Pursuing a New Career While in Employment

Thinking about changing careers is a big move and one that shouldn’t be rushed into. When you are excited about starting anew it can be tempting to rush straight in, but making the most of your current employment will be a great asset. While you have a steady job you will have the income and security that will help your career change by giving you the opportunity to prepare without the pressure.

1. Training In The Evenings

After a long day at work, going to college or studying can seem like too much to handle. If you are serious about a career change, however, then this is one of the best ways to learn a new skill or gain a qualification. If it is a subject that you are enthusiastic about, you shouldn’t find the commitment too hard and it will help you stay motivated at work as you are investing in your future.

2. Using Holiday Time

Ok, so using your holiday allowance from work for anything other than relaxing on a beach may not sound very tempting. But it is the ideal time to gain experience in a new field and build Your CV. Part of the difficulty with changing careers is a lack of experience in the field. By doing some Work Placements in your holidays you can overcome this hurdle and be one step closer to your new career development.

3. Making The Most Of Your Job

If you are planning to change careers, you have probably lost motivation in your current employment. Instead of switching off at work, use it to Gain As Many Skills As You Can before you leave. If your employer provides training and sends people on courses, try to get on as many as possible to boost your CV. Think about the skills that you will need in you new career and how you can gain them in your current job. Whether it is working on your touch typing or increasing your teamwork skills, focus on specific areas.

4. Be Discreet

When you are excited about a career change you will probably want to tell everybody about it. However, you need to be Discreet About Your Plans At Work. Telling a few trusted colleagues may sound like a safe idea but you always run the risk of someone letting it slip. If you lose your current job, the pressure will be on to make your new career work without the security of employment. Until you are sure that you want to make the leap and are going to leave, it is best to keep your plans quiet in the office.

Deciding on a career change is an exciting move and you need to plan it carefully. Make the most of your employment by using it as your stepping stone to career development. Think about what skills you can gain from your job while also studying in the evenings. Consider using your holiday time to gain experience in your new career field. While you are doing all this, it is best not to tell any colleagues about it so you can make the move at your own pace.

Part-Time Career Change

The idea of a part-time career change is that it allows you to make a step towards your dream job now, rather than sometime in the future – which may never come! Read our top tips for making this change in our article What About A Part-Time Career Change?.