Tips for a Successful Career Change in 2020

Original Blog Posted on the website Recruitment Buzz by Rachel Jones: https://recruitmentbuzz.co.uk/tips-for-a-successful-career-change-in-2020/

According to the latest YouGov data, over a fifth (22%) of Brits said they were likely to be on the hunt for a new job in the next 12 months. However, the circumstances that can lead someone to seek out a new job can be varied, so it’s essential those who are on the job hunt seek tailored advice to help them land the perfect job in 2020.

With this in mind, experts at leading job search engine, Adzuna, have provided five tips to help those looking to make a job change in 2020, no matter what their circumstance may be.

1. For the mature job seeker

Much of the careers advice available to job seekers is targeted at those leaving education and under-30s, with a whole host of resources available through schools, universities and government schemes.

However, 16% of 45-54-year-olds and 10% of 55+ year-olds stated they are likely or very likely to be in the market for a new job in the next 12 months.

Possibly the single most important tip for older career changers is to ensure your skills are up to date. If you’ve been in the same job for a long period of time, you may have missed out on technological developments in other aspects of the job market that may make it difficult to find a new role. Fully research your desired position and the skills needed and then take training courses to bolster your skillset to match the job specification.

2. When you’ve been in long-term unemployment

From suffering with illness to becoming a stay at home parent, there are many circumstances that can keep you out of work. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are 330,000 people in the UK currently in long-term unemployment.

The trouble for those who have been out of work for a long period of time can come with getting back into the routine of working while proving your work ethic to both yourself and your potential employer.

To ease your worries, look at volunteering while you are searching for a permanent position. This will show commitment and help you get back into the swing of things. If you’re looking to return to a field you previously worked in, refresher courses can help bring you up to speed with skills and industry developments.

3. When you’re looking for a career u-turn

If you’re making a u-turn in your career, it’s essential to take stock of transferable skills and look at how these can be applied to your desired role. Most jobs require some level of crossover skills that you can emphasise in the application process.

For instance, employers will often look for excellent communication and interpersonal skills regardless of the sector or role, so make a point of noting down these soft-skills on your application. Doing this will give you and your potential employer the confidence that you can already do part of your new job and won’t need to learn an entire bank of new skills.

4. When you’re an introvert

Nearly half of Brits (47%) describe themselves as introverted, and this can bring a few challenges when changing careers. Networking and meeting new people in interviews can make the job search process more difficult.

Take some time to analyse your strengths and weaknesses. By knowing your traits inside out, interviews will feel easier as you will know areas you excel at and areas for improvement.

Knowing and emphasising your strengths is a great way to boost your confidence in interviews and can relieve some of the pressure that comes with them. Also, try to find a job that will match your personality, avoiding typically extroverted roles such as sales or customer service.

5. When you’ve had a lot of jobs in a short period of time 

Being a so-called ‘job hopper’ can be looked upon negatively by some employers as it can be seen to show a lack of commitment. With the recruitment process being costly both in terms of time and money, companies typically want new hires to commit to a role and add value.

With this in mind, it’s essential that you anticipate questions on the number of job roles on your CV and prepare answers that can justify your reasons. Be sure to highlight your achievements in each position on your CV and/or application, referencing quantifiable achievements where possible, such as “I achieved a20% increase in productivity during my time in this role”. Highlighting these successes shows that even though you have had a high volume of jobs, you have succeeded and made an impact in each one, and will likely succeed in your desired role.

Andrew Hunter, Co-Founder at Adzuna, adds:

“There are a lot of circumstances which can lead to someone looking for a new job and so we wanted to provide genuinely useful advice for those looking to switch up their career in 2020.

“It’s important to remember that a career change is a big decision for anyone, and doesn’t come without its risks, but hopefully these tips can help steer people in the right direction.”