How to switch careers in your 20s and 30s

That feeling when you have achieved something!

Do you feel as if your career is drifting in the wrong direction? Take the initiative and make a change. Here’s how

By Charlotte Bean

Do you dread another day at the office? Do you travel through life wondering if you’ll ever find the right job? Do you resent the hours put into a career that simply doesn’t make you happy?

Turns out you’re not alone. Research released in 2018 shows that 43pc of people in their 20s and 30s plan to leave their job within the next two years.

If you are feeling this way, it’s time to take the initiative and change the direction of your career.

"It can seem like a big step to change career in your 20s and 30s," says Emma Kershaw, a director at Just Recruitment Group Ltd. "But if you can take the time to evaluate what you want to achieve, it's well worth taking the plunge. You're still young, so now is the time to secure a career that you'll find fulfilling and enjoyable."

Before you quit your job and dive headfirst into the unknown, consider these five practical steps towards a smooth career transition.

1. Experience your favoured career at first hand

Contact a company or workplace and ask if you can shadow an employee who currently has the job you want. You’ll find most companies will be accommodating, particularly if you promise to make a few teas and coffees in return. And maybe take in some cookies.

    "43% of people in their 20s and 30s plan to leave their job in the next two years."  

While it would be great if we could all bag our dream job with a sizeable pay packet and copious amounts of holiday to boot, realistically all careers have their downsides. Seeing your choice of career at first hand can help ensure you’re not simply suffering from a case of “greener grass” syndrome before you take the plunge.

2. Volunteer

Many jobs require that you have experience, but to get experience you need a job, but to get a job you need… you see where this is going.

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to attain that vital experience around a full-time job, and there are links between volunteering and a greater likelihood of gaining employment,

3. Make use of your existing skills

Identifying her transferable skills allowed Sonia Bateman to leave her 12-year career in HR to start a new one in events management. “I didn’t want to leave my employer, but in terms of career progression I felt like I had gone as far as I could in my role,” she says. “When a position came up as a project manager within the events department, I realised I had a lot of transferable skills.

“Having worked with the manager before, they were also familiar with my skill set, meaning they knew I could be trusted with the job even though I was new to the field.”

Which leads to our next point…

4. Take advantage of your connections

Like Sonia, you may find that the company or organisation you already work for has a role for you, meaning you can play on their existing knowledge of your work if you’re lacking experience compared to other applicants.

If you can’t stay with your current employer to land the job of your dreams, remember those workplace visits and volunteering opportunities mentioned above: these all help to build a network of contacts.

Since graduating, Steven Egan has tried several different careers, something that he feels he has been able to do due to the relationships he has built along the way.

Making a choice a good choice isn't just luck.

“I have always been a firm believer in keeping an open door,” Steven says. “This means I can always go back to agencies and companies when hunting for new career prospects because I’ve established a good rapport with them.”

5. Break up your plans into smaller goals

Putting “Start new career” on a to-do list is enough to make anyone feel like giving up before they’ve begun. So think about the small steps you can take to realise your dream.

Make a list that breaks your career plan down into mini-goals (for example, email a potential employer, look for volunteering opportunities, update your CV, gain a vocational qualification) and give yourself deadlines for each one.

After five years, Sonia’s career in events management has soared: she has won three awards for her work.

Despite having concerns about changing careers and, inevitably, facing challenges along the way, she has no regrets. “I’m now in a role that I’m much more suited to and enjoy every day,” she says. “I never knew what I wanted to do after school and fell into a career in HR. But changing careers has meant I have found my calling in life.

“It’s so difficult to decide on a career when you’re younger with little previous experience, so changing roles in your 20s and 30s gives you the opportunity to find the right path. You spend a lot of your life working, so getting it right really is important. And, if it doesn’t work out, at least you can say you tried!”

Just leaves one question: what are you waiting for?

First Published 22 July 2019

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: The Just Recruitment guide to interview dressing

You may also enjoy: How to the be the king or queen of time management

Jobs currently available

New job
Warehouse Supervisor
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913695
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a growing organisation, based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add another Warehouse Supervisor to their team.

The key purpose of the role is to work closely with the senior management team, supervising the warehouse and completing all associated tasks as expected.

Duties include:

  • Manage employees’ day-to-day activities to ensure they are meeting their goals and deadlines
  • Supervise employees and direct work as they undertake activities related to returns, re-works, order fulfilment and order management
  • Monitor employee performance to ensure they are meeting company standards
  • Work closely with the General Manager to monitor staff levels and adjust accordingly
  • Perform regular Quality Audits, documenting the results
  • Work closely with the Customer Account Manager to ensure any issues are resolved quickly and effectively with minimal disruption to both the customer and the company
  • Ensure all Health & Safety regulations and relevant laws are adhered to
  • Monitor depot housekeeping, ensuring a clean and safe work area is maintained
  • Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure that work tasks are completed on time and within budget
  • Supervise the training of new employees
  • Coordinate with colleagues on the retrieval of stock replenishment and outsourced stock

Key requirements for this role:

  • Have previous warehouse experience or proven experience with a leadership position in a similar role
  • Have excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Have proven leadership and employee management skills
  • Have knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS)
  • Hold a valid Forklift Licence

This role is located in a great working environment with free parking available on-site.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to have access to your own transport.

Working hours:

8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
You are required to work 2 x Saturdays out of 4 (with a day off in lieu that week).

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £16.87 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0725
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Please note that due to the location, you will need access to your own transport.

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 1 hour lunch break. The company can be flexible and offer a 4 day week.

Free parking is available on-site.

You must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

This role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Perform bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and Petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Prepare weekly aged creditors reports and process weekly supplier payments, run accordingly.
  • Prepare monthly aged debtors reports and provide credit control where required.
  • Maintain cashflow forecast for the Finance Director to review.
  • Process monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Manage auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, Sage 50, and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Factory Operative (Nights)
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £15.27 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FO-0625
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Factory Operatives for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.~
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Quality & Compliance Manager
Sector: Business, Consulting and Management
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913704
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a company based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit a Quality & Compliance Manager.

You will be responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s compliance and quality assurance activities, ensuring the effective implementation and maintenance of ISO standards and internal controls across the business.

Duties will include:

  • Expand the ISO 9001 system to cover all areas of the business, ensuring comprehensive documentation of workflows that accurately reflect business processes and activities.
  • Assist in the implementation and maintenance of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), ensuring ongoing compliance with the standards.
  • Collaborate with the Finance Director to implement robust controls and internal audits related to all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA regulations, including record-keeping, reporting, and adherence to guidelines.
  • Monitor regulatory updates and ensure that all processes are updated in line with FCA requirements.
  • Assist in preparing reports for submission to regulatory bodies and ensure proper documentation of all compliance efforts.

Role requirements include:

  • Proven experience in a compliance or quality assurance role, preferably within a regulated industry.
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations and data effectively.
  • Exceptional attention to detail with strong organisational skills.
  • Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation, both verbally and in writing.
  • Proficient in using compliance management software and tools.
  • A relevant degree or professional qualification in a related field is advantageous.
  • Six Sigma certifications.
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
  • PRINCE2 or PMI.

Additional pay:

  • Bonus scheme.
  • Performance bonus.

Benefits include:

  • Company events.
  • Company pension.
  • Free flu jabs.
  • Health and wellbeing programme.
  • On-site parking.
  • Profit sharing.

Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more