The biggest fear most people express is their belief that a career change means a big pay cut and, therefore, a poorer lifestyle. This belief is based on an assumption that a career change means starting over from scratch. Not so.
Fear of pay cut is a feeling not a fact.
The fact is that there are so many job opportunities in our current economy, up to 90,000 job titles and more being added each day with new and expanding industries. Plus, there is a shortage of workers in most sectors. Workers with skills and experience are in high demand, which means they are commanding higher salaries. It’s important to investigate a career change target for facts. Then develop a plan to optimize your chances of achieving a career change that results in no pay cut.
Focus on assets not liabilities.
Nobody is starting over. There is no substitute for work or life experience. In my 30 years as a career professional, I’ve found that most individuals underestimate their true market value, especially when it comes to the soft skills that they’ve acquired, such as problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, communication, and teamwork. Many of them have also acquired other transferable skills, such as knowledge or experience in administration, management, marketing, accounting, training, or finance. In most cases, any deficit they have in terms of subject matter expertise or technical skill can usually be overcome in relatively short order with on-the-job experience or a micro-credential because most career changers have learned how to learn, often quickly and easily.
Get support.
A career change requires a plan and support to execute that plan. Career changers need encouragement and emotional support, especially from family and friends. But they also benefit from professional help to guide them through the different stages of change:
- how to reposition and repackage their value proposition;
- how to navigate the job market;
- how to communicate their value proposition in an interview with a hiring manager;
- and, how to negotiate a better compensation package.