5 steps for a successful career change

Many people dismiss the opportunity of a career change because they underestimate the qualities and skills they have to offer. However, at a point where IT skills shortages are a growing issue within the UK, now is the time to know your qualities, assess your goals and jump at the opportunities.

If you’re considering a career change, simply follow the tips below and make your move;

1. Evaluate
   If you are seriously thinking about moving your career in a different direction, a good starting point is to really think about what’s important to you in a career, and what you like and dislike e. g. Are you a Sales Consultant by day and a web developer by night? You’ll be surprised what skills you’ve achieved through your hobbies and interests.
2. Research
   Find out more about the industry you want to go into – look into training opportunities, professional association bodies, leading employers and vacant job roles. This will give you an idea of what training and qualifications you may need, and the types of jobs and levels that are available, mapping out your five-year plan.
3. Network
   Speak to the people doing the job you want. Not only will you make key contacts, but you’ll get a feel for the type of people you could be working with, and the day-to-day activities expected of you.
4. Learn more
   There are many free webinars, seminars and on-line courses available to start developing your knowledge and skills. This is a key way to demonstrate your commitment and work ethic to any prospective employers.
5. Establish a relationship with a reputable recruitment agency
   Build a working relationship with those who specialise in the industry you want to be in. Recruitment consultants can recognise key skills and personality traits to match you to the right industry and role; they will advise you on how to write your CV so it’s industry specific, selling your capabilities to potential employers.

This is exactly what Swansea-based Stewart Smith did who is now working as a Junior Software Developer.

Originally an Engineer, Stewart contacted Acorn for advice on a career in IT. He had no IT qualifications or professional experience but decided he would be best placed within the IT sector. Straight away we were inspired by his energy, enthusiasm and determination to make it within this complicated field, and we were even more impressed by his preparation to kick-start this career change.

Once Stewart made the choice to join the IT sector, he spent hours every day researching and learning about the industry, and had a clear view of what he wanted when we met him. The determination Stewart showed is something that we believe all candidates need to illustrate in a very tough employment market.

With the rise of online courses, and particularly within the IT sector with tech meetups and hackathons, there is now an unbelievable platform to build skills outside the working environment. People such as Stewart have the opportunity to gain skills, opinions and experiences that five-years ago never existed. With hard work and sheer commitment, candidates can reap the rewards of fantastic salaries, increased technology exposure and untapped career opportunities.

Referencing his change of career, Stewart Smith said:

“I always knew I was a techy at heart and I began to realise in the last two years that I was progressing into a career that had minimal opportunities. I realised I needed to make a change quickly. My childhood and even parts of my physics degree, involved playing with computers – whether it was games or brief experiences with programming languages so I knew I had a chance if I just applied myself.

“Acorn provided me with a fantastic opportunity that I was determined not to miss so I did everything in my own time to make sure I was prepared and capable of succeeding. When Acorn called to say that they had a client that was willing to interview me, I didn’t look back and spent the next four days teaching myself the required spec technologies.