Whether you want to maximise your income, create a better work-life balance, or rediscover your sense of purpose at work, you’re not alone in contemplating a pivot in your professional life with CIPD data indicating that 2 million people in the UK changed careers in 2023. (source: Sci Tech today) Making a career change can be one of the most rewarding things you can do for your happiness and future, although it can also feel daunting.
In this blog, I’ll show you seven practical steps to boost your motivation and start taking action toward a new chapter in your career starting today.
Is a Career Change Worth It?
Absolutely, if you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or simply curious about what else is out there, a career change can bring huge benefits. It’s not just about getting a new job; it’s about aligning your work with what matters most to you.
While change always involves some risk and uncertainty, most people who take the leap report higher job satisfaction, renewed energy, and even improved health and wellbeing. Yes, it can feel challenging, but the rewards personally and professionally are often more than worth it.
7 Practical Steps to Start Your Career Change
Step 1: Scale Your Current Level of Satisfaction
Scale your current level of satisfaction/happiness/fulfilment at work out of 10 – be honest, but don’t take too long to think about this, just go with your first answer. Now think about what a 10/10 would look like for you. Think about work life balance, location, colleagues and the type of team/manager/leader you work best with as well as the job tasks and responsibilities too.
Step 2: Get Clear on Your CORE Values
These are the things that really spark our motivation and inspire us. They vary from person to person but they usually remain constant throughout our lives and were often formed in childhood. Core values are personal ethics or ideals that guide you when making decisions, building relationships and solving problems, for example. Identifying the values that matter to you can help to develop and achieve personal and professional goals.
A helpful way of working them out is to ask yourself to describe a time at work when you felt 1) most satisfied 2) most happy and 3) most proud.
Who were you with?
What were you doing?
Are there any common factors here which can be drawn out as your key values?
For example, learning new things, helping people, kindness, honest communication, risk taking, professionalism, sense of community, collaboration, team work, independence or communication?
You can search online for further examples of core values at work.
Write down your top 5 and ask yourself if your job is in alignment with these?
Step 3: Consider Your EXTRINSIC Values
What are your EXTRINSIC values? These are the things that entice us into a job and often keep us there but don’t usually bring the same level of inspiration as core values. Pay, benefits, hours of work, annual leave, flexible working, sick pay, pension etc.
Unlike intrinsic values, what we value here can change depending on our stage of life, i.e. earning a high salary may be the priority during our 20’s whereas having a good pension might be more important as we enter the later stages of our careers.
What’s important to you right now and does this match your current job?
Step 4: Know Your Strengths
Ask a colleague, manager and friend/relative what they think your 5 main strengths are. Ask yourself the same question and see if you can note down some examples of how you use these in your current role. Are you utilising these on a regular basis and if not, how can you increase this?
Step 5: Break Down the Career Change Journey
Break down the career change journey into small steps – what can you do to move from a 3/10 to a 4/10 in terms of the number you scored your career currently?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by what to do next, break down your journey into small, manageable chunks and allocate a time limit.
For example, I will update my CV with my latest role (1 hour) and spend 45 mins investigating the National Careers Service website or I will request a meeting with my line manager next week to discuss my next steps/flexible working request – it will take me 10 mins to send the email.
Step 6: Time Blocking Can Ensure You Take Action
As well as allocating time to small steps, why not block out time in your calendar to actually do it. Treat this as you would any other appointment that you need to attend – write it in the diary and prioritise it as important. As you’ve already set a time limit for the task, it should feel manageable.
Step 7: Get Some Help
As well as professional career and life coaches who can empower and support you to make a career change, there are also many other sources of advice and guidance out there so don’t feel you need to do this alone.
- National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk – a great place to start with free tips and resources to get you started with anything careers focused.
- ACAS: http://www.acas.org.uk – useful website which details the latest employment laws and your rights to request flexible working/adjustments.
- There are also various organisations out there to help with starting up small businesses within your local area as well as funding from the Skills Agency for certain qualifications and training routes: https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions About Career Change
Do I have to quit my job to make a career change?
Not always! You can explore new paths, upskill, or volunteer before making a big leap. Sometimes, a small tweak like flexible working can bring more fulfilment.
What if I’m not sure what I want to do next?
That’s completely normal. Start with self-reflection (like your values and strengths), research roles that appeal to you, and experiment with short courses or shadowing opportunities.
How long does a career change take?
It varies! For some, it’s a few months; for others, it’s a gradual shift over a year or more. The most important thing is steady progress, however small.
Is it too late to change careers in my 40s or 50s?
Absolutely not! Many people successfully transition later in life. Your experience is valuable, and new opportunities can align with your current needs and passions.
How can a coach help me?
A coach can help you get clear on your goals, overcome self-doubt, hold you accountable, and provide strategies and support every step of the way.
Get in Touch
Read more about my career coaching services here:
Career Coaching in Bristol – Abi Unwin – Certified Career Coach (abigailjanecoaching.com)
If you have questions or would like personal support with your career change, get in touch here or book a free discovery call.
