skills might not readily appear as transferable and may require additional research into the specific job or industry. If you once managed a restaurant but are now pursuing engineering, you might not immediately recognize that your budgeting experience could be a valuable transferable skill. This skill could prove beneficial in a project management role that involves budget considerations.

Find strategic ways to connect your previous experiences to the requirements of your future roles. Suppose you're moving from sales to marketing. You can highlight how your customer-centric skills, market awareness, and communication abilities from your sales background are directly applicable to marketing roles. This demonstrates the transferability of your past experiences to your new job.

6. Consult with career change experts

Figuring out how to make a career change can be a complex endeavor, often filled with uncertainty and questions. That's where the guidance of career change experts can prove invaluable. These professionals have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the intricate path of transitioning to a new field. They can provide personalized advice, offer insights into industry trends, and help you develop a tailored strategy for your career change.

Whether you're looking to completely change industries or pivot within your current field, consulting with experts can significantly increase your chances of success. They can assist in identifying transferable skills, crafting an effective resume, and preparing for interviews in your new desired role.

Not only can Upwork connect you with career counselors, but our platform can provide you with access to freelance work opportunities related to your target field. You can gain practical experience and build a portfolio that will be valuable during your career transition. We’re happy to help you embark on your exciting journey toward a new career path.