Not everyone stays happy in the career they originally chose for themselves. Maybe you don’t feel fulfilled at work, or perhaps you just found a new interest. Whether you decide to look into a construction career or move away from it, you should not feel intimidated by the idea of making a career change. It can be challenging, but it is possible.

Figure Out Why You Want a Career Change 

Before you start a career change, think about why you want to take that step in the first place. Do you dislike your place of work? Do you not like the job you do?

The answer will help you determine if you want to make a career change. Maybe you just need a job with good construction leadership or with a more competitive salary.

If you decide that you want to change your career, then keep reading.

Get Creative When Gaining Experience for Your Career Change

 No matter the career you want to switch to, you likely need to have the experience to get the job. You don’t have to take the traditional route to gain experience and skills. You can get creative. Instead of attending classes, consider reading books in your spare time. Look for online courses on relevant topics. Look for volunteer positions that relate to your goals.

With the current skilled labor crisis, many employers care more about what skills you have than how you got them.

Know the Requirements for Your Career Change

While that is the case for many jobs, keep in mind that many will still require certification, licensure, or specific education. Make sure you know these requirements early on, so you can come up with a plan to achieve them.

Use Your Past Experience in Your New Career

Just because you completely changed careers, that doesn’t mean that your past experience no longer applies. Many skills are transferable; you just have to get creative about what they are. For example, you can apply your past leadership experience in a construction leadership role. Or apply your time management, interpersonal, or other skills.

Try Making a Slow Career Change

 It can be tempting to say you want a career change and go for it all at once. However, most people find that it is easier to make the change slowly. This gives you time to gain experience in your new field. It also helps prevent burnout.

As a bonus, it lets you stay in your current job until you are ready to start the transition. That, in turn, gives you job security and a steady income.

Always Move Toward Your New Career Goals

 While you want to make your career change slowly, you also want to make consistent progress toward it. The best way to do this is by taking small steps. As you take those steps, don’t focus on whether they are perfect. Remember that this is new to you, and you will learn. One of the great things about focusing on taking small steps is seeing you’re making progress towards your new career goals. This should give you extra motivation to continue.

How can we help you?

Searching for an opportunity in the construction industry? Contact The Birmingham Group’s team of seasoned commercial construction recruiters today to discuss your career path or browse our open positions.

Are you a hiring authority in need of construction talent? Submit a search request today.