Your Bite-Sized Guide To A Successful Career Switch

One career for life is a thing of the past, especially in today’s fast-changing landscape. In the past, it was typical for a person to stick to only one career path for life, whereas today, most people are likely to go through a few career changes throughout their working lives.

 

People seek career changes for many reasons. It could be a change of values or goals, a newfound passion, or unhappiness at the current job. Deciding to have a career switch can sometimes be nerve-racking, especially if it’s to a new industry where you don’t have much experience. The transition process will be easier if you adopt a positive mindset and are willing to step out of your comfort zone to undergo the relevant training. Making that career switch can possibly allow you to stay employable in the long term and gain new skills in the process.

 

Are you considering a mid career switch? Follow this guide to find out what you can do to ease the transition and increase your chances of success!

 

Consider your options

Firstly, before jumping into something new, you have to be clear about the reason behind this action. Are you unhappy with your current job and feel that you can achieve more? Take some time to think about what you want, your likes and dislikes, your skillsets, and your ideal work environment. Finding the right change for yourself is important. Consider if you are looking for a new job in the same field, a new career in a different industry using transferable skills, or looking for a complete change. Once you identify your ideal job, you can create an action plan.

 

Find out what skills you need

Review job descriptions for the career you want and look out for the skills and qualifications your prospective employers require. List out all your skills and abilities to find out how they can be applied to the field you have chosen. Every industry has its own set of required skills. If you are eyeing a job in a different industry, you might be required to attend courses to build up your skills for the job.

 

Build skills

Take time to build a powerful arsenal of competitive skills that will be important to your new job. Try to focus on skills that are transferable to any career. For example, having managerial experience or technical skills can be useful in a wide range of industries. If you do not have every requirement listed on a job listing, it might be advisable to take some time to equip yourself. Thanks to the internet and many helpful resources such as the MySkillsFuture portal, you can find out about the skills required for your next job move and the relevant skills development courses available.

 

Update your resume

Your resume more often than not determines the first impression employers form of you. It demonstrates your past experiences and current skills and shows what you can bring to a new organisation. Focus on displaying your current skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for, and any examples of work or projects you have participated in that can exemplify your contributions.

 

Conclusion

If you need more help with making a career switch, SkillsFuture Singapore can assist you in your journey with the Skills and Training Advisory (STA). The STA is available to all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, and can offer you a clearer picture of the skills and training that will benefit you, by identifying the skills and training you need to achieve your career goals. Register for a STA session today to speak to our friendly Skills Ambassadors.

 

Credit Sources: The Balance Careers, The Muse

Posted on 17/03/21