Lyndy van den Barselaar, managing director of Manpower South Africa, provides her insights into how to successfully navigate a career transition. “The digital transformation is indeed making some roles obsolete, but is also opening up several new industries, business and roles for those currently in the workforce, looking for employment and even those pursuing entrepreneurship. This has seen many people moving into new career fields and even new industries completely, and has highlighted the importance of continuous training and upskilling.”
Van den Barselaar explains that it is important to approach and manage a career transition seriously and in the right way, to ensure the best possible outcome. “Below is a list of the top tips to follow when considering a career transition.”
It may also be beneficial to seek a mentor in the new field you aspire to enter, and to reach out to people in your network to gain a better understanding of your plan and how best to navigate it successfully.
“With thousands of online learning platforms available, education is easily available, and even at no cost. Manpower’s powerYOU training platform provides candidates with free online access to courses in SQL, JAVA and C# programming languages. Internships are also a great way to learn about a new field or industry while gaining practical experience.”
“If you already have the necessary skills, begin putting these to use using freelance websites that allow you to register your skills and work with businesses looking to outsource these skills. Not only will this give you valuable experience, but will allow you to build a reputation for yourself through the reviews provided by those who contracted you,” says van den Barselaar.
“A career transition can be unsettling, especially when it is as a result of retrenchment or lack of employment opportunities. It is important to be clear on the kinds of opportunities that you can pursue, and have a plan on how best to pursue these,” says van den Barselaar.
“A career transition requires dedication, careful planning, determination and hard work. However, it could also mean the difference between a career path that is relevant in five years and one that is running on limited time,” concludes van den Barselaar.