How To Find the Best Job for Career Change

Are you stuck bumping your head against a glass ceiling and looking for a new job? Well, you’re in the right place!

Figuring out the best job for a career change can be daunting. Pathrise’s article on the best jobs for a career change in 2023 can be an excellent place to start brainstorming. The first step is to determine what your goals are. Ask yourself if you’re looking for:

More money
A more rewarding career
Better work-life balance
Better benefits
A more challenging position
A job that utilizes more of your skill set

Read on for more tips on navigating a career change and some of the best jobs for a career change today.

How To Navigate Career Change and the Quest for the Right Job

In addition to knowing what your goals are, it’s essential to keep in mind why you want to leave your current job. The potential pleasure of a new job opportunity isn’t always enough motivation to get out there if you’re not clear on the disadvantages of staying exactly where you are.

There are millions of people around the world who would love to have a different job but never do anything about it. They might complain about their job all day, but the minute you mention that they should consider a career change, they start rationalizing why they should stay in their current role.

Knowing exactly why you want to leave your current job and what you want out of a new one will keep you in the growth mindset and help you push through the challenges of the new job search.

Here are some things to consider as you embark on your career change.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a New Career Path?

There are many factors to weigh when deciding on a new career — including your skills, values, and financial goals, as well as the industries and roles that offer the best opportunities. Consider the following to help you determine a new career path.

Assess your Skills, Interests, and Values

Let’s talk about values first. Ask yourself what you authentically value about a job. Values could include:

The list goes on. Settling for a job that doesn’t align with your values will likely make you unhappy.

Values also tie in with interests:

What are you passionate about?
What tasks make you smile?
What activities make you feel like time doesn’t exist?

Make a note of these things as you start to brainstorm your next career path. It’s rare that you’ll find a job you’re 100% in love with 100% of the time. But many jobs can be so rewarding that even overcoming their challenges will fulfill you.

Also, think about how well you perform when doing something that interests you versus something that makes you feel dead inside. When you’re doing something that interests you, you probably work harder to succeed at the task. Finding engaging work that aligns with your interests will help set you up for career success.

Finally, you need to consider your skill set. Skills are a more fluid metric. As you look for a new job, you might find you have a lot of transferable skills — like technical or organizational skills — from your existing work experience. Or you might come across jobs that align with your values and interests, but your current skills don’t align just yet.

What are your core technical skills?
What are your core soft skills?
What tools and technologies have you used in the past?
What relevant education do you have already?

The great thing is that you can always learn new skills. With some additional training, you can add them to your resume so that you’ll stand out to future employers. Check out Pathrise’s tips on making a resume that stands out.

Once you figure out a career path that aligns with your values, interests, and goals, you’ll have all the determination in the world to learn the skills you need to succeed in your new career.

Research New Industries and Opportunities

Now it’s time to start doing some research. This could be as simple as going to Google or YouTube and typing in “emerging industries” or “high paying jobs in 2023.” You’ll get a better idea of the opportunities out there today — including newer industries and roles you might not have been aware of.

It’s just as important to do your research on any roles you may already have in mind. Many people see what they believe to be excellent jobs on TV, but after doing some research, they find the realities of working those jobs aren’t what they had imagined.

Try to find other people who do the work you’re interested in and learn from them. Look at some informational interviews to find out what it takes to get the job and what a typical workday looks like. You can also read employee reviews of companies you might be interested in working for.

Look with an open mind, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to settle on something quickly.

Recognize Potential Challenges and Address Them Proactively

During your research, you may find that there will be some challenges to breaking into the industry you’re interested in. You might feel like you’re too old (see Pathrise’s article on making a career change at 40) or too young, don’t have a formal education, or the competition is too steep. Many people stop here.

The proactive approach to this is to go back over the reasons why you’re looking for a new job in the first place and remain open-minded. Take the tangible steps necessary to meet the requirements of the industry you’re interested in — like getting additional training or education — and eventually, you’ll have the right skill set to get the job you want.

What Are the Current High-Growth Industries and Emerging Roles?

Starting your job search with high-growth industries is a great idea because there are tons of opportunities to choose from. It doesn’t hurt that these are some of the highest-paying careers around right now.

There are also emerging roles in these industries that you can be a pioneer in and help shape with your unique skill set and values. For example, firefighters always have a Dalmatian at the station, but that’s only because that’s what the first firefighters valued.

Some of the best jobs for a career change today include:

Data Scientist — If you love analyzing data and crunching numbers, this could be the best fit for you. Average salary: $144k.
UX Designer — UX (user experience) designers make sure apps and websites are aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. Average salary: $100k.
Software Developer — This job entails writing code to build new apps or software and fix bugs in existing software. Average salary: $116k.
Financial Analyst — Similar to an accountant, this type of job goes a step further by showing companies how to best spend their money to turn a profit. Average salary: $80k.
Cyber Security Engineer — This job builds infrastructures to make sure company data is secure and safe from hackers. Average Salary: $109k.
Digital Marketing Specialist — If you’d enjoy creating catchy slogans and creative marketing for ads, consider digital marketing. Average Salary: $62k.
Cloud Architect — These jobs are increasingly in demand as more people use cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon to store data. Cloud architects make apps that can upload, download, and stream data from the cloud more efficiently. Average salary: $194k.
Blockchain Engineer — This type of engineer makes sure blockchains can efficiently store and transfer cryptocurrency and other data. Average salary: $150k.
DevOps Engineer — If you’d rather improve existing apps than create new ones, this may be the job for you. Average salary: $131k.
Robotics Engineer — This is the future of technology and, with the advent of AI, is soon to become a very lucrative career. Average salary: $100k.
Business Management — If you value leadership and would like to be in charge of a company, consider business management. Average Salary: $69k.

These jobs are in high demand right now. By starting your search in these industries, you’ll likely find the right fit for you.

Embark on a Fulfilling Career Change With Pathrise

This guide should give you a head start on where to look for your next career. It’s essential to be flexible with your options, but don’t settle for something less just because you’re eager to move on. The best-paying jobs may not always align with your values — but how do you know what’s a good compromise? Having a mentor can help.

At Pathrise, you’ll get a one-on-one mentor who will be there to give you advice and help your career transition go smoothly. You don’t pay one penny until you start working at your high-paying dream job. Apply to Pathrise today and start your journey toward a successful career.