IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START A NEW CAREER ... AND HERE’S HOW

THE pandemic has turned the jobs market upside down.

Previously stable industries are on the brink of mass layoffs, while some smaller sectors are now struggling to keep up with an unexpected surge in demand.

A veteran hospitality or travel sector worker, for example, may feel they have no option but to look elsewhere if they are made redundant.

Meanwhile, lockdown has also given employees the chance to reassess the path they are on.

Around 70 pc of workers are now more likely to consider a career change, according to Totaljobs.

Encouragingly, the job site says more than half of those who have switched careers after losing their job this year are happy with the change.

Here Money Mail explains how you can make the leap, too...

WHERE SHOULD I START?

KEEP it focused. Career change specialists Careershifters says you can start with small, daily actions. Take ten minutes on a commute or lunch break to email a contact who works in a field of interest, or find a relevant online course. Don’t take a scattergun approach to your search; do a deep dive into a handful of areas.

CAN I AFFORD TO DO IT?

A CHANGE of direction can mean taking a hit on your salary. You must be prepared to start from the bottom. Recruitment firm Reed recommends researching salary expectations for your new career so you can adjust your finances accordingly.

HOW DO I FIND MY CALLING?

‘DON’T get hung up on trying to find a calling, or your “one big passion”,’ says Natasha Stanley, head coach at Careershifters. ‘Talk to people in industries that interest you to find out what their work is really like. Get out into the real world.

‘Try a workshop in something that’s always intrigued you. Do things that are different from what you’ve been doing up to this point. This will help you discover new career possibilities.’

WHAT IF I HAVE NO CONTACTS?

YOU might be surprised. Check LinkedIn and old acqaintances. Tap into your network’s network by asking friends and family for introductions. Industry events, both online and in person, can also be helpful.

WILL MY SKILLS TRANSFER?

THE more you learn about an industry, the more likely you are to know whether you are a good fit. Network and take advantage of any free online courses that will give you a taste for it. It will also enhance your CV. Reed recommends making a list of your skills and experience and research potential roles that may fit.

Almost 70 pc of workers who have started new careers since the pandemic say the skills they already had have been of use, according to Totaljobs.

WILL I NEED TO RE-TRAIN?

ONCE you have identified a role that you want, speak to the National Careers Service to find out what qualifications you need for your new path. There are often free courses, or companies might fund your training if they think you have potential.

But Ms Stanley says many jobs don’t need you to invest time and money in retraining. She adds: ‘Often, a passion for the industry and a willingness to learn will suffice.’