Tips to Make a Smooth Successful Career Change
If you are considering transitioning to a career in creative jobs in 2023, you’re not alone. Research has shown that many people are seeking more meaningful work that offers them greater job satisfaction. In fact, a lack of meaningful work has been cited by almost a third of quitters as the major reason for changing jobs.
A career in the creative industry offers many benefits. It’s a growing industry and thought to be largely immune from automation. Creative roles can command high salaries, too. But what many people in creative jobs like most is the meaningful work they do and the variety in each day.
Do you have what it takes to create a successful and satisfying career in creative jobs?
How do you transition from your current role and industry into the creative field?
Why Do You Want to Move Into a Creative Role?
The first step in transitioning to a creative career is to define your motivation for doing so. What is it that you don’t enjoy in your current role, and what are you seeking from a change? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do I find my work boring or frustrating?
- Am I seeking opportunities for career advancement?
- Do I feel underpaid, or undervalued?
- Do I want the opportunity to work more flexibly and/or remotely?
- Is a better work/life balance a priority for me?
- Do I want to do more meaningful work?
Understanding your motivations will help you to make the right choice when transitioning into a creative career and help you remain focused throughout the process.
What Are Your Career Goals?
Okay, so you know why you wish to quit your current role. The question now is, what do you really want from a career change?
Career goals usually depend upon your personal and professional aspirations. Typically, they will fall into the following categories:
- Financial
- Work/life balance
- Employee experience
- Professional growth
Changing your career path may require you to budget your finances as you grow into your new career.
If quality of life is your overriding goal, then you’ll need to consider what this looks like to you – remote work, flexible hours, the opportunity to travel, etc.?
If a more rewarding and meaningful employee experience is your aim, then you’ll need to consider the company you will be working with, their culture, values, and mission.
You may also wish to explore opportunities for training and career advancement.
Is a Creative Role Right for You?
Creative talents are in high demand right now. Companies are keen to hire people with creative ability – abstract thinkers who are problem solvers with critical thinking skills. As our society evolves, and with the emergence of AI technologies, companies are seeking innovative solutions to a myriad of challenges.
Do You Possess the Transferrable Skills Needed for Creative Jobs?
There are a few skills that will help to make you desirable for creative roles. If you can demonstrate these on your resume and in your interviews, you’ll be well on your way to receiving an exciting job offer.
Of course, different skills and strengths will apply to separate roles and industries, but you should be able to demonstrate that you possess the following abilities:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Effective communication skills
- Autonomy and accountability
- Good organization and prioritization skills
What Skills Do You Need to Add to Your Resume?
Once you have identified your transferrable skills, you’ll need to focus on the skills you need to enter the specific roles you are seeking. These will be more technical, hard skills – such as using specific hardware and software. You may need to take classes and become certificated – this will help you become a preferred candidate.
Think About How Your Life Will Change
Before making the move, you should also consider how your life will change. Transitioning a career may mean spending longer hours in training, working away from home, or working from home. We always advise career transitioners to speak with their family about changing career, so that everyone is prepared for the life changes that are likely to happen (short term and long term).
Update Your Resume
Now that you are certain of your decision to transition into creative jobs, it’s time to update your resume:
- Highlight your existing skills and experience in different ways so they apply to your new field
- Write an objective statement that explains your career goals and what you can bring to the industry
- Demote/remove ‘fluff’ – experience and qualifications that don’t apply to the roles you wish to apply for
Partner With a Specialist Staffing Agency
Registering with a specialist staffing agency can help you transition to a creative job more easily.
We have extensive experience in helping career transitioners with their resumes, promoting them into a new industry/role, preparing them for interviews, and providing temporary roles to develop experience, as well as contract-to-permanent roles.
Transitioning to a creative career in 2023 should be exciting and rewarding. However, it requires careful planning, preparation, and dedication. With the right mindset and approach, and our help, you can turn your desire for more meaningful and satisfying work into a fulfilling career.
Get the ball rolling to a new career in creative jobs. Submit your resume to TECHEAD today.