Professional reorientation:
Recognise and take opportunities

Do I dare to make a new career start? Every employee asks themselves questions like these and therefore also considers professional reorientation at some time or other during their career. Regardless of whether you’re in your mid 20s or 45 - career changes are normal in our society.

If this point in time has also arrived for you, you shouldn’t simply ignore the thought of it. The motives for a new beginning can differ considerably, be it a lack of a challenge, boredom or dissatisfaction, professional reorientation can be a turning point in your life. The decision to make a new career start is not an easy one. Nowadays, straightforward careers are a rarity, and job changes are the norm. Nevertheless, you should think carefully and choose the right time to do so.

We will give you tips on what to look out for, and when the right time for a career change has arrived.

When is it time for professional reorientation?

Did a colleague get on your nerves today? Is a customer stressing you out by putting you under time pressure? Temporary stressful phases are normal and are a part of every job. A moment's hesitation about whether this job is the right one for you shouldn't trigger a knee-jerk reaction. Because your co-workers are also highly likely to be experiencing phases like these.

It's another thing when you struggle with yourself and your dissatisfaction for weeks or even months. If you debate with yourself for a long period about whether you should get up in the morning or call in sick, the point in time has definitely arrived to start considering a career change.

When your anger and frustration becomes chronic, this often has consequences. Your negative energy can affect your surroundings, and also your health. Your performance and efficiency degenerate, you are easily irritated and your immune system suffers.

If you’ve arrived at a point such as this, it is time to reflect on your work situation and ask yourself honestly whether professional reorientation might be a better option. To help to determine whether professional reorientation is the right move, ask yourself the following questions:

How long have I been dissatisfied?
What am I unhappy with exactly?
Is it my own fault, i.e. is there something I can do to change the situation?
Do I see perspectives for me in my current company?
How would professional reorientation fit in with my career plans?
Is reorientation the only option?
What makes me happy?
What strengths do I have that I have yet to use in my job?
What is preventing me from implementing this professional reorientation?
Am I prepared to take risks?

You should take the time to answer these questions honestly. If you come to the conclusion that you should change jobs, it is important to find out exactly what your new career could offer you.

Get some inspiration from our job portal

Reasons for a career change

The success of a career change mainly depends on your intentions. You shouldn't be hasty and act without thinking. Get to the bottom of your reasons for moving. Ask yourself what your motivations for professional reorientation really are.

Good reasons for professional reorientation

1

Health

If your job is making you ill due to permanent stress or harassment, for example, it's worth thinking about professional reorientation. Your health should always take priority over money.

2

Boredom

If your job is not fulfilling you and if you’re bored and unchallenged, a career change could improve the situation. Your job should always provide you with challenges, and help you to develop on a personal and technical level.

3

Demands

Do you always give it your all, and are not even getting a “thank you”? Some superiors have unrealistic demands which nobody can fulfil. If your boss is still not satisfied despite your commitment and overtime, professional reorientation might be the right decision for you.

4

Stagnation

If stagnation is ruling your career perspectives and a wage rise is unlikely in your current company, it is time to change jobs. Companies should always be developing and also making this possible for their employees.

5

Uncertainty

Many jobs involve a certain level of risk. Many markets and industries are in a state of constant change. If this risk makes you extremely insecure or even triggers existential anxiety, a new career start in a different company or even a different industry which provides more security would certainly be the right thing for you.

6

Work conditions

The working world is changing, and that can also mean changes for you as well. For example, shift work and weekend work may not have been a problem for you previously, but after a certain time it takes its toll. You want more time for your family, your friends and your private life, which simply can’t be reconciled in your current situation. Things like this could be a reason for professional reorientation. It's not an easy decision, but one which can pay off in the long term. With a little research and planning, you can find a new career which suits your lifestyle and gives you the satisfaction you deserve.

Bad reasons for professional reorientation

1

Short-term frustration can make your motivation slump

Every job has its bad days. A stressful phase can also last for a long time. In moments such as this, don't rush your decision to opt for professional reorientation. Consider the year as a whole and think about how it went. Always weigh up the pros and cons exactly, since stressful periods occur everywhere.

2

Harsh criticism affects you personally

Did your boss give you some harsh criticism about your work? It's not exactly a nice thing to do, but it is not a reason for changing your job. Use something like this as a reason for self-reflection, and try to avoid taking the criticism personally. However, if you are being unreasonably and constantly criticised, you should speak to your superior.

3

The mistakes that you make hurt you and knock your self-confidence

Everyone makes mistakes. But that's not a reason for throwing in the towel. Learn from your mistakes, think about what led to them, and grow from them. And perhaps your error was even a problem that has existed in your company for a long time. Be proactive and discover the cause!

4

Your management is draining your enthusiasm for the job

You joined the company because of a great job, and now want to leave because of your superiors. Don't become discouraged immediately. It would be better to try to speak to your boss and iron things out. You can develop as a person from this.

7 Tips for a career change

Have you decided to make a new career start? Be strategic and make sure that you know what the next step of your career looks like in order to prevent further disappointment.

Define your goals

A career change can mean a lot, and can go in many different directions. You should therefore be clear about the direction in which your journey is going. Your professional reorientation could also be retraining or lateral entry into a new profession. But also smaller changes, such as courses and training, can have a major effect. In this way, you could immerse yourself in a different area with a completely different field of activity which gives you a great deal of pleasure.

Define your goals

A career change can mean a lot, and can go in many different directions. You should therefore be clear about the direction in which your journey is going. Your professional reorientation could also be retraining or lateral entry into a new profession. But also smaller changes, such as courses and training, can have a major effect. In this way, you could immerse yourself in a different area with a completely different field of activity which gives you a great deal of pleasure.

Develop a cost/benefit analysis for your next steps

Since a change of career is always associated with risks, you should plan your project carefully. Think about how much time you want to invest in reorientation. How much of a budget do you have? Is it possible that you’ll be earning less or even nothing at all to begin with? If you can answer all of these questions, you are well prepared and can implement your next steps.

Develop a cost/benefit analysis for your next steps

Since a change of career is always associated with risks, you should plan your project carefully. Think about how much time you want to invest in reorientation. How much of a budget do you have? Is it possible that you’ll be earning less or even nothing at all to begin with? If you can answer all of these questions, you are well prepared and can implement your next steps.

Identify your personal and technical strengths

Your strengths are important for you as well as your employer. If you know what you’re really good at, it will be easier to find the direction you should be going in the future. Soft skills are just as important as hard skills for recruiters. Show what added value you could give to the new company, and which personal characteristics you have used to be successful in the past. Our job profiles give you an overview of similar or completely different career paths.

Identify your personal and technical strengths

Your strengths are important for you as well as your employer. If you know what you’re really good at, it will be easier to find the direction you should be going in the future. Soft skills are just as important as hard skills for recruiters. Show what added value you could give to the new company, and which personal characteristics you have used to be successful in the past. Our job profiles give you an overview of similar or completely different career paths.

Use your contacts

Having an extensive network of contacts has never harmed anyone. Particularly when it comes to the subject of changing your job. Your contacts will often let you know about vacancies which may suit you, even though they have not (yet) appeared on the job market. If you know someone in that company who will put a good word in for you and explain your capabilities from their own experience, a new job may come up sooner than you expected.

Use your contacts

Having an extensive network of contacts has never harmed anyone. Particularly when it comes to the subject of changing your job. Your contacts will often let you know about vacancies which may suit you, even though they have not (yet) appeared on the job market. If you know someone in that company who will put a good word in for you and explain your capabilities from their own experience, a new job may come up sooner than you expected.

Show your commitment and impress them with your passion

If you decide to change jobs, you should stick to it. As soon as you tell your family and friends about your decision, you'll be given lots of positive encouragement. But you are also likely also hear worries and doubts. Don’t let these comments bother you, and believe in your success.

Show your commitment and impress them with your passion

If you decide to change jobs, you should stick to it. As soon as you tell your family and friends about your decision, you'll be given lots of positive encouragement. But you are also likely also hear worries and doubts. Don’t let these comments bother you, and believe in your success.

Stay realistic

Unsatisfied employees often have very high hopes for professional reorientation. Just make sure that your expectations aren't set too high. This particularly applies to the time frame. Plan sufficient time for your career change and don’t stress yourself out. Otherwise, this step can quickly disappoint you and drain your motivation.