How to make a successful career change?

Career change: Make sure you're making the right choice

Frustration, feeling bad at work, or wanting to achieve something can push you to make a career change. Before you negotiate a mutual termination of your permanent contract (CDI), make sure you're not acting impulsively.

When you're employed and want to switch careers, the first thing to do is look at your situation, keeping in mind what you need and want professionally. To do this, make a list of everything that's making you want to change jobs.

If your job no longer seems right for you, look for the source of the problem and try to fix it. Deciding to change careers without understanding why you're doing it can lead to another failure. Also, by taking a step back, you may realize that your situation does not require a radical change in your professional life, but rather a reorientation of your career.

Opt for advice and support from qualified professionals

Even if you're convinced that a career change is the right move, get advice from professionals in the field. There are several forms of support available to point you in the right direction.

To maximize your chances, carry out a skills assessment. This is very useful for identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Lasting 24 hours, a skills assessment costs between 1,000 and 3,000 euros and can be financed by your Personal Training Account (CPF).

You can also take advantage of the support offered by coaches specializing in professional retraining. They'll help you calmly consider a career change. Unlike a standardized skills assessment, professional coaching is more personalized and introspective.

Another option available to employees is to turn to a professional development advisor. This free service helps you assess your position in relation to a professional environment. This will give you more to work with if you want to retrain.

Check that your new business area is doing well.

After learning about your skills, motivations and shortcomings, you should find out about the opportunities offered by the job market in your geographical area. It would be a shame to leave a position where you enjoy a certain stability to embark on a dead end.

Also, remember that it may have been years since you last applied for a job or entered a competition, and the needs of the market may have changed. What skills are employers looking for? Which sectors are growing, and which jobs are recruiting the least? Learning about the job market is essential to understanding the reality of a profession. The more you know about available positions in a sector, the easier it will be to find work.

Get inspired by the career paths of employees who have undergone professional retraining

Drawing on the experience of others is sometimes necessary to make a successful career change. Therefore, before proceeding with the early termination of the fixed-term contract that you have signed, read the testimonials of people who have made the decision to change their lives.

Try to be present at events like trade shows, because networking will give you the opportunity to chat with professionals and young people who have changed careers.

Also, doing some web research focusing on topics like entrepreneurship or personal development can help you find work that matches your goals. Finally, you can prepare for your new career by doing an internship.

Opt for recognized training in the job market and learn to sell yourself

When switching careers, you don't necessarily need a diploma or certification at the end of your training. In some cases, it's optional when changing careers. Before diving into new studies, take stock of your skills or get advice from your coach. If training is needed, make sure the center offering it is recognized by most companies.

How do you sell yourself if you have an unconventional career path? First off, tailor your CV and cover letter to the job you're after. Don't hide the fact that you're switching careers. Instead, highlight your journey to convince and reassure the recruiter about why you chose this path.

Anticipate all the financial costs when changing careers

If your career change project involves you starting your own business, there are business creation aids offered by Pôle emploi (French employment center). These offer financial or operational support to employees and the unemployed who want to become business creators.

Whether it's the CPF or the AIF (individual training assistance), your training can be fully or partially funded. However, it is preferable to anticipate the costs of the various elements:

• training,
• skills assessment,
• coaching,
• travel,
• meals and accommodation,
• equipment and software.

Acting in this way allows you to not abandon your career change project because of financial worries.

Anticipate failure and be prepared to accept it

Not all career changes are successful. If you fail, you need to take a step back to ask yourself the right questions and accept the situation:

• What did this experience teach you?
• What alternatives are available to you?
• Is it possible for you to go back to your old job?

Also, put a backup plan in place. If your career change fails or you're not satisfied, leave the company you work for and find another. If, on the other hand, you've started training for a new job but it's taking you away from your aspirations, don't hesitate to stop and change direction.

If you've created your company but it's struggling to take off, change your strategy. Review your communication or re-examine your project from a different angle.