What is a career transition or professional reconversion

Professional reconversion is the process by which a person decides to change career or field of activity after working in a specific sector for a certain period of time. Several factors can motivate such a decision, such as the desire to find more satisfying work, the urge to explore new opportunities, the need to adapt to economic or technological changes, or even personal circumstances such as health or family. Career transition can involve going back to school to acquire new skills or certifications, further training in a different field, or simply a gradual transition into a new sector by capitalizing on skills and experience acquired in the past. It's an often complex and demanding process, but one that can also be highly rewarding both personally and professionally!

Why change your career path?

There are many reasons why employees change their jobs. A lack of satisfaction or fulfillment in one's current job. Some individuals may feel the need to take on new challenges or develop new skills that are not available in their current job. Life events such as moving to a new region, changing family obligations or health problems. Changes in the economy or industry can make certain jobs obsolete or less attractive. Personal passions and interests sometimes evolve over time, and a career change can be a way of keeping up with these changes. Some people may seek a career change for the opportunity of a higher salary or better working conditions. After gaining professional experience in a particular field, some people may realize they want to explore other areas that better match their interests and values.

Evaluate your professional situation

One of the first steps in a retraining initiative is to determine what your current situation is, so you can understand why you feel such a desire for change. What aspects of your job do you enjoy and which ones do you dislike? Does your lack of interest come from your job, the company culture or your colleagues? Remind yourself of professional experiences, volunteering or any other projects that have brought you tremendous satisfaction in the past. Identify the positive points that led you to choose your current industry and the points that, on the contrary, make you want to distance yourself from it. If your job doesn’t correspond to your talents and passions, it is unsurprising that you want to reposition yourself.

How do you know what field to retrain in?

Auto-assess your skills

Identify your skills, strengths and interests. What are the areas in which you excel? What subjects are you passionate about and would like to explore further? An honest self-assessment of your skills and preferences can guide you towards potential areas for retraining.

Consider new fields for your career transition

Give your old noggin a workout and start researching to find career alternatives. Discuss your new goals with family, friends, and networking contacts. They will be able to inform your thinking and narrow down your transition choices. You can compare several jobs that interest you. To do this, don’t hesitate to consult job offers, as you can approach this step with precise targets in mind. This will allow you to assess whether your career expectations match the salary, experience or skills required for the desired positions.

Test your interest in new areas of business

Try to get in touch with people who are already working in the industries that interest you. Even a summary discussion with a person who has experience in the field could shed new and honest light on the type of job being sought. Tagging along with a worker who has a position you are interested in, whether for a few hours or a few days, could also give you a good idea of ​​what a typical day in their professional life involves. If this ends up confirming your interest, you are on the right track. Identify volunteer opportunities related to your career transition goals. You will be able to test your competence and your level of curiosity towards the job.

Explore market opportunities

Find out about job market trends and growth sectors. Which fields offer promising prospects and job opportunities? Employment information and growth projections can help guide your retraining choices.

How to make a career transition

You need to be aware that professional retraining will involve consequent changes, also in your personal life. It's a major rethinking process.

1. The aim is to fill gaps

A professional reorientation takes place in a career path that you generally want to change as a result of certain pitfalls or blocking factors. Identify what was deeply disturbing you in your job and what you'd like to (re)find in your next career. If you had a job in finance, do you still love it? Would you like to change jobs because you'd like to feel more useful, that your job has a more meaningful purpose? Do you have higher salary expectations today, and your industry doesn't allow you access to that kind of income?

2. Set yourself measurable goals

Precise objectives act as guideposts, guiding your path to a new career in a more structured and effective way. To define them, start by clearly envisioning what you want to achieve in your new career path. These goals should be specific, concrete and aligned with your long-term vision. For example, instead of simply saying "I want to change careers", specify "I want to obtain certification in my new field within six months" or "I aim to land a job in this specific sector by the end of the year". These objectives need to be measurable, so that you can evaluate your progress in a tangible way. This can be done by defining clear criteria for measuring your success, such as the number of courses taken, the skill level achieved, or the number of job interviews obtained. The importance of measurable goals lies in their ability to keep you motivated and committed throughout your career transition. With clear, precise objectives, you have a framework for planning your actions and tracking your progress. Nothing could be more encouraging and motivating!

3. Analyze and develop the skills required for your new career

Investigate course or seminar opportunities that could help link your current experience to a new field of activity. Obtaining a diploma or certification can act as a measure of competence, while proving your commitment to the position in question. Try to find a way to get ahead by developing new abilities in your current job. These skills could pave the way for additional tasks and facilitate your career change. Remember that over time, you have developed specialized knowledge related to your current industry. This knowledge will be more valued in an area of ​​employment related to your own. This gives you the opportunity to start on a higher rung of the ladder by considering a new position in the same industry.

4. Be a seasoned job seeker

When you feel ready to apply for a job in a new field, make sure your cover letter reflects your aspirations. As for your CV, it should reflect your soft skills and hard skills, and be reoriented towards your new objectives. In this way, you'll be able to leverage your professional skills for the benefit of your budding career. It's always trickier to sell yourself when you're new to a sector, especially if you're older. But it's not impossible! Are you prepared for an interview? Will you be able to highlight your experience, gained in another profession and in life, the one that will set you apart from other junior profiles lacking experience altogether?

Succeed in your career change with Fed Group!

Do you have any questions about career transition opportunities, or would you like to receive support in your job search? The Fed Finance team is here to help you find the job that's right for you! Are you looking for a job in accounting or a related sector? You can also post your unsolicited application, as we're even open to helping profiles undergoing professional retraining find their dream job! 😊