Updating Your Career Change Resumé? What to Know Before Switching Roles

Change is constant. Career change? Even more common than you think. According to a The Straits Times article, one in 3 workers in Singapore planned to change jobs in the first half of 2022, seeking better work opportunities and higher salaries, among others. 

So if you feel as though you are at a standstill in your current role, don’t be afraid to make the switch. A change in your career might make you feel better. It can improve your mental health and boost your career growth. 

If you’re one of those looking for a career switch, take time to reflect and figure out what you want. Careful planning is necessary before you break out your career change resumé. 

8 Questions to Ask if You Are Ready for a Career Change

1. Do you dread going to work?

Sure, we all hate coming to work sometimes. But if you dread coming to work every day, then it is probably a major red flag. If you have to keep forcing yourself to get to work, feeling painfully anxious on Sunday evenings because the work week is starting soon, then something could be wrong. Something needs to change. 

2. Is it increasingly difficult for you to stay motivated?

You used to find work gripping. However, you have lost your drive to do anything for quite some time now. Going through the motions may be enough to get the job done but not enough to keep you engaged. You’ve reached a slump and not just a minor one. 

3. Do you feel exhausted from work all the time?

Work is tiring, but it shouldn’t be exhausting. If you end up feeling drained and incapable of doing anything at the end of the day, this is a sign that you should take a break. If your manager or team can’t make adjustments to ease your workload, it’s time to look for better opportunities. What’s important is that you stop and take care of yourself first.

4. Are you earning enough?

Now more than ever, financial compensation is crucial to every worker. Calculate your work hours to see if your company is compensating you enough. If you don’t think you’re getting paid your due, talk to your supervisor about getting a raise. If they can’t make room in the budget for your needs, then it’s time to look elsewhere.  

5. Do your values align with your company’s values? 

The pandemic has made us discover and value the more important things. Earning profit should not be the only thing that a company cares about, it should have empathy towards its people and the community it is serving, as well. If you feel uncomfortable with how the company culture doesn't align with your values, this is a sign that this role is not for you. 

6. Do the people you work with recognise your value?

If you’ve never been given recognition for your good work, this is a cause for concern. Not being given feedback at all is worse – this means your team doesn’t care enough about you to let you know if your contributions matter. If this constantly happens to you, you’re bound to feel devalued in the workplace. 

Lack of communication within the team can cause individuals to pull away until they disengage completely. If you’ve raised this issue during your performance review and still nothing happens, it’s time to look for a place where you’re appreciated. 

7. Are you languishing in your job?

Many of us felt like we were languishing throughout this pandemic. Languishing is the feeling of apathy, aimlessness, or just a low mood that just arose from the trauma of COVID-19. 

Harvard Business Review defines languishing at work as the midpoint between flourishing and burnout. When you feel a lack of meaning at work, you’re probably languishing in your role.  

8. Do you no longer find opportunities to develop professionally? 

So you may not be exhausted, you’re present at work, and it seems that you have a good relationship with your team. You’re comfortable. But are you too comfortable? You may not have burnout, but you may have boreout, a feeling of chronic boredom. 

Think about it – are you still growing in your current position? Career growth is vital, and the advancement of your career should always be on top of your checklist. 

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then a career change may be the right choice for you. Once you’ve decided to go on this path, it’s time to plan your next steps. 

6 Steps Towards Making that Career Change

1. Assess yourself

So you’ve decided to change your career. Where do you want to go from here? It might seem daunting, but remember the answer may just be inside you all along. Try assessing yourself with a SWOT analysis – identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to paint a clearer picture of where you are and what your goals should be.

2. Speak with a career counsellor

If you feel like you need guidance in navigating this new change, try seeking out a career counsellor to help you out. SkillsFuture offers Education and Career Guidance, a platform that helps Singaporeans in all stages of life learn more about themselves to make “informed education and career decisions.” For those specifically thinking of switching careers, you can check out this list of government programmes here.

3. Upgrade your skillset

Once you’ve figured out what you want to do next, you might see that there are some gaps in your CV that need filling. Learning new job skills might be a necessity to help open new doors for you, especially if you’re starting in a completely new industry. But don’t forget to take stock of your transferable skills, too. The soft skills that you may have gained from your experiences through the years can also work to your advantage. 

4. Create a new resumé

It’s always important to update your resumé because you never know when you’re going to need it. However, in a situation where you’re planning to change careers, you might have to create a new resumé from scratch. Make sure to tailor your resumé to the industry and role you want, highlighting your strengths and relevant skills. 

5. Grow your network

If you’re looking to enter a new sector, it will be helpful to know some people who know their way around. Go on social media and be on the lookout for events related to your industry of choice. Feel free to reach out to people you know and ask if they can refer you to someone. Any insight would be very helpful, who knows, they might lead you to a job opportunity too!

6. Start searching

Once you’re all set (make sure you’ve gone through and updated your resumé and portfolio), it’s time to get started on your job hunt. Make sure you update your online search profile to let employers know that you’re open to opportunities. JobStreet is a great space to check out new roles and look for tips that can assist you on your career change journey. 

Check out our Career Resources page or download JobStreet’s app available on the App Store and Google Play for more tips that can guide you in crafting your career path. It also offers expert insights and advice that could help give a boost to your career development.