Recruitment experts have revealed their top tips for changing your career and how it’s never too late to start again.
The team behind the TikTok account @biginterview interviewed six people who had changed careers at age 40 thanks to a six-step process.
Tips included research, self-assessment and CV writing.
Read on for expert advice.
Speaking to those who have managed to achieve a career change later in life, one recruitment expert has revealed how you can do it yourself.
1. Do a self-assessment
The expert explained that the first step is to “do a self-assessment just to determine the direction you want to take.”
Adding: ‘Ask yourself questions like ‘What do you like to learn?’ and ‘What skills do you like to put into practice?’
You may have identified that you want to leave your current career, but haven’t yet determined what you’d like to do next.
Using personality and aptitude tests is a great way to line up potential options that match your skill set.
2. Research
Once you have some solid ideas about your new career path, you should start doing your research.
According to Big Interview, the job interview training platform behind the video, it is necessary to identify industries with a “high demand for new talent.”
The TikToker said: “The second step is to research new potential careers that are in demand right now and that match your goals.”
According great interviewit is necessary to identify industries with a “high demand for new talent.”
To make it easier, they have summarized some of the fastest growing industries of the past year:
- Health care services
- e-commerce
- Shipping and delivery
- 3d print
- Bioengineering in Virtual Reality
- Artificial intelligence
- Personal care
- Travel and hospitality
- Residential and commercial construction.
- Video marketing
3. Learn the skills
Moving on, the third step is to “learn the technical skills you will need for that new job through courses, workshops, and certifications you may need to obtain.”
However, the recruitment expert insists that it is vital that you do your research so as not to waste time.
You may already have all the skills and qualifications you need.
She said, “Most jobs don’t actually require you to go back to school, so do your research first.”
Big Interview warns that one of the common mistakes interviewers see on career changers’ CVs is “using the same language” they used in their previous field.
4. Network
You should also showcase your skills to potential employers and contacts, the Big Interview team said.
The expert advised: “The fourth step is to network by attending local events and using social media.”
By attending industry events, you can get your foot in the door and meet people in the sector you want to enter.
It will also help you learn about job opportunities and, over time, create a network of contacts that you can use in the future.
5. Optimize your CV and LinkedIn
In addition to introducing yourself in person, career swappers will want to make sure to make themselves known online.
She instructs: “The fifth step is to optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile to champion your experience and skills.”
Big Interview warns that one of the common mistakes interviewers see on career changers’ CVs is “using the same language” they used in their previous field.
You don’t need to throw away your past experience and achievements, but make it clear how they correlate to the position you’re applying for next.
6. Create a story
The recruiting professional concludes, “Finally, the sixth step is to practice for interviews by creating a story about your career change and selling your unique strengths.”
The recruiter will most likely ask you why you are changing careers, so it’s important to have an explanation ready.
Experts advise that you “go the extra mile and learn to sell yourself” for this new role, as you’ll be up against candidates who have been in the industry for a while.
Commenters wrote: ‘Narratives are very important’ and ‘I love the video, doing a review first resonated a lot.’ Do you have any recommendations?’
It comes just after Britain’s highest-paying jobs were revealed, showing you don’t always need a degree.
Manual jobs, such as welder, bricklayer or scaffolder, can often pay huge salaries when workers gain valuable experience.
These trade jobs may require workers to go to university or gain qualifications, but a university degree is often not required.
The research has been compiled by Tool Genie ahead of National Apprenticeships Week, which celebrates the “value, benefit and opportunity they bring”.