Young woman sitting at a desk, smiling and looking at a laptop screen with a thought bubble above her head

Sticking with one career for life is becoming a thing of the past. More professionals are making career shifts than ever, with job changes now a normal part of the modern workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average worker holds 12 jobs by age 52—and that number is rising for younger generations.

Technology and remote work have made career changes easier. Skills that once stayed within specific industries now transfer more freely, and networking opportunities are endless. A recent LinkedIn report found that nearly half of job seekers are considering switching careers, often in search of better work-life balance, higher pay, or more meaningful work.

If you’re thinking about a change, you’re not alone. The key is to make a strategic move that sets you up for success. Below, we’ll walk through how to transition into a new career with confidence—and help you decide if now is the right time.

What to Consider When Switching Careers

Evaluate your skills and interests

Think about what you enjoy doing and where your strengths lie. Can your existing skills transfer to another field? Many jobs today value soft skills like leadership, problem-solving, and communication, which are useful in almost any industry. If you’re lacking technical skills for a new career, research training programs, certifications, or online courses that can help you close the gap.

Consider the financial impact

A career change might mean taking a temporary pay cut, especially if you’re moving into a new field. Before making the leap:

  • Assess your current savings and financial obligations.
  • Budget for a potential transition period with lower earnings.
  • Look into side gigs or contract work to supplement your income.

Switching careers doesn’t always mean starting over financially. Many professionals leverage their experience to negotiate competitive salaries, even when entering a new field.

Factor in the time commitment

Changing careers often requires learning new skills, networking, and possibly earning additional certifications. If your work-life balance is already strained, consider whether you have the time and energy to make the transition. Some careers require months—or even years—of training, while others may allow for a quicker switch. Research the demands of your desired field and set realistic expectations.

Research the future of the industry

Not all careers have the same long-term stability. Before making a move, look at job growth projections and emerging trends. Fields like technology, healthcare, and renewable energy are expanding, while automation is reshaping traditional industries.

Ask yourself:

  • What will this job look like in five or ten years?
  • Is demand growing, or are opportunities shrinking?
  • Will the skills you gain now be relevant in the future?

Switching careers is a big decision, but preparing strategically can make the transition smoother and more rewarding. Next, we’ll break down the exact steps to take when making a career change.

How to Switch Your Career Path

1. Understand your motivations

Before jumping into a new field, get clear on why you’re making a change. Are you looking for better pay, more work-life balance, or greater job satisfaction? Understanding your core motivations ensures you’re making a strategic move—not just an emotional decision.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I burned out, or do I truly dislike this career? Burnout can often be fixed with better boundaries, but if you no longer enjoy the work itself, a career shift might be the right choice.
  • Is it my job or the company culture? Sometimes, switching employers—not industries—solves the problem.
  • Have my priorities changed? Your interests, values, or lifestyle needs may have shifted since you started your career.
  • Am I feeling unchallenged? If you’re craving growth, a new role or industry could help reignite your passion.

Once you’ve identified the root cause of your dissatisfaction, you’ll have a clearer direction for what you want next.

2. Assess where your interests and skills overlap

If you’re unsure what career path to pursue next, start by identifying where your passions and strengths align.

  1. Make a list of your interests: What excites you? What do you enjoy doing in and outside of work?
  2. Identify your transferable skills: Hard skills (like data analysis, writing, or coding) and soft skills (like leadership, problem-solving, and communication) are valuable across industries.
  3. Find the overlap: Look for careers where your existing skills and interests intersect.

For example, if you love helping people and have strong communication skills, careers in coaching, HR, or customer success could be a great fit. Or, if you enjoy technology and have an analytical mindset, fields like cybersecurity or data science might be worth exploring.

Use career assessment tools like My Next Move or explore career clusters to identify roles that match your skills.

3. Research the market

Once you have a target career in mind, analyze what it takes to break into the industry.

Ask these key questions:

  • What’s the demand for this role? The BLS’ Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great resource for job growth projections.
  • What’s the salary range? Understanding earning potential helps you plan financially. Use our salary data tool to explore by market.
  • What skills or education do I need? Some careers require degrees, while others can be learned through online courses, bootcamps, or certifications.
  • Are jobs available in my area, or would I need to relocate? Remote work has expanded job opportunities, but some industries still require in-person work.

Reach out to people in your desired field for informational interviews—this will give you real-world insight into the job’s responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities.

4. Gain experience

One of the biggest challenges in switching careers is proving you can do the job without prior experience. Fortunately, there are many ways to gain relevant skills before making the leap.

Freelance, contract, or part-time work

Short-term projects can help build experience and credibility:

  • Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to land small gigs.
  • Look for contract positions—many companies hire contract workers before bringing them on full-time.
  • Volunteer or take on side projects to showcase your skills.
  • Even unpaid experience counts—if you build a portfolio through volunteer work, coursework, or side projects, you have proof of ability.

Take online courses & certifications

Many industries now prioritize skills over degrees. If your new career requires technical expertise, online courses can help you gain credibility:

  • Tech & data: Google Career Certificates, Coursera, Udemy, Codecademy.
  • Marketing & business: HubSpot Academy, LinkedIn Learning, Google Digital Garage.
  • Healthcare & project management: PMP certification, medical coding bootcamps.

Find a mentor or career coach

Career changes are easier when you have guidance from someone who’s been there. A mentor or coach can:

  • Help you avoid common mistakes.
  • Provide insight into industry trends.
  • Introduce you to networking opportunities.

Many professionals are willing to help—LinkedIn, professional groups, and networking events are great places to find mentors.

5. Polish your resume

Your old resume won’t cut it for a new industry. You’ll need to frame your experience to match your new career.

Begin by highlighting your transferable skills. Employers care about what you can bring to the table—even if your previous job was in a different field.

  • Identify skills in job descriptions and align them with your past roles.
  • Focus on results and achievements, not just duties.
  • Use strong action words like “led,” “developed,” and “implemented.”

For example:

  • Before (old resume for sales job): “Managed client relationships and increased sales by 20%.”
  • After (for a career in HR): “Developed strong interpersonal skills while managing client relationships, leading to a 20% increase in engagement.”

A short career summary at the top of your resume will also help recruiters understand your transition.

For example:

“Results-driven marketing professional transitioning into UX design. Skilled in customer research, data analysis, and digital strategy, with a passion for creating user-centered experiences. Completed Google UX Design Certification and currently building a portfolio of design projects.

6. Start applying & networking

Applying for jobs in a new field can feel overwhelming, but a strategic approach increases your chances of success.

Tailor every application

  • Customize your resume and cover letter to match each job description.
  • Use an ATS-friendly resume format to get past automated screening software.
  • Highlight your transferable skills and relevant experience.

Be ready to explain your career shift

Hiring managers will ask, “Why are you switching careers?” Have a strong, confident answer that focuses on opportunity, not dissatisfaction.

  • “I’m looking for a new challenge and see a strong alignment between my skills and this industry.”
  • “I discovered a passion for [new field] and have built expertise through [courses, projects, certifications].”
  • “My background in [old career] gives me a unique perspective that will add value to [new role].”

Leverage your network

Many career changers land jobs through networking, not job boards. Reach out to:

  • Former colleagues who may know of opportunities.
  • Industry professionals for informational interviews.
  • LinkedIn groups & professional associations to expand your network.

Breaking into a new career takes persistence, but each application, interview, and networking opportunity moves you one step closer to your next role.

Pete Newsome

About

Pete Newsome is the President of 4 Corner Resources, the staffing and recruiting firm he founded in 2005. 4 Corner is a member of the American Staffing Association and TechServe Alliance and has been Clearly Rated's top-rated staffing company in Central Florida for the past five years. Recent awards and recognition include being named to Forbes’ Best Recruiting Firms in America, The Seminole 100, and The Golden 100. Pete also founded zengig, to offer comprehensive career advice, tools, and resources for students and professionals. He hosts two podcasts, Hire Calling and Finding Career Zen, and is blazing new trails in recruitment marketing with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn