Holding Back From a Career Change? Here's Why You Shouldn't!

Realizing why you're holding back from a career change can be a liberating experience. It can be the tipping point in your career journey. It can help you gain enough motivation to make a successful change.

The fact is career changes are a normal part of life. The average person changes careers 5 to 7 times in their working life. If you're still yet to make your first switch, there might be something wrong.

To confront the reasons you’re holding back from a career change, you need to first put your finger on it. Here are potential barriers to a successful career change.

Download Uvaro's Official Career Change Guide

Change your mindset

Your mind is a powerful tool. It can work for you or against you in ways you wouldn't expect. If you're struggling to make a career change, it could be that you haven't adopted the right type of mindset.

Confront your fear of failure

One of the reasons people stick to the same uninspiring jobs is that they're afraid of the unknown. They don't want to fail and face the associated embarrassment.

Venturing into an unfamiliar career makes them feel vulnerable and exposed. It's important to realize that failure is normal in any career journey. It's how you handle failure that makes the difference.

Believe in yourself

Everyone has their insecurities and doubts. When it comes to career changes, these feelings can become magnified. You could start to question your abilities and whether you're cut out for a new job.

Understand that it's normal to feel this way when making major life decisions. The key is having enough faith in yourself to take action despite the fear and doubt. They might be the reason you’re holding back from a career change.

Break perfectionist paralysis

The need to do things can be one of the biggest reasons you’re holding back from a career change. Perfectionists tend to focus more on what could go wrong. They downplay what's possible with their goals and ambitions. Realize that achieving Career Success doesn't mean perfection.

It requires commitment, hard work, and a willingness to take risks. Try to always strive for progress, not perfection.

Stay in the moment

It's easy to live in the past when making a career switch. Don't let your history of successes and failures hold you back from taking new chances.

You can't let your past limit your current potential for success. Embrace it instead as an invaluable source of insight and experience that make you who you are today.

Take action

Procrastination is a common problem. Especially when you're scared of making the wrong decision. The truth is, you can never make a perfect choice.

All decisions carry an element of risk. Once it's clear what you need to do, take action immediately. Don't let your fear of making the wrong decision paralyze you and delay progress.

Upgrade your knowledge and skills

Every career change requires a certain set of hard skills and soft skills. If you don't have the relevant skills for your target career, you're at a massive disadvantage. Identify any areas that need improvement in your toolkit. Then develop an action plan for how you're going to fill those gaps.

Take Relevant Courses or Classes

You can often find free or low-cost courses online related to your target career, or you can take many of these courses at any time to fit your schedule. You can also look into job-specific certifications that add credibility to your resume.

Or you could also go through our Career Change Guide. This resource gives you solid direction on how to break into your target career.

Read Books Written by Industry Experts

This is a great way to gain insight into the field you're targeting. The authors often outline the key elements of their Career Success. They also speak to their failures, which can be invaluable in helping you make your own decisions.

Network with Relevant People

Build connections within the industry by meeting new people in the industry. This puts you in contact with potential mentors. It might also lead you to your future employers. You don't know who might have opportunities available down the line.

There are many platforms online where you can find networking events. Sign up for events specific to your target field.

Fight against societal pressure

Society can be unforgiving when it comes to career changes. Your family, friends, and even strangers may try to discourage you from making a switch. This pressure can come in the form of jokes, subtle jabs, or direct criticism.

Things are especially difficult if you hold a senior position at your current job. You may feel like you have to make a choice between security and the pursuit of your dreams.

Surround Yourself With Cheerleaders

Find friends, peers, and mentors who are willing to support you during this journey. They may have gone through a similar experience. Or they can at least be sympathetic to what you're going through. This will be an invaluable source of encouragement and advice if and when things get tough.

Find Positive Role Models

Look for successful people in your target career who can serve as role models for how to make it work. Having real-life examples of success will motivate you to keep pushing forward. Especially when times get hard.

Intentionally Disconnect

Take a break from the pressure and criticism. Disconnect from things that are holding you back. Social media can be a huge source of stress. You might have discouraging family or friends. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others.

Distance yourself enough from things that are bogging you down. Don't let others affect your progress!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

The key is to stay focused on why you decided to make the career change in the first place. Keeping this front of mind will help remind you why you're making this move. It will give you the motivation to persevere.

Face your financial insecurity head on

Your job provides you with financial security. Leaving it to embark on uncharted career paths can feel like a risk. It's important to consider the financial implications before making the leap. Luckily, there are ways you can feel prepared for a move.

Develop an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is a set of funds set aside for unexpected expenses. It can help cover dips in income when you make a career switch. Having one gives you peace of mind. Knowing that if something goes wrong, you have backup money to help see you through it.

Ideally, you need to have up to 6 months' worth of expenses saved up. This way, you can focus on your transition without money being the deciding factor.

Make Cutting Expenses Part of Your Routine

Be mindful of where your money is going as you switch careers. Find ways to reduce or cut non-essential expenses whenever possible. Making small changes will help you make more room in your budget for career-related costs.

Look Into Side Gigs

Side gigs are a great way to supplement your income while still holding down your current job. You can start by looking for jobs in the evenings and weekends. Find somewhere where you can use your existing skill set or learn something new.

Popular options include freelancing, tutoring, or even pet-sitting. With a side gig, you can make extra money while still holding down your day job.

Research Financial Aid Options

There are countless grants and scholarships available for YOU. Research potential options to see if any apply to your situation.

Take advantage of these opportunities! They can help offset the costs associated with your transition in a major way.

Let Uvaro Help You Confront the Reasons You’re Holding Back From a Career Change

Changing careers can be daunting, but it can also be rewarding. Consider all the potential roadblocks. Are you holding back from a career change because of them?

Kickstart your career change by facing them head-on.
If you're entering your career change phase, let Uvaro help make the journey a successful one for you. Our learning program equips you with all you need to build a thriving career.

Download our Career Success Catalog today! Learn how we can help you make the career switch of your dreams.