At this time of year, many of us reflect on our careers and what the year ahead might look like. It’s common to feel a desire for something different - something more aligned with your interests, values, or goals.

A frequent question recruiters get is: “How do I make a career change?”
And the honest answer is: it’s not always easy - but it is possible.

Is a Career Change in 2025 Realistic?

With almost every job, experience and education matter. That’s why making a career change can be challenging. Often, you’ll need to:

• Take a step back in salary or job level
• Upskill or pursue new qualifications
• Compete with candidates who’ve worked in the field longer

But here’s the flip side: staying in one niche for your entire career isn’t for everyone. And in today’s evolving job market, more people are pivoting and succeeding than ever before.

How to Make a Career Change (Without Starting From Scratch)

1. Get Clear on What You Really Want

Before making a move, ask yourself:

• What kind of work energises me?
• What motivates me - money, impact, flexibility?
• What parts of my current job do I enjoy (or hate)?

Back yourself. Know your skillset. Get honest about your interests and goals. You can use free career assessments or speak to a career coach to guide this process.

2. Understand the Path Ahead

If you're serious about changing careers, you’ll need to do your homework:

• What are the job prospects in the new field?
• What’s the earning potential over time?
• Will you need to study? If so, how long will it take and what will it cost?
• Can you manage financially during the transition?

A full career switch—like a podiatrist becoming a doctor or a sales exec training to be a lawyer—might be too costly or time-intensive. But many career changes don’t require starting from square one.

The Power of Taking Half Steps

The most realistic and successful career changes come from taking quarter or half steps rather than giant leaps.

Examples:

• Accounting to Analytics: Supplement your finance skills with data analysis training to move into a business intelligence role.
• Contact Centre to HR or Marketing: With the right internal networking and short-term study, contact centre staff often transition into other departments.
• Sales to Strategy or Management: If you're in sales, your negotiation, stakeholder engagement and performance-driven mindset are incredibly transferable across industries and roles.
• 
  

Career Change Tips for 2025

• Look inward first: Consider roles in your current company, sister brands, or industry. These options often come with a smoother learning curve.
• Use your network: Talk to colleagues in departments you're interested in. Ask about their day-to-day, required skills, and how they got there.
• Upskill efficiently: Online courses, micro-credentials, or short certifications can give you the edge -without years of study.
• Be prepared to take a step back: It’s okay to move down one level to get a foot in the door of your new path.

Final Thought: Career Evolution, Not Reinvention

Career changes don’t need to be dramatic. In fact, the most sustainable ones feel like natural progressions.

Focus on adjacent opportunities. Be strategic. And don’t underestimate how far a well-planned half-step can take you.

Take a look at our available jobs below!