Changing your career is something we have all dreamed of at least once. But going through with it can feel incredibly intimidating. Fortunately, you can increase your chances of career change success by doing the 5 things below. Read on to find out what they are. 

Get to grips with a potential pay cut 

First of all, if you are considering a career change you need to get your head around the fact that it’s likely you will need to take a pay cut in the beginning stages. This is because when you change your career you will need to start at the bottom of the ladder again, which means less responsibility and lower pay. 

However, you won’t stay at the bottom of the ladder forever. Indeed, people who are older when they begin their second career are often much more focused and dedicated and rise through the ranks a great deal faster.  You’ll just need to work out whether it’s worth a temporary dip in salary while you get through these initial stages. 

Think about how it will look on your CV 

Another issue you must consider carefully during a career change is how it will look on your CV. Many people get very worried about this especially if their second career is in an industry very different to their first. 

However, getting help with your CV to show such a change in the best light is possible. There is plenty of info on how to do this online, and you can also work with CV Experts for this purpose. Indeed, CV experts will have the experience and knowledge to help frame your career change as a plus rather than a negative on your CV, and so help you secure the roles you most want in your new field. 

Research the training you’ll need

Few career changes come without needing considerable re-training in a new field. It’s crucial that you look into the amount and level of training you will need to make your switch well before you leave your old career behind. 

Being realistic here can help a great deal, as some roles may be out of your reach such as becoming a doctor or vet as they require many years of schooling. However, moving into adjacent roles such as doctors or vet assistants and then continuing to study while gaining experience in the field may be a possibility. 

Consider the reasons you want a career change 

It’s also very important that you consider the reasons that are leading you to want to change your career. For example, maybe you’re sick of the stress and targets you have to constantly reach. If so then moving to another career field that is also set up in this way will be a poor choice. Knowing the motivation behind your career change can help you make the right decision going forward. 

Start building a network in your new field 

Last of all, if you want to succeed in your new career, you’ll want to consider building up a network of contacts that can help you do so. The best way of doing this is by contacting people on LinkedIn and offering to help with an issue they are facing. Remember authentic networks are based on reciprocal help.