According to the latest market research, “56% of workers are planning to seek new job opportunities in 2025.”
This means that if you’re considering this option, you’re going to be met with harsh competition from the get-go. However, this does not mean that you should not take the risk and embark on this path. After all, changing careers can bring forth a range of benefits, from improving your work-life balance to increasing your earning potential (to name just a few).
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some top tips for navigating a career change in 2025.
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Have a clear timeline in mind. While you may be counting down the days until you can hand in your notice, the chances are that you cannot change careers overnight. For example, there are certain steps you’ll need to take ahead of time to prepare for this transition, especially if you need to gain some additional qualifications.
As such, you should start this process by thinking about how much time you’ll need to set yourself up for success when changing careers. In the cases where additional studies are not required, it could be that you need to save up money to support yourself during the transition period, especially if you are taking on an entry-level role, which means your salary will be lower than you are used to.
Start with a side hustle.
If you know that you’re unhappy in your career but aren’t sure which direction you’d like to head in, you can ‘test the waters’ by trying out a few different side hustles or volunteering roles. This will help you to refine your vision of what your ‘ideal’ career may be moving forward so that you feel more confident in your decision to make the switch.
This also takes some of the pressure off your shoulders, as it means that you do not have to quit your current job until you feel ready to do so.
Seek out new role-specific qualifications.
As mentioned above, the chances are that you’ll need to add new qualifications to your CV in order to change your career. For example, if you want to become a pilates instructor, you’ll need a Level 3 Mat Pilates qualification or Level 3 Reformer Pilates Qualification to get started. This will ensure that you are suitably prepared for a career within this industry while also giving you an edge over other applicants who may be applying for the same roles.
Think about your transferable skills.
Fortunately, starting a new career does not mean that you’re starting from scratch. In fact, you’ll likely have developed a host of transferable skills throughout your working life that will prove to be advantageous when job hunting. This includes:
- Leadership/ teamwork skills
- Negotiation and communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability
- Time management and organization skills
- Computer/technology skills
Enhance your resume.
Before you start applying for new jobs, it’s time to show your resume/CV some TLC. While you should be sure to highlight any relevant qualifications and training, you should also focus on transferable skills. After all, they are what will make you an asset to the team, even if this is an industry in which you have little (or no) previous experience.
You should also be sure to alter your resume slightly each time you apply to a new role, ensuring that it features the keywords/keyword phrases outlined in the job description itself. This is because it ensures that your application will bypass any applicant tracking systems that are used to weed out underqualified candidates while also demonstrating your suitability for the role.
On a similar note, you should also make sure that you upgrade your LinkedIn profile during this time. After all, “97% of HR and staffing professionals use LinkedIn in their recruiting efforts,” which means that your presence on this platform can increase your chances of getting hired as quickly as possible. It’s also a great networking tool, as you can use this platform to reach out to others working within the industry to ask for advice, support, and guidance. If you’ve never used LinkedIn before, treat this as your sign to set up a strong profile.
Believe in yourself.
Believing in yourself is key to succeeding in any career. However, it is particularly important when moving into a new industry. After all, you’ll otherwise find that you’re too overcome with feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome to make any real progress. As such, you should do whatever it takes to boost your confidence before applying for new roles or attending any interviews. Remember, the way in which you believe in yourself impacts how others perceive you, too!
Confidence is particularly important if you are opting to launch your own business. This is because you’ll have to back yourself in order to get others to take a chance on you, whether that’s investors or potential customers.
Surround yourself with your biggest champions.
While, ultimately, your ability to believe in yourself will shape the trajectory of your career, surrounding yourself with your biggest champions can prove to be useful during this time. After all, it means that whenever you’re having a bad day or battling self-doubt, you can turn to them for support and guidance.
For example, they could encourage you to hit “send” on an application that you feel you’d be a right fit for or even send potential options your way if you are struggling with the job search. However, in order to get the most out of your support network, you need to be sure that you actually open up to them. After all, keeping your feelings to yourself will not help, especially if you feel as though you’d benefit from talking them through with others.
Be prepared to change your lifestyle a little.
As mentioned above, changing your career often means taking a pay cut – though it can increase your earning potential over time. After all, while you may currently have a more senior role, this transition means that you’ll need to climb the ladder all over again. In addition to this, your working hours or routines may also be subject to change.
As such, you should be prepared to make adjustments to your lifestyle in addition to your career. For example, it could be that you need to become more budget-savvy during this time so that you can fund this transition. Remember, living on a budget does not mean that you have to stop having fun, you just need to be slightly smarter with how you spend your money.
Consider working with a careers coach.
Whether you’re struggling with the job search or simply are not sure which route you’d like to pursue moving forward, then you may want to work with a careers coach. They’ll be able to provide you with expert guidance and support that ensures that you’re on the right track, allowing you to find fulfillment in your career and reduce the amount of time you find searching for your next role.
In addition to this, they’ll be able to provide you with insight into ways in which you can enhance your CV or resume in order to gain as much traction as possible. For example, it could be that you’re dealing with issues with formatting or phrasing as opposed to the actual content itself.
Perfect your interview skills.
While being invited to attend an interview is an achievement within itself (only 2% of candidates make it this far), many people find that they crumble under pressure when they come face-to-face with an interviewer. As such, working on honing and perfecting your interview skills ahead of time can ensure that you feel as prepared and confident as possible.
For example, you could start by researching common interview questions and pre-planning or rehearsing your responses to them. You should also read the job description carefully, ensuring that you can find as many examples as possible of how you can/will fulfill the job specifications. Remember, the more practical examples you have to back yourself up in this regard, the better. For example, it’s far better to say, “I’m a great leader because I’ve managed a team of 4 beforehand,” than to say, “I have leadership skills.”
Final thoughts.
In short, there are many steps that you can take that will allow you to change careers in 2025 – no matter your intentions for doing so. From working with a careers coach to refining and enhancing your CV as much as possible, the opportunities are endless.
As such, if you’ve been considering taking the plunge for some time or you’re unhappy with your career as it is, there’s no better time than the present to get started. After all, if you look for an excuse to delay this process, you’ll always find one – but you’ll never achieve your goals if you are constantly putting them off!
Furthermore, putting in the effort to enact change now means that by this time next year, you’ll already feel relatively confident in your new role.
