How to Change Careers: The Ultimate Guide to Switching to a Career You Love
[Last updated on 05/09/2025] Feeling unfulfilled in your current job? Discover how to define your career change goal, assess your skills, explore new industries, and plan your career change with the right support.
As summer-time draws to a close and the back-to-school buzz fills the air, many of us start reflecting on where we’re headed - not just in life, but in our career. If you’re feeling stuck in the wrong role, autumn is the perfect time to start working towards a new, more fulfilling vocation.
As a career advisor, I speak to people every day who are craving something better, with more purpose, better pay, or the flexibility to actually enjoy life outside of work. But they’re held back by a few big questions – how do you actually make a career change? And is this even an option for me at this point in my life?
The truth is, while it will take a concerted effort to achieve, a career change absolutely possible. At Learning People, we’ve helped just short of 50,000 people transition to a new career path in tech or project management – fields that offer great salaries, strong job security, and real long-term growth.
That’s exactly why I’ve created this guide. I’ve pulled together the key advice that my colleagues and I give every day as career consultants to help you move forward with clarity and confidence towards your new role. Let’s walk through it together – below are the six key phases we identified to changing careers successfully, including some specific key actions so you know what to do at each step.
Want personalised help? Our Career Consultants can give you a call. Just leave your details and we’ll be in touch, usually within one working day.
Written by
Sophi Barnes is an experienced Careers Services Consultant with a strong background in career coaching and deep expertise in the tech and project management job markets. She's passionate about supporting people through career transitions and into roles where they can thrive.
What's on this page?
Jump to:
- Define Exactly What You Need Out of This Career Change
- Hone in on Sectors, Industry, and Roles for Your New Career
- Start Building a Relevant Support Network (Yes, Already!)
- Plan for Training and Upskilling
- Create a Career-Change-Friendly CV, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn
- Apply! Prepare to Talk About Your Career Change in Interviews
- Final Career Change Advice – We’re Here to Help
- Career Change FAQs
1. Define Exactly What You Need Out of This Career Change
Before you start looking at job titles or retraining options, you first need to make sure you’re really clear on why you want a change of career and what you need in your new positions. What are your north-star requirements, or your absolute non-negotiables?
Based on my daily conversations with job seekers, I find what they want out of their new career usually falls within the following camps:
- more flexibility (in working hours or work location and remote work)
- a higher wage
- more meaningful work; a sense of purpose
- a job that challenges more and develops them professionally
- or, honestly, just something they don’t dread every Monday morning
For you, this might look different. The important thing is you spend some time deciding what’s really important, and what is absolutely necessary in your new career to make the change worthwhile in the long run.
This stage isn’t about vague wishlists. The clearer you are on your dealbreakers and non-negotiables, the easier it becomes to make smart, focused decisions later on – whether that’s choosing a sector, a course, or a job offer. In short: the decisions you make in this phase should guide every decision you make about your career change from then on.
Try to be honest with yourself about what you want your life to look like, and let that guide your career criteria.
Specific Actions for Establishing What You Need from a Career Change:
- Write down your top five motivators for changing career (e.g., flexibility, pay, job satisfaction) and rank them in order of importance – think hard about what is in the number-one spot, and if that truly reflects your career goals.
- Set a minimum salary target and a potential salary bracket based on your financial needs (“I need to earn between £x and £x per year…”)
- Decide on key lifestyle factors that matter to you, like remote work, hours, or travel, and treat them as filters for future job choices.
- Think about your long-term goals: what kind of career could support your plans for your family, retirement, eldercare, childcare, or personal ambitions?
- Have a conversation with someone close to you (a partner, a friend, someone in your immediate family, or a mentor), and get their take on what they think you really need from your next role. You might be surprised with a new perspective they bring to the table.
Remote work fuels career change ambitions
45% of UK workers would consider changing careers to become digital nomads, with flexibility and remote working listed as the top reasons, according to Startups.co.uk.
2. Hone in on Sectors, Industry, and Roles for Your New Career
Once you know what you’re looking for from a new career, it’s time to explore which roles and industries can actually deliver it. Your ideal job should align with your values and goals, but it also needs to be realistic in terms of salary, training requirements, and how long it’ll take to get there.
Some careers require years of study and formal degrees. Others, like many roles in tech and project management, are far more accessible, especially if you're open to online learning and flexible training.
I’d advise to not rule out a sector before you’ve properly looked into what it takes to get started.
Specific Actions for Honing in on a Sector, Industry, or Role for Your Career Change:
- Browse job listings on job search engines like Adzuna and Indeed, or platforms like LinkedIn. Focus on your sectors of interest and learn about the day-to-day responsibilities, required qualifications, and starting salaries of these jobs.
- Use career-matching tools like our MyCareerMatch quiz to explore career paths that align with your personality and strengths.
- Do a skills audit: list your current skills and experiences, then identify where there’s overlap with roles you’re interested in (we’re working on our own skills audit guide, it’s coming soon!)
- Talk to people already working in those industries, whether it’s on LinkedIn, in forums, or through local events; ask them how they got started and what a day-in-the-life looks like in that role.
- Speak to a career consultant (like the ones here at Learning People) to get expert advice on the fastest, most realistic way into a new career.
3. Start Building a Relevant Support Network (Yes, Already!)
A career change isn’t something you should figure out alone. One of the best things you can do early on is connect with people who’ve already done what you’re trying to do.
Those who’ve made a similar move, into the same industry or role, and can offer real-world insight (and a bit of encouragement).
This isn’t just about adding random names to your LinkedIn profile. It’s about finding a community – people who can share honest experiences, tips they wish they’d known, or even open a door to an opportunity.
And it works both ways: the more open you are about your plans, the more likely others are to help.
Specific Actions for Building a Relevant Network for Your Career Change:
- Join online communities, forums, or Discord groups related to your target sector (tech, coding, cybersecurity, etc.) and start engaging.
- Search for and connect with people on LinkedIn who’ve moved from your current industry into the one you're aiming for. Reach out with a genuine message and ask for a quick chat.
- Attend free or low-cost local networking events, webinars, or industry meetups. Even just one conversation can shift your thinking.
- Share your goals with your existing network. You never know who knows someone in your target field.
- Read real-life career-change success stories to see how others navigated their career change and what helped them most.
Cyber Security is booming sector for career pivoters
Nearly 17,000 cybersecurity roles are currently open across the UK, with the sector growing at 10–12% annually, making it one of the most accessible and futureproof options for career changers
4. Plan for Training and Upskilling
Now that you’ve narrowed down your career direction, the next step is getting qualified. Many careers in tech and project management don’t require a degree, but you will need up-to-date training or certifications to stand out.
The good news? There are flexible, affordable routes that fit around your life, even if you’re still working full time.
Focus on what’s essential to get your foot in the door. You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with entry-level certifications that give you credibility and confidence, and build from there. Make sure the training you choose is recognised in the industry and designed for career changers, not just graduates or full-time students.
Specific Actions for Planning the Training and Upskilling You Need to Change Career:
- Identify the must-have certifications or training for your chosen role. Look at job listings to see what employers ask for.
- Research course providers that offer flexible learning (e.g., remote, part-time, self-paced) and financing options.
- Compare at least two or three providers on price, support, and industry recognition before committing.
- Speak to a specialist career consultant in your chosen field. We offer free advice to help you find the right course, and we’ll typically be in touch within one working day.
- Map out a learning schedule that fits realistically with your work and personal life, even if it’s just 5–10 hours a week to start.
5. Create a Career-Change-Friendly CV, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn
Your CV is likely going to need more than a quick update; it needs a total rethink, or to be started again from scratch.
Something I tell job seekers all the time when I’m advising them: a CV for changing career will look quite different from your standard resume. When you're changing careers, your application documents have to clearly show why you're making the move and how your existing skills transfer into this new space. Employers won’t connect the dots for you; you need to do that for them.
This doesn’t mean pretending to be something you’re not. It means reframing your experience in a way that speaks directly to what the employer needs.
A career-change CV typically leads with transferable skills, relevant training, and a short personal statement that explains your motivation and career shift.
Specific Actions for Creating a Career-Change-Friendly CV:
- Start fresh with a blank document. It will probably be easier to build a clear narrative for your career change this way.
- Lead with a short, confident personal statement that explains your new direction and enthusiasm for the industry.
- Highlight transferable skills from your previous roles that are directly relevant to your new target role.
- Focus your LinkedIn profile around your future goals, not just your past roles. Update your headline and summary accordingly.
- Remember: all Learning People students get free lifetime access to our Career Services team, including 1:1 CV and LinkedIn support.
6. Apply! Prepare to Talk About Your Career Change in Interviews
Once your CV and LinkedIn are ready, it’s time to start applying. But as a career changer, interviews will feel a bit different.
You’ll likely be asked why you’re switching industries, what makes you a good fit, and whether you’re really committed to starting over in a new field.
The key is to own your story. Be honest, clear, and positive about why you’re making this move, and how your past experiences bring value. Employers aren’t looking for a perfect background; they’re looking for people who are motivated, self-aware, and ready to learn.
Specific Actions for Applying and Preparing for Interviews as a Career Changer:
- Prepare a short, confident explanation of why you’re changing careers. Practice saying it out loud until it feels natural.
- Highlight relevant skills, qualifications, and achievements in your applications, even if they come from a different industry.
- Be ready to talk about gaps or shifts in your CV. Don’t apologise for them, but explain what you’ve done to prepare for the new role.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to show how your past experience translates into value in your new career.
- Ask a friend or career advisor to run a mock interview with you. Learning People students can access free interview prep as part of our career services.
Kirsten's advice for job interviews after a career change:
"When interviewing after a career change, focus on highlighting your transferable skills - such as communication or problem-solving - and clearly link them to the role you’ve applied for.
Be ready to explain the why and how's of your career change journey. Show enthusiasm for the sector you're entering by researching your potential employer beforehand. Emphasise the new skills and/or certifications you’ve gained, and how these make you a great fit for the role.
Most importantly, present your career pivot as what it is: a strength! Newbies bring a fresh prescriptive that employers often really appreciate. Apply the same motivation you had to pursue a new career to your new job interviews."
Final Career Change Advice – We’re Here to Help
I’ll be honest with you: changing careers isn’t quick or easy. But with the right steps, it’s absolutely achievable. Get clear on what you want, research realistic roles, build a support network, invest in the right training, and tailor your CV and interview prep for your new path.
The process can feel overwhelming at times, but you’re not on your own. Our career consultants are here to guide you through every stage. Just reach out when you’re ready to take that first step.
