You throw your hands up in the air—you’ve had it. ‘It’ being the constant pressure to delay your dreams or stress that comes from a lackluster work life. It’s time for a change.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. By 55, American adults have an average of 12 jobs on their resumes. (That’s an average of three jobs per year of adulthood!)
You’re not alone in the desire to reinvent yourself, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially if you don’t have the prior experience or skills to back it up.
Not to worry. In this article, we validate the many reasons you might want to switch careers. Then, we’ll give you actionable steps to change careers with no experience and options to kickstart your career change.
10 Reasons to Make a Career Change With No Experience
Here are 10 signs it may be time to quit your day job and find your dream career—even if you don’t have experience.
- Pursuing Passion
Changing careers to pursue a passion can be an incredibly fulfilling decision. Imagine waking up every day excited to work on something you genuinely love and believe in.
When you follow your passion, your job stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a meaningful pursuit. This transition can reignite creativity and motivation, increasing job satisfaction and personal happiness.
- Better Work-Life Balance
Changing careers for better work-life balance can significantly enhance your overall well-being.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding a job that allows for personal time and relaxation is crucial. Many people switch careers to escape their current roles’ long hours and high stress, seeking professions that offer more flexibility and manageable workloads.
This change can improve mental and physical health and allow more time with family and friends.
- Higher Earning Potential
Did you know that workers who changed jobs saw higher wage growth than other workers following the covid pandemic?
Many people are drawn to roles that offer better financial rewards to improve their quality of life, save for future goals, or achieve financial stability.
Even without prior experience, entry-level positions in high-earning fields like tech often provide a clear pathway for growth and advancement. Investing time learning new skills and obtaining relevant certifications can increase your chances of securing a well-paying job.
- Career Satisfaction
Leaving your day job to pursue a career with more job satisfaction can be a transformative decision. When your current job feels unfulfilling or misaligned with your interests, it can lead to burnout and a lack of motivation.
Pursuing a career that aligns with your passions and values can reignite your enthusiasm and drive, making work more meaningful and enjoyable. This shift often leads to greater personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment as you’re engaged in work that truly resonates with you.
- Learning and Growth
A career change can be an exciting opportunity to learn and grow. When you step into a new field, you gain new knowledge and skills and challenge yourself to adapt and thrive in a different environment.
- Changing Industry Trends
Industries evolve rapidly with advancements in technology, changes in consumer behavior, and new market demands. By proactively transitioning into a field that is experiencing growth or transformation, you position yourself at the forefront of these changes.
- Job Security
Changing careers for better job security can be smart, especially if you need more certainty about your current role. Even without prior experience in a new field, some industries offer more stable employment opportunities.
- Burnout in Current Role
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, often related to work. It occurs when someone feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.
Many people battle burnout. In a Deloitte survey of 1,000 workers, 77% of respondents said they had experienced burnout at their current jobs.
Symptoms of burnout can include fatigue, cynicism or detachment from the job, reduced performance, and a sense of ineffectiveness. It can affect various aspects of life, leading to decreased productivity, impaired relationships, and a decline in overall well-being.
Switching to a new career can give you renewed energy and passion, aligning your work with your interests and values.
- Personal Circumstances
Sometimes life throws unexpected changes our way, like relocating to a new city, taking on family responsibilities, or dealing with health issues. These personal circumstances can make it tough to stick with your current career.
Switching careers can offer the flexibility and support you need to align your job with your new lifestyle better. It can also be an opportunity to explore a field that fits your needs and aspirations better.
- Diversify Skill Set
Diversifying your experiences can lead to a richer career portfolio and open doors to new opportunities, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.
Additionally, gaining experience in different fields can help you discover new interests and passions, which may lead to more fulfilling work. It also allows you to build a broader network and gain insights into various industries, enriching your career journey.
📌 Related reading: Tips for Changing Careers
6 Steps to Make a Career Change
Making a career change without experience is challenging, but with the right guidance, it can also be highly successful and rewarding. Here are some steps to guide you through this transition.
1. Conduct a Self-Assessment
Conducting a self-assessment is the crucial first step when considering a career change.
Start by evaluating your interests, skills, and passions, and make a list of activities and subjects that excite you. Reflect on the aspects of your current and past jobs you’ve enjoyed the most.
Next, identify relevant transferable skills from your existing role across different industries and consider how they can be applied to a new career.
This introspection helps pinpoint potential career paths that align with your passions and skill set, ensuring a smoother transition and a more fulfilling job.
Ask yourself:
- What are my current job responsibilities?
- What do I enjoy about my job?
- What causes me stress?
- What are my passions?
- What am I good at?
2. Do Your Research
The second step is exciting as you explore career opportunities and dream big.
Gather information about the industry and position you’re interested in, including reading industry reports and exploring online resources. Understand the specific roles, daily responsibilities, and skills in demand, and consider the industry’s growth prospects to ensure they align with your long-term goals.
Once you identify a career that excites you, review the job requirements, such as experience and skills, and focus on acquiring these through education, training, or self-study.
Action plan:
- Tap into industry resources like TechCrunch for tech news.
- Review job listings on Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to research job duties.
- Check out Merit America’s blog for tech career information.
📌 Related reading: 6 Lucrative Tech Jobs for Beginners
3. Develop Your Skill Set
If you took the time to conduct a self-assessment and do your research, you should be able to identify the gaps in your knowledge.
Developing your skill set involves creating a targeted plan to address these gaps. By systematically addressing these skill gaps, you’ll be better prepared for the challenges of your new role and more competitive in the job market.
Action plan:
- Enroll in classes at your local community.
- Subscribe to self-learning platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Join Merit America for free for comprehensive tech job training.
4. Gain Practical Experience
Hands-on experience is invaluable. It allows you to apply your knowledge and demonstrate your skills in real-world settings.
Consider gaining practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or freelance projects. These opportunities help you build a robust portfolio and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Additionally, practical experience helps you refine your skills and gain confidence, which can be crucial during interviews and job applications.
Action plan:
- Ask your network if they need work done that is relevant to your field.
- Volunteer your services to a nonprofit.
- Complete mock assignments on topics that interest you.
5. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
Updating your resume is crucial when making a career change, as it helps you effectively communicate your suitability for a new role.
Tailoring your resume to highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences ensures that potential employers see how your background aligns with the requirements of the new position.
You can make a compelling case for your candidacy despite needing more direct experience by emphasizing accomplishments and skills that apply to the new field. Also, a well-crafted resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your chances of securing interviews.
Action plan:
- Write a resume appropriate for your industry, encompassing your new and transferable skills and experience.
- Have a friend or family member review your resume and cover letter.
- Seek out the support of a career coach or resume expert.
6. Reach Out to Your Network
By connecting with professionals in your target field, you can gain valuable advice, learn about potential job openings, and get referrals or recommendations. Networking also allows you to build relationships that can provide support and guidance throughout your transition.
Additionally, networking can enhance your visibility and credibility, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Overall, leveraging your network can significantly ease your career transition and increase your chances of success.
Action plan:
- Join your local professional organizations.
- Attend a professional conference in your field.
- Engage industry leaders on LinkedIn.
Change Careers with Merit America
Changing careers is a massive undertaking, even when you have the steps laid out. So if the thought of completing the career change outline makes you want to run back to your day job, call on Merit America.
Merit America is a nonprofit organization that offers practical and comprehensive job training. You can start your journey with Merit America at $0 upfront cost, and our alumni have experienced an average annual wage gain of $24,000 just months after completing the program.
We support you through the career change process from start to finish. At Merit America, we provide technical support as you earn an industry-recognized certification; partner with you to create your portfolio, resume, and cover letter; and guide you through the job application process. We even connect you with our internal network of professionals!
Your time is now. Change careers with Merit America. Sign up with $0 upfront costs.
📌 Related reading: Is Merit America Legit?