Making a Career Change During Covid-19: Important Things to Consider First

By Claire Adams

Unhappy with your job? Changing careers might be the furthest thing from your mind right now during a global pandemic. Nobody would blame you for trying to hold on to your job during these trying times. However, it also doesn't mean you can’t start doing your research now for when the job market improves.

That said, there is no denying that changing careers is never easy. It can be daunting to leave a job you know so well and embark on a completely new journey. One wrong move could cost you your livelihood and set you back considerably. Before you consider making a career change during Covid-19, let's take a look at seven of the most important things you need to think about.

1. Consider where this need for a career change during Covid-19 is coming from

Before you start looking for new career opportunities, you should take a step back to analyze the internal processes driving the need for change. If you don't identify your primary drivers first, you risk making the wrong career choice and putting your professional life in jeopardy. After all, maybe you're not sick and tired of your career—maybe you just don't like working from home.

If that's the case, then you don't need to change careers, you need to find a way to adapt to the remote work lifestyle. On the other hand, if your primary movers are coming from a place of dissatisfaction and a feeling of emptiness, then you definitely should start looking at other career paths.

Keep in mind that even fresh college graduates are struggling to find full-time employment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so you need to be extremely diligent and honest with yourself when embarking on this path. To start, you will need to assess your skills and strengths but also be wary of any potential risks and downfalls along the way. This leads us into the next important point.

2. Assess your innate skills and strengths

The great thing about the skills and strengths you possess is that they can always be expanded and supplemented over time. In other words, the skills and strengths you have now might be enough to launch you into a new career, but you also might need to upskill. In fact, upskilling is one of the best ways to grow professionally in your sector as well as transition to other industries quickly.

You can start by running a personal SWOT analysis. Make a list of your strengths and skills to see how they fit into other industries and careers. Sometimes, you will need to advance the skills you already have, not learn new ones.

Next, list some of your weaknesses and the areas where you know you could stand to improve. Check if these weaknesses pertain to the industries you're interested in. Prioritize your weaknesses so that you know which ones to tackle first.

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It's also important to research opportunities for career advancement and professional success in those industries. Try to find a unique angle that will set you apart or make you indispensable to the top employers in those fields.

Of course, you also need to identify any short-, mid-, and long-term threats that lurk in those industries and careers. The last thing you want is to make a career change during Covid-19 only to realize that the industry is going through an economic downturn.

Make sure to monitor the trends and forecasts to discover the most lucrative opportunities and see which industries are on the rise.

3. Consider what jobs are in high demand right now

Speaking of industries that are stable and even thriving, one of the most important considerations is the long-term potential for professional growth and financial gain. You need to be looking for career paths that are lucrative and in high demand. That said, you also need to look for careers and sectors that will imbue your life with a sense of purpose and true happiness.

It's important to weigh several factors at the same time to find those industries that allow you to find your purpose, earn a decent living, and grow. Remember that without one of these pillars, you are bound to one day end up back in this same spot. You need to have all three in order to thrive.

4. Set clear goals for your professional growth

Of course, in order to map your road to success in a different field, you need to set clear long-term goals. With reverse engineering you can set an end goal and work your way back to map out the road ahead. After all, when you have a clear goal in mind, you'll have an easier time staying on the right course.

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals is also one of the best ways to avoid making mistakes along the way. It's easy to start upskilling in the wrong direction or to invest in the wrong certifications if you don't have a clear idea of what you're trying to accomplish.

Instead of wasting valuable time and financial resources, be sure to ask yourself what you want and are able to achieve professionally in the years to come. Compare your goals with the education, training, and certification requirements in the industry, and then prioritize in order of relevance and investment. This is a calculated, goal-driven approach that will ensure you stay on the right track every step of the way.

5. Take a look at available training courses

The digital revolution has brought many wonderful changes to our modern way of life. One of them is the ability to access the global knowledge pool with a push of a button. Nowadays, you can find free, credible knowledge sources all around the web that can help you improve your skills and expand your own knowledge base.

Taking advantage of available courses, workshops, and free content is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a quick and successful career change during Covid-19 or at any time. What's more, keep in mind that nowadays even Ivy League schools offer free online classes.

This doesn't mean that you can get a degree from Harvard by attending its online classes, but it does mean you will get a top-notch education for free. This is a kind of golden opportunity that can skyrocket your career and help you transition into a completely new field of work without too much hassle.

6. Know the kind of certifications you'll need

During your research, it is essential to know what kind of certifications can set you apart in the eyes of potential employers. Some industries allow you to find stable employment without any special certifications, but there are some jobs which require more than skills and experience.

Mind you, getting certified will cost you, so you don't want to make the mistake of picking up a certification that doesn't pertain to the exact field you're interested in. What's more, you have to make sure that you're getting your certification from the right organization.

There are many scammers out there, so you'll need to read up on honest customer reviews and research the certification providers before getting in touch. Don't forget to check if you'll need to get recertified in a couple of years or if you're able to get a lifetime certification as well.

7. Get in touch with successful people in the industry

Last but not least, don't begin your transition into a new industry or career in general without getting in touch with successful people from those fields. There's nothing like getting firsthand accounts of how it is to work long term in a particular field, so it's important to network and connect with other professionals first.

Pick their brains for ideas and advice, ask them to speak candidly about their profession, and see what you can do to speed up your transition. This can also be a great way to gain valuable contacts that will push you forward and put you in front of the top employers in your new industry. 

Making a career change during Covid-19 is possible

Even though the future may seem bleak right now, that doesn't mean you're stuck in a dead-end job forever. Use these tips to find your preferred career path and set yourself up for long-term success and happiness.

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