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Insights into career change

Career change : everything you need to know to better understand

Today, many people are looking to change careers . The motivations for this new project are numerous: a desire to find meaning in their work, a wish to thrive in a different field… Solutions exist to help you successfully complete your career change . This comprehensive article explains everything you need to know about career changes to fully understand them.  

Career change , a current trend

According to the CentreInffo barometer of 2021, 20% of employees were preparing for a career change in 2021. This involved either a change of job or a change of sector of activity.

With the health crisis we have experienced in recent years, career changes have become commonplace. This is especially true as employees have become more aware of the importance of happiness at work above all else. 

Today, every career path is punctuated by important milestones. Employees no longer necessarily want to do the same job their entire lives, which generally leads to career changes. However, changing careers requires time and personal investment. Between the often crucial training phase and the numerous administrative procedures involved, it’s essential to be well-informed to maximize your chances of success!

 

Why change careers?

The reasons for a career change are numerous and unique to each individual. While considered a fairly common undertaking, it remains a delicate matter requiring careful preparation. Generally, the decision to change careers arises after a turning point, a realization, such as burnout , a loss of purpose, or insufficient pay. 

However, be aware that it’s essential to be able to explain the reasons for your new project, as it will inevitably impact your employability. Recruiters will want to understand the reasons behind this career change and your underlying motivations. For freelancers, a career change also requires a clear justification, as your clients and professional partners will seek to understand the rationale behind such a shift. 

The goal isn’t necessarily to discuss your private life, but rather to showcase your career and highlight your desire for a change of direction. Be confident in your new professional project and determined to see it through to the end.

Career change  : skills assessment and choosing your new job

All avenues can be explored when choosing a career as part of a professional retraining. The key is to choose a job you truly enjoy , beyond simply considering the competition in the job market.

Your tastes and desires inevitably influence the career path you wish to pursue. Initially, it may be necessary to determine as precisely as possible the professions that best suit you. A skills assessment is an excellent way to get a preliminary idea of ​​the careers you could consider. 

In practice, a skills assessment helps to create a profile of your personal and professional skills and interests. If you are passionate about a particular field, this will inevitably be reflected in your assessment. This test also takes into account your aptitudes and life goals. Because career advancement requires careful planning, a skills assessment provides you with the initial keys to your new project. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact organizations specializing in career transitions, such as Pôle emploi (the French public employment service). 

Defining your project to successfully complete your career change

Whether you wish to leave a permanent contract to retrain professionally or simply change jobs, it is always important to define the outlines of your new project. 

Sometimes, some employees simply want to do the same job but in another company, while others aspire to new roles. It can therefore be worthwhile to consider whether it’s better to retrain or change companies. 

If a career change seems like the best possible solution, it’s important to know how to organize yourself to achieve your goal step by step. By following appropriate training, you can reach a sufficient level to pursue your dream job. 

Once you know what career you want to pursue, you can anticipate the demand in the job market. Indeed, some positions are in high demand, while others are particularly competitive. For example, digital and IT jobs are especially sought after, and there are plenty of openings. Conducting career research will allow you to learn more about the profession you’re considering and thus better prepare for your career change. 

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Career change : should you take an online course?

When changing careers, the question inevitably arises: is prior training necessary? Is formal training mandatory to successfully complete your project? In the context of a career change, training is generally a crucial step, as it lays the foundation for a new profession. Ultimately, it all depends on your current job and your new career goals. 

Besides the VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience), the benefits of online training are numerous. By choosing the right training program for you, you learn everything you need to know about your new field. This is also a significant asset on your resume and often makes all the difference in the eyes of recruiters. In any case, your online training must be certified and recognized in the job market; otherwise, it will have no added value.

When it comes to online training, you’re spoiled for choice. You’re free to choose a prestigious institution or a university, depending on your career change path. This type of profile is very common among students these days. Sometimes, training can be provided internally within your company if you wish to remain with the same organization while advancing professionally.

What is the average cost of a career change?

Before exploring financing options for your career change, it’s important to understand the average budget for this type of project. In practice, all professional training can be financed in various ways: through the CPF (Personal Training Account) or via a longer-term individual training leave. Pôle emploi (the French public employment service) also contributes to funding in certain situations, in addition to any funding offered by your regional council. Ultimately, everything depends on the duration and cost of your training, as well as your current entitlements. 

How long does a career change take  ?

Changing careers doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, employees and freelancers who have successfully completed this project have had to dedicate at least 6 months of their lives to it. 

To avoid setbacks, carefully consider everything you need to do to achieve your desired outcome. Evaluate your strengths and career path. If you truly intend to pursue your career change, you must inform your employer and begin training if necessary. The duration of training varies from a few days to several years. It all depends on your background and the technical complexity of the new job you plan to pursue.  

Good to know:

If you wish to become self-employed by taking over a business, you must avoid becoming a competitor of your current employer. If you are currently employed, it is important to carefully review the terms of your employment contract to avoid potential difficulties later on.

How can you showcase your career change to recruiters?

Have you completed your training and feel ready to enter the workforce  ? Sometimes, people considering a career change are no longer familiar with the traditional recruitment process. They may find it daunting to highlight their experience, write a CV and cover letter, and navigate interviews . Yet, your background is an asset you can absolutely emphasize.

Don’t hesitate to meet with professionals, attend recruitment events, and generally stay visible in the job market . Similarly, present your career change project to recruiters, highlighting your motivations and strengths. Before a job interview, research the company and the position you’re applying for as thoroughly as possible. 

Furthermore, your CV should highlight the key elements of your new career plan. It’s understandable to feel a bit lost when faced with a lack of experience in your desired new field. However, this can be overcome by listing your previous responsibilities and all the relevant aspects of your new role. The key here is to be strategic and showcase your transferable skills to bridge the gap between your past and present professional experiences. You’ve undoubtedly acquired skills and abilities in your previous position that will be valuable in your new career. 

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Towards a career change with Studi

Looking to make a career change and embark on a professional retraining ? Perfect timing! At Studi, we offer over 200 short courses (to quickly advance your professional life) and long courses to meet all your needs.

 

Far from limiting ourselves to a few sectors of activity, at Studi, our online courses cover no less than 15 fields! 

Rooted in the realities of the job market, we choose promising fields that will allow you to reinvent yourself professionally:

So, ready to take the plunge towards a fulfilling and promising career?
 

Join Studi and choose excellence for your career change.

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