In the pursuit of a career change for 2024, Chris Raven, the CEO of the business growth agency Heur, offers valuable insights on navigating the job market and standing out with your CV.
Raven acknowledges the common tendency for individuals to remain in roles that no longer align with their interests and highlights the apprehension associated with the risks of venturing into something new.
However, he emphasises that making a career change need not be daunting, especially considering the evolving attitudes towards work post-pandemic, as evidenced by the Great Resignation in 2021.
Raven notes that January is the peak time for job applications, making it crucial for applicants to distinguish themselves from the competition.
5 actionable steps to ensure a purposeful approach to career change:
- Carry Out a Full Self-Assessment Before embarking on a career change, Raven advises individuals to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment. Understanding one’s skills, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values provides a foundation for aligning them with the chosen career path. This self-reflection aids in determining if the new professional trajectory aligns with personal goals and capabilities.
- Enhance Your Skills Identifying existing skills is only the beginning; Raven suggests identifying gaps in skills required for the chosen field. Additional training, workshops, or certification programs can help bolster the resume and make applicants more competitive in their desired roles.
- Start Networking Networking plays a crucial role in career transitions. Raven recommends connecting with professionals in the desired field through events or platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with like-minded individuals can provide valuable insights, advice, and potential job opportunities. Informal interviews with industry professionals offer real-world perspectives and valuable information about the industry and its challenges.
- Update Your Resume Tailoring the resume for the specific role is a key aspect often overlooked by applicants. Raven stresses the importance of personalising details for each application, emphasising real-life examples rather than generic statements. Highlighting past experiences and demonstrating their relevance to the new role can significantly enhance a candidate’s appeal.
- Try Out a Transitional Role For those not ready for a complete career shift, Raven suggests exploring transitional roles, such as internships, volunteer work, or freelancing. This allows individuals to bridge the gap between their current and desired roles, gaining valuable experience and confirming whether the new career aligns with their expectations.
Raven concludes with a reminder that changing careers requires time and perseverance. Patience, an open mind, and a positive attitude are essential as individuals navigate this transformative journey, acknowledging that the path may not always unfold exactly as planned.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
