Is now the right time for a career move?

A career change represents a huge transition, no matter the circumstances within which it arises. For many considering a change in profession, feelings of overwhelm and confusion, as you try to weigh up the options, can make the decision even more challenging.

Chirag Shah is our UK project services team leader. He is also a strategic advisor and a passionate project services recruitment expert—with 15 years of recruitment experience at one consultancy. 

He is privileged to have built an extensive network and is a trusted advisor by his clients. He is passionate about helping professionals grow and change careers; from graduate to director level; fully committed to being there through the whole process and always available to communicate and listen.

In this article, Chirag shares his story and expert advice—derived from decades of industry experience—on career moves.

How to consider a career change

Career change stats

While employment has risen between May and July 2024, the rate at which employees are changing jobs has teetered around an all-time high over the past three years, according to McKinsey. 

According to research by The Office of National Statistics, employees who change profession experience a higher rate of pay growth than job stayers.

Uncertainty in the labour market

Seismic societal changes, such as the pandemic and a new era of digitisation, have brought major uncertainty to the workplace. Although the pandemic is receding into our rearview, this environment of uncertainty has prevailed, somewhat, into 2024. 

So is now the right time to seek a fresh challenge and change your employer?

Factors to consider

 If you’re considering an imminent career change, you may be asking yourself, “What is a strategic career move?”.

It’s worthwhile to ask yourself what your personal motivators for changing employer are. For example:

1. How long have you been considering a career move?
2. Do you feel valued as an employee?
3. What employee benefits are most important to you?
4. Do you feel like your employer takes due consideration when it comes to managing your welfare?
5. What, specifically, about your current job makes you feel the need for a change?
6. Have your financial circumstances changed such that you need to look for a new opportunity?

Never leave a role without first accepting another. This isn’t a rule of thumb, but from a security standpoint, it’s very advisable. It’s also essential to assess the new employer’s financial health before accepting a position.

When lining yourself up for a career change, it’s vital to update your CV to stand out to potential employers.

Assessing your employer and the industry

In considering the pros and cons of a career change, assessing your current—and any potential future—employers is an important step.

You may find your decision becomes easier by asking yourself the following questions:

1. How is the industry you work in performing? Is it stable or has a shift in financial volatility and customer behaviour impacted it adversely?
2. Is there an obvious demand for your skills and experience within the industry you work in?
3. Does your employer consider your job role essential or is it vulnerable? Consider any industry trends.

Expert help for career changes

Several market areas are booming in the UK, including Rail & Infrastructure, Defence, and Renewable Energy. There is a shortage of skilled, qualified talent for many roles in these sectors, and now is a strategic time to consider a change in profession.

If you’re skilled in these areas, we, at TRS Staffing, would love to hear from you. As an experienced global staffing agency, we are committed to facilitating smooth career changes for professionals across a range of industries.

Take a look at our available positions and discover your next exciting career move.