Questions to ask before making a career change

What is it about your present/last job that is making you consider a career change?

• Is it the nature of the job, or the people you work with?
• Is it due to a lack of opportunity within the company?
• Is it management or organisational practices?
• Has there been major reorganisation? Is change being forced on you?

Answering these questions will clarify your reasons for wanting to change career and help you assess how much change you’re seeking.

What aspects of your career do you want to change?

Do you want to

• achieve a better work–life balance
• earn a higher salary
• gain more independence
• feel you are making a more tangible contribution to society?

Focusing on the aspects you want to change will help you to identify your career options.

Try this activity from the Open University's T161 course (module) to help you understand how important work is to you and  identify your priorities. You will need to use your OUCU and password to access this page.

It may be useful to have a personal development plan that details your preferences, your goals and your plans for achieving them.

If you are in work, you can use your appraisal system to discuss aspects of your job that are important to you and ones that you want to change, rather than resorting to changing career. 

Are you prepared to invest time and money in training?

A career change usually involves training for new qualifications or to top up existing ones. Consider how long it will take to qualify, how much this will cost in terms of money and your personal time and energy.

Career development loans are bank loans available in the UK, of between £300 and £10000, that can be used to pay for study or training. The loan can be repaid once you have completed your study.

Please note: The Open University has withdrawn from the Career Development Loan Scheme so students will not be able to pay for OU study with a CDL.

Loans and grants are available for full or part-time degree study, depending on your circumstances. There are funding schemes available in England and Wales, Scotland, or Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Many OU students qualify for some kind of financial support.  

Are you prepared to take a drop in salary?

While you will be able to use your transferable skills in your new career, you may have to consider starting in a role that has less responsibility and a lower salary. Can you afford to do this in the short, medium or long term?

Do you have the support of those close to you?

The changes you make will affect those around you, and by discussing the implications of changing career you can ensure you have support and encouragement when you need it.

Useful resources

• If you are a current or former OU student you can request a career consultation to discuss your plans.
• Whether your circumstances are dictating a change or you are driving it yourself, try a skills health check to help you assess your situation and make informed decisions.  An alternative is to take a life fitness check  which includes a look at your attitudes and values
• The OU’s Make your experience count is a 16-week course (module) that draws on your past learning experiences and teaches you how to analyse and reflect on these experiences, take stock of your skills and plan for your personal and career development.
• The University of Derby’s Do something different takes you through the steps in making a change of career.
• The Prospects website, aimed at graduates seeking employment, provides information on occupational profiles, sectors, future trends and other sources of information.
• If you are an OU student, the Careers Advisory Service site offers some useful resources. In the publications section you can find the Career planning and job seeking workbook, which guides you through a career review and possible choices.
• The career planning section helps you to relate your thinking and planning to your goals.
• Use an action plan to set targets and monitor progress.