3 questions to ask yourself before you change career

When it comes to changing up your career prospects, it can be tricky to know where to start. To set you off on the right track, here are three questions you should be asking yourself.

1. Are you qualified?

Especially if you’re keen to delve into a role that’s nothing remotely like your current position, you might need to check if you’re suitably qualified. Some employers may request that you have GCSE grades in English and maths, while others might state that a degree in a subject relevant to the role is desired.

However, it could be that you need to obtain a specific qualification before you can even apply for your dream role. For example, if you want to become a mortgage adviser, you will need to acquire a qualification that allows you to legally practice, such as the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP). The CeMAP course, which can be obtained via online learning or through classroom-led training, can help to open up a number of doors for you on your journey to becoming a mortgage adviser. Without it, you may struggle to turn heads during your job hunt.

2. Is your CV up to date?

Ahead of your career change, it’s likely you’ll need to dust off your CV and give it an update. You can’t expect prospective employers to notice you unless your resume is current and concise, so if yours is a little out of date, now is the time to freshen it up.

Your CV should include the details that will help you stand out from the crowd and any traits or skills you have that you think make you a cut above the rest. Ideally, your resume should be no more than two pages, so try to keep your information clear and succinct.

Don’t forget to check over your CV too. It’s important to make sure it doesn’t contain any mistakes, such as spelling and grammatical errors. To ensure your resume is spot on, you might find it helpful to ask someone else to read over it for you.

3. Do you feel ready?

Even if you’ve gained the qualifications you’ll need and you’ve fine tuned your CV to perfection, you will also need to ask yourself if you feel ready. While you might be tempted to throw caution to the wind and suddenly steer your career in a different direction, it’s a good idea to think sensibly about the transition you’re about to make. As long as you feel ready for the change of scenery where your employment is concerned and you’ve given it some careful thought, there’s no reason why taking your career down a new path shouldn’t work for you.

If you’re able to answer ‘yes’ to each of these questions, what are you waiting for? It might be the perfect time to drive your career in a new direction.