The Pros and Cons of Changing Career

It’s never too late to change careers, and the sooner you start working towards training for your new job, the better, as a career change usually means some form of retraining or upskilling. Gaining the skills, knowledge, and certificates required for a career change takes time, so it’s best to allow yourself the time needed to get fully trained up for your new job.

Are you looking for a new job? You may find our tips on starting a new job useful to help you get started and settled in quickly.

What is a career change?

A career change does not just refer to finding a new job. It typically means that you are changing the work you do and the industry you work in. For many, this is a big change that requires time and effort to successfully change careers.

How to get into work after a career break

Reasons why people change careers

There are a few reasons why people consider a career change at all ages and experience levels. For some, they outgrow the role. They have progressed as far as they can and now seek a new challenge. For others, it may be a logistical or relationship issue within the workplace. There are also financial reasons why people look for a change. There are a few industries like Cyber Security that offer the possibility of a significant salary increase. You could move from your current job into a role like an Ethical Hacker and earn a higher current salary.  

We have outlined a few of the main reasons below:

• Bored/Unhappy
• Relationship issues in the workplace
• Culture clash
• Want to earn more money
• Hitting the “glass ceiling”/No career progression
• Looking for a change of pace
• Want to try something new  

Pros of changing career

So, what are the benefits of changing careers? Whether you have been in your current job role for a few months, or you are a 30-year veteran in your industry, there are a few pros to consider a career change, especially if you’re unhappy, unappreciated, or looking for a change of pace.

These include:

Reducing stress levels – A new job and change of scenery can be just the thing you need to clear your mind and refocus your efforts.

Earning potential increases – Often a role change can result in higher earnings because of the additional responsibilities you take on, or you move into a higher-paying role/industry.   

Reduction in commuting times – You can be more selective about the job you move into next, based on your location and where you wish to work.

Improvements to work-life balance – Being able to choose which industry you want to move into can help you select a role that enables a healthy work-life balance.

Character growth – As a person, this type of change can help you grows as an individual and build strong character.

Learn more – The training you would undertake to upskill or retrain, will often mean you are studying to work towards passing exams and earning your certificates.  

Follow your passion – You may not be working in an industry that you’re passionate about, which a career change can rectify.

Cons of changing career

While an excellent choice in the main, a career change does have some drawbacks to be considered before you commit to change.

These include:

Competition – With a career change comes competing for job roles that you are new to. The job process might have changed since you were last looking, and you will need to adapt to this new format. Read our Interview Tips and Common Interview questions and answers articles for help in these areas.   

Your commitment could be questioned – Future employers may question your commitment if your changing jobs. That said, unlike leaving one job to apply for a similar one because you have been there for a while, a career change is often regarded differently and in a positive light. 

Security – You are likely leaving a job role where you know your business, clients, and competitors inside out. You will sit at your desk with different confidence in your new role, but in time that will change, and you will get that knowledge and confidence back. There are also finance securities to consider, as you will most likely have to pass your probation again, but this is the same everywhere. 

Career progression reset – As someone new to the industry, you are likely to be required to start from somewhere closer to the bottom of the ladder. That said, you will have many transferable skills that can help you throughout this transfer. Just be prepared to work hard to progress into more senior roles again, and you’ll be fine. 

Things could be worse – You would not be the first person to change jobs and then look back and miss what you used to have. That said, if you are firm in your decision to move, your focus is likely to be aligned to a more positive future.  

Tips when training for a new career

How to go about changing careers  

If you’re looking for a career change, your first step is to have a really good think about which industry you want to work in now, and what you would like to do for work. Think about where you would be happy to work long-term, as you will be starting all over again and working your way up. Many industries like Cyber Security offer the chance to leave your current job role and earn a significantly higher salary. If you don’t know where to start, have a read through some of our ‘How to become a…’ Career Advice articles for inspiration. 

Once you know what you would like to do for work, you will most likely need to retrain to gain the knowledge and skills required to show your interviewer you can carry out the tasks outline in your job description.   

We offer a wide range of industry-recognised qualifications, across a wide range of sectors, to help you train for a career in your chosen field, including:

• Accounting & Bookkeeping
• Business Analysis
• Cloud Computing
• Cyber Security
• Digital Marketing
• Financial Services
• Football
• Health, Safety & Compliance

Networking & IT

Project & Lean Management

Conclusion

Deciding to change careers can be a daunting experience. If you’re considering the change but are unsure how to get started, contact one of our Career Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700, and they will be happy to discuss your career goals and suitable training options for you.