Career pivoting has become an increasingly popular trend over the past few years, and in 2023 many professionals are looking to change careers completely.

There are several key reasons for this, some of the biggest being ongoing economic uncertainty, record-breaking workplace stress, and an epidemic of professional burnout. What’s more, technologies such as artificial intelligence are disrupting the workforce and making the future feel uncertain for many.

If you’ve found yourself feeling dissatisfied, stressed, or concerned about the future security of your position, it might be time to make a change.

However, pivoting your career can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’ve been in your position or industry for a long time. The good news is, there are several simple steps you can take to navigate your career transition and thrive in a new field, whatever it may be.

1. CONDUCT A CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT

A career self-assessment is all about gathering information about yourself and reflecting on who you are and what you’ve achieved in order to make informed career decisions. This process should help you identify your motivations, passions, and what matters to you in a job so that you can see which other careers might suit you.

There are online assessments you can take, or you can seek advice from career counselors, family, friends, or other professionals you trust. I recommend completing more than one assessment, perhaps in different formats, to help you narrow down potential career choices and make informed decisions.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Transferable skills, as the name suggests, can easily transfer from one job to another. These tend to be soft skills, such as communication, organization, leadership, etc. However, they can also be hard skills like data analysis, knowing a foreign language, or being able to use popular platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Docs.

Recruiters typically consider only résumés that contain at least 50% of the skill requirements for any given job posting. So when you’re thinking about a career overhaul, one of the most daunting prospects is starting from the bottom and having to master new skills. But if you take the time to identify your transferable skills, you’ll quickly see how talented you are and find roles that match your existing skill set and catch recruiters’ attention.

3. KEEP LEARNING

Even when you’re at the top of your game as a CEO or senior manager, you should never stop learning and growing. This is even more important when you’re seeking to make a career change.

Trying new things can be intimidating, but it’s important to find opportunities to learn and take on new training. This could be done through online courses, shadowing, or workplace training—anything that helps you boost your knowledge, learn new skills, and feel confident and excited about your future.

4. NETWORK STRATEGICALLY

You spend your career building your professional network, a network that you can utilize for advice, mentorship, information, job opportunities, and so much more. But what happens to this network when you switch careers? Is it gone? Is it suddenly useless and now you have to start all over again building a new network?

Luckily, your hard work will not go to waste. If you are strategic, you can continue to grow and expand your existing network, shaping it to reflect your new career.

Start by speaking with trusted members of your current network, letting them know about your plans to make a career move. They might be able to connect you with others already in the industry. You should also attend professional events, talk to as many people as you can to get your name out there, and explain your career in a positive way. LinkedIn is an easy way to reach out to people in your industry, connect with new colleagues, and evolve your existing network.

5. SET NEW GOALS FOR YOURSELF

Finally, as you move toward a new career, you need to set new goals for yourself. This will keep you focused, motivated, and accountable.

For example, you might wish to earn a certification or promotion by a set date. You might hope to add a certain number of new people to your network. Or you could set yourself the task of mastering a new platform or technology. Take some time to think about your goals and ensure that they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

Whether you’ve already started a new role or you’re thinking about taking the leap, keep these five tips in mind and you can embrace the change and reinvent yourself both professionally and personally.