Whether you are 25 or 45, the prospect of a career change can be daunting. The pandemic has changed everything, from how we work to even the jobs we work. In the U.S., a quarter of all adults want to shift careers due to the pandemic, according to HR company Morneau Shepell.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, mid-career switching has been a growing trend in recent years. According to data from Workforce Singapore, almost a third of all annual career-shifters are 40 years old or above. Most of them seek to enter banking, technology, and healthcare. With the pandemic reframing how we work, more people are asking themselves: "Do I need a career change?" and "What career change is right for me?"

Career changes are typically categorised as voluntary, in which the jobseeker is looking for job satisfaction, and involuntary by the market or other outside forces. In this story, we'll be focusing on voluntary career changes and how to execute this successfully. Shifting careers at any point in your life can be scary. But if done right, you can reap the benefits of high job satisfaction and better career growth prospects.

Ask Yourself Why You Want a Career Change?

This will almost certainly be the first question any employer asks you, so you should always have your career change reasons at the back of your mind. This is also a great way to maintain your motivation to change careers for your professional and personal growth. Remember the reason why you want to start this journey, whether it's your dream job or if you prefer the risk-benefit analysis of your second career path. Always remembering why you want to shift careers will boost your sense of purpose and help you successfully make the shift.

Tips on what you should prepare for a career shift:

• Have a nest egg. You might not be able to land a job within the first few months of your career change, so you should allot time and money for your shift. Having funds to fall back on will increase your likelihood of success, not to mention take the pressure off an uncomfortable situation.
• Have a plan. This isn't an easy route to take, so you should have a solid plan. Dedicate time for upskilling, studying, and researching. Create a time frame for your job search. Map out the companies you want to apply to.
• Secure your contacts. Utilise your large network of contacts. Singapore is a small world, so you might be surprised at the contacts that you could interact with again in the future. These contacts might even help you get your foot in the door of your dream career path.

Highlight Your Experience

While you might not have direct experience in your second career path, that doesn't mean you don't have any experience that might be relevant. For example, if you're a marketing professional seeking to transfer to the tech industry, you can highlight how you gained insight into the tech industry by working with tech companies that were clients. If you're an HR professional transferring to banking, you can share your experience with gathering invoices and light bookkeeping.

Ask for Help

Don't be afraid to ask for help from your wide network of friends and colleagues. Make use of your vast network by looking for professionals that can offer advice on your career decision. If you've worked closely with some, ask for recommendations, insights, and stories of their experiences in the industry you want to enter. It doesn't hurt to ask, and sometimes, your network could be more valuable than any book or article.

Use tools at your disposal:

• Government programs. Since career changes seem to be a growing trend, the Singapore government is already keeping up with this development with its Tech Skills Accelerator initiative, which has a new program focused on mid-career changes. The program is designed to train 40-year-olds and above interested in joining the tech industry.
• For the financial services sector, the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) runs the Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP) which provides mid-career individuals with the opportunity to attend industry-curated structured training, followed by attachment with financial institutions to gain on-the-job experience to pivot into a career in technology. 
• Online courses. There are plenty of online courses nowadays that offer upskilling services at an affordable rate. These include courses on emerging skills, like fintech and e-commerce, to transferrable skills, like job search success and career advancement tips.

Upskill to the Changing Times

The secret to shifting careers is constantly upskilling. Make sure your skills and capabilities stay relevant to the changing times. That means keeping up with new software, work trends, and even entirely new skills. Governments around the world are catching on to the importance of offering the workforce opportunities to upskill.

In an increasing volatile and complex world where the workplace is constantly evolving, upskilling will almost always be necessary. From the 2008 Financial Crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will always be something to change the workforce demands of the market. The pandemic quickened digital adaptation and highlighted the importance of technology so it's no surprise careers in this area are being sought out for second career paths.

A Career Change Can Be a Good Thing

While shifting careers might seem scary, it can be a good thing for those who've thought their plan through. Change also means opportunity. Moving onto this new career path might give you the work-life balance you've been searching for or the overall sense of purpose and passion that's missing from your current career path.

List Benefits

• You can achieve professional growth.
• You can achieve personal growth.
• You can earn more money.
• You can develop new skills.
• You can learn how to adapt.
• You can widen your network.
• You can achieve a work-life balance.
• Work will seem new and interesting again.
• You will be in control of your career.

Don't be afraid to take the plunge and make a career change if you believe it will lead to a better life for you!