How to Transition to a Different Career in 3 Easy Steps

Making a definite change in a career can sometimes be frightening and make you feel uncomfortable. As a result, you continue wishing for it, dreaming about it but not doing much. One of the reasons behind it can be the “definite” sound of it. Often in life if our options only entail option A and option B, (for example stay or leave, buy or don´t buy, speak or not speak), making a decision can be tough.

However, the transition to another career does not belong to this category or at least it doesn´t have to belong if you prefer to make the transition slow and smooth. If this is your case, here are the 3 easy steps:

1.) Allow yourself a certain period of time (but give yourself a firm date) during which you will work 2 jobs. The one you already have and the one you wish to transition to. This, of course, is only possible if you are transitioning towards your own business. If you don´t know what you are transitioning towards, use that time for doing your research, speak to as many people as you can in your possible new field of employment, gain enough information that at the end of the time period that you have given yourself you have more clarity about your next steps.

2.) Arrange for a career break or a period of unpaid leave. It is not uncommon that many companies allow their employees to take a career break and pursue other interests or studies. If you have this option, try it out. Make sure however, that you have made a sound plan for how to spend that time wisely and efficiently. It is in your own interest to return (or not) back to work with a firm decision about your future in your mind.

3.) Negotiate a possibility to work part-time in your current job. Again, if the reason is sound enough, many companies are open to such negotiations. Here it is very important that you provide the Company with a timeline you would like to make such arrangement for. If it is a definite period, let´s say a month or two, the chances are your Company will try and accommodate you. Needless to say, your action plan for how to use those spare hours that you have in your disposal needs to be ready well in advance. If you are lucky, the deal between you and your Company can work out so well that they might offer you a permanent part-time position while you develop your own business or interview for another part –time job, in a Company that suits your needs or style more.

There are indeed many options how to make the transition from one career to another one work. The most important in the whole process is your decision: you need to be ready, you need to want the change and you need to be prepared for whatever lies ahead, no matter how risky it is. If I can be helpful with an advice or a few coaching sessions, please let me know.