Tips when training for a new career

While retraining used to be less common, more individuals are choosing to change careers by undertaking online or virtual classroom training courses. 

Whatever your reason for wanting to retrain, there are some tips to bear in mind to guide you through the process. In this article, we will run through a few top tips for those looking to retrain. We will also explore the best careers to retrain for and the available retraining courses that you can get started with.  

Discover how to change careers at age 40. 

Do your research 

Our first tip is to do some solid research before starting on your path to changing careers. There are so many options out there, and it can be difficult to know what path will suit you best and lead to the kind of opportunities you are looking for. Due diligence in the form of research can help you to narrow your options. 

You can conduct your research online by searching sites like e-Careers for career profiles, or check out business networking sites like LinkedIn, for inspiration on the range of jobs available. You can then make connections and perhaps even reach out to professionals already working in the area you’d like to retrain in for specific industry tips and advice. 

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Weigh up your options 

Once you have an idea of the type of career you would like to work towards, you can begin to weigh up your options and make decisions that are right for you. There are many things to consider when choosing to retrain, so take your time to ensure that you are making wise decisions that will benefit you in the future. 

You might be interested in pursuing one path but find that another is more likely to provide the salary and benefits you're looking for. By weighing up your options, you can consider all the different factors involved and make an informed decision. 

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Make a plan 

Now you have done your research and weighed up your options, you can start to plan for how you will go about retraining for your new career. For example, you may want to take out a loan to finance a new course, or you could study on a part-time, flexible basis while continuing in your current role. 

As part of your plan you might also consider how to get workplace experience either alongside your training or before you start your career change. 

Even if there is no single defined path to your dream role, it still makes sense to create a plan for how you will become qualified for the kind of roles you are interested in. 

What are the best careers to retrain for? 

There is a wide range of job roles that you can retrain for, which depend on what you're looking for in your next career. There is no one-size-fits-all option for those looking for a career change, so start with your interests, or think about an industry you would like to work in. 

One strategy for identifying options for a career change is to look at what industries are experiencing skills shortages. Plenty of industries, such as the IT industry and the engineering sector, are experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals. 

By looking for the sectors that are particularly low on skilled workers, you can build up a picture of the kinds of jobs that will offer good prospects in the future. 

Popular careers include: 

•    Accountant
•    Bookkeeper 
•    Business Analyst
•    Cloud Computer Professional
•    Cyber Security Specialist/Ethical Hacker
•    Digital Marketing Manager/Social Media Manager
•    Football Intermediary
•    IT Support
•    Mortgage Adviser
•    Project Team Member/Project Manager                       

Why retrain for a new career? 

There are many reasons for wanting to retrain for a new career. Perhaps you have been in the same job for many years but are looking for a change. It might be the case that you have been reliant on the same skills for decades but now want to branch out into something new. Maybe you have found a new passion that you would like to turn into a career. 

Regardless of your reasons for considering a career change, you must spend time thinking about your next steps. By taking your time and making informed decisions, you will have the best chance of successfully transitioning into your new career. 

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Retraining courses     

When you have identified the industry and role that you are looking to retrain in, you can start working towards training to gain the skills, knowledge, and certifications to improve your chances of gaining employment in a role you're interested in. 

Here at e-Careers, we offer a wide range of Online courses and Virtual Classroom training that will enable you to prepare for your future career change. Contact us today to get started or to discuss what route would be best for your career development. 

View our full list of training courses.

Interested in a training course? To get started or discuss your requirements in more detail, call our Course Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch with you to go through your training options.