In 2020, one-third of the U.S. workforce changed or lost their jobs. For the first time, established professionals were removed from their workplace norms and given the space needed to reflect on the reality of their work-life balance. Away from the regularity of commutes, daily stand-ups, and a never-ending to-do list, many found themselves facing a stark realisation – I do not like my job. Much like grief, this discovery of dissatisfaction can come with a wave of emotions. Denial. Anger. Fear. Panic. Bargaining. We balance the desire for internal fulfilment with external factors such as income, dependents, and stability.

Many, including myself, began to question where their current career trajectory was taking them…and if it was too late to change it. Since then, the World has changed drastically. Remote and Hybrid job options have been integrated into the norm, previously high-demand careers are in hiring freezes, and more people are looking for ways to monetise their passion than ever before. The trend of Career Shifting may have risen from the extreme conditions of the pandemic, but in 2024 it doesn’t look to be going away.

There is no easy answer on whether a career shift is right for you, but what we can assess, are the options – Instead of turning to panic, we can employ logic to the problem to look for an objective solution. For instance, a shift my clients have been navigating is moving from the world of Tech into a Career in Writing. At first glance, the transition seems impossible, but when we remove fear and work through the following stages, it becomes much simpler to find a logical solution.

Here are my Five Steps to take when considering a Career Change:

Step 1: Acknowledge and Accept

Like grief, finding acceptance in your current situation is crucial. This first step requires a deep dive into your emotions. Take time to sit with the array of feelings that surface when contemplating a career shift. Recognise the restlessness and desire for change, in order to acknowledge that these emotions, while unsettling, are the seeds of change.

Remember that unchanging growth is stagnation.

Step 2: Target Industry Analysis

A successful career transition is not just about changing jobs but aligning your professional pursuits with your life’s purpose. Consider how your current professional journey aligns with your broader life vision and assess any gaps between where you are now, and where you would like to be. They may be elements such as income, work-life balance, creative fulfilment, or impact.

List the most important three as ‘Priorities’.

Next, list three as ‘Preferred’.

Finally, list three under ‘If Possible’.

This will allow you to create a points system when researching new roles. Positions that meet a ‘priority’ are awarded 3 points, ‘preferred’ 2, and ‘if possible’ 1.

Compare these scores with your current situation and eliminate anything with the same or a lower score. For a career shift to be successful it must bring you measurably closer in alignment to your ideal future.

Step 3: Skill Parallels

A critical component of any career shift is understanding the landscape of your target industries. Whilst it is important to analyze what a job offers you, we must also consider what you offer the job. Begin by evaluating the strengths that have served you well in your current role. Skill development is not just about adding technical expertise but also honing soft skills essential for your new career path. Identify the skills that are already transferable across industries to establish what might be missing.

A software engineer wanting to move into a Writing Career may be familiar with the process of editing and communication, but lack experience in story structure or SEO content and decide to hire a coach, attend a writing class, or take an online course.

Make your own plan for how you would invest in gaining these new skills necessary for pursuing a career shift and reflect on the following questions: Is it financially viable? What is the time commitment? What is the increased likelihood of success?

Step 4: Leverage Your Network

When contemplating a career shift, your network becomes a strategic ally. Connect with professionals in your target industry through informational interviews, gleaning insights from their experiences. Most people are happy to accept the invitation to share their stories over a cup of coffee or connect over Zoom. Ask them what they like and dislike about their position, and what advice they might have for someone considering a shift.

This is the opportunity to learn and tailor any plans to real-world examples. Perhaps there is a particular skill or experience you didn’t realize could be an asset in this industry or even an upcoming opportunity for which you’d be a perfect fit.

Step 5: Strategic Action Plan

It’s time to consolidate your insights. Put down a written response to the above steps to create your tailored plan for changing careers. This should make clear a timeline, income and lifestyle changes, and the ultimate benefits of a professional transition. Compare this to your situation if you do not make the shift. There are only two questions left to answer:

Is a career shift realistically possible?

If yes, will it improve the overall quality of your life?

These are the questions I asked myself in 2021. After the pandemic, a move across the world, and finally facing the reality of my situation, I knew something needed to change. I left a successful Film Career to become a full-time Writer and Coach working remotely from Japan. And I’ve never been happier. Read my story here.

Join the Conversation: Are you considering a career change? Have you made one before? Leave your stories in the comments below.