Making a living from your passion, pursuing a childhood dream, mastering your schedule, adapting to a new family situation… there are many reasons why a person might decide to change career. But for many, it’s just something they want to do for a while. Few dare to take the plunge. And yet, there’s no shortage of professions that are conducive to professional reconversion. Becoming a consultant, coach or trainer, entrepreneur, digital nomad or even hotelier and restaurateur, a myriad of opportunities are open to you. These solutions are ideal for anyone, regardless of their initial training. You can also organize them to suit your own needs and expectations.

Still not sure? Read on for more details.

Why consider career transition?

Need an argument to encourage you to change careers? The good news is that there are plenty of them. Perhaps that’s also why the number of jobs suitable for retraining has multiplied in recent years. However, one of the most common reasons is the search for a better salary. The question of money is often taboo, yet it’s one of the main reasons why the vast majority of us decide to change professions. Whether it’s to improve your living conditions or to meet a specific need, you can’t refuse to be better paid.

Of course, the financial aspect is not the only motivation to consider. There’s also the desire for a change of environment. In fact, it’s one of the major factors in turning to other professions that are conducive to retraining. Perhaps the company you’re currently working for is on the verge of bankruptcy, or simply no longer gives you the same day-to-day satisfaction. Don’t wait until you’re on the verge of burn-out before changing direction.

You can also decide to change direction to follow your passion. After all, there’s no better way to feel fulfilled. And given the number of hours we spend at work, it would certainly be better to do something that inspires and motivates us every day.

Another reason for considering which professions are suitable for retraining is the emergence of new needs. We’re talking here about special situations such as the birth of a child or the onset of an illness. Perhaps you’d like to organize your time differently or lighten your workload. Of course, it could also be a simple desire to learn. A career change is an excellent way to discover new horizons and feed your intellectual curiosity.

Career change: when to take the plunge?

The answer depends on the individual. In fact, you’re in the best position to know when a change is needed, when it’s time to consider a different career path. However, there are certain signs that can tell you it’s time to take the plunge. These include

Boredom at work (your job no longer motivates you);
Burnout (the workload has become too heavy, you can’t keep up);
Bad office atmosphere (the toxic environment has taken its toll on your psychological well-being);
A feeling of stagnation (the routine is exasperating you);
Lack of opportunity to evolve (you’ve been at the same point for years);
A feeling of uselessness;
The desire to challenge yourself (challenges are the best way to maintain your motivation)…

Promising sectors for career change

If you’re thinking of making a career change, the first thing to do is certainly to research your options. At this stage, consider not only your own skills, but also your long-term objectives. A career change is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires real introspection and reflection. You probably don’t want to end up with a job that pays little or nothing.

That’s why it’s important to understand what’s at stake before making your choice from among the professions that are suitable for retraining. It’s best to take things slowly, with a side project for example. By doing so, you can ensure financial stability by keeping your current job, while working on your side project, which you can develop step by step.

To help you in your choice, here are a few avenues worth exploring.

RETRAINING AS A CONSULTANT
Do you have solid experience in a particular field? Have you developed an extensive business network? Are you particularly adept at interpersonal communication? Well, becoming a consultant is certainly an excellent choice when it comes to retraining. According to the dictionary definition, this term refers to “a person who gives consultations, who acts in an advisory capacity”. You can support companies and start-ups in the development of their activities.

Admittedly, there’s no magic formula or secret that will enable you to succeed in this field. But passion and a commitment to excellence are essential for success. Then think about identifying profitable niches and developing your skills, once you’ve chosen one of the professions that is suitable for retraining.

Strengthen your entrepreneurial spirit.
Create a solid system for attracting prospects.
Take care of your advertising.
Strengthen your persuasiveness.
Evolve your offer.

The main advantage of this solution is that it is suitable for all industries and professions.

EDUCATION AND COACHING
The field of training, teaching and coaching also represents an excellent choice for a career change. First and foremost, there’s entry into the education system. Of course, being a school teacher (which is particularly rewarding and fulfilling) is not the only option for retraining. You could also consider online courses and tutoring, which are growing at a rapid pace thanks to digital development. Here again, the possibilities are endless, both in terms of the subject matter to be taught and the level of learners. It’s up to you to identify your area of expertise and start looking for customers.

Another option is to become an independent trainer. The main advantage of this solution is that it generally requires no specific diploma. So you can work in the discipline that interests you. You should also consider your passion before choosing among the professions that are suitable for retraining. Language trainer, vocational integration trainer, IT trainer, corporate communications trainer… the choice is very wide.

You can also opt for coaching. The main difference with training lies in the objective of the coaching. Training aims to enrich knowledge, while coaching prepares clients to deal with their various blockages. Here again, the possibilities are endless (sports coach, corporate coach, life coach…).

In all cases, obtaining accreditation from the institution corresponding to your sector of activity can help you gain credibility.

PROFESSIONS CONDUCIVE TO ENTREPRENEURIAL RECONVERSION
Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is undoubtedly the most popular option for professional retraining. After all, the prospect of becoming one’s own boss, or of controlling one’s own time and income, is still just as appealing. However, there are a few pitfalls along the way. These include :

Choice of legal form;
Lack of a business plan;
Lack of will or patience;
Sloppy market analysis;
Neglect of financial forecasts…

There are also a large number of professions that are suitable for retraining, but the pressure can also be enormous. After all, you’re responsible for your own results. So, to ensure your success, consider the essential steps involved in setting up a business. These include :

Project set-up and management;
Action plan;
Legal status;
Administrative procedures.

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
The hotel and restaurant business also represents a particularly interesting sector for professional reorientation. It may not be the easiest adventure of all, but it is potentially very profitable. There are also a large number of professions in this field that are ideal for retraining. You can, for example, take over an existing establishment if you’re afraid of starting from scratch. However, you need to pay particular attention to all the potential problems and constraints associated with this activity. Likewise, don’t overlook the importance of a good market study (including an assessment of the location and the competition).

Guest houses have also become increasingly popular in recent years. This option remains an excellent way of enhancing the value of your property, while taking advantage of a certain availability during the day.

You can also consider a career in pastry-making or baking. It’s also an idea that appeals to many people, perhaps because of the place these little treats occupy in our life. So, if you love cooking, why not get down to it?

In any case, you need to take into account the regulations in force before embarking on a particular project. Find out what diplomas, certifications or licenses are required. Make sure you’re in compliance with the law. And do a little research beforehand to assess opportunities and risks.

THE RIGHT PROFESSIONS FOR RETRAINING IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
Technological advances have constantly created new opportunities in recent years. In fact, web professions are among the most promising today, even after recent events. Indeed, this is one of the few sectors to have been spared the health crisis. The need to telecommute has led to a resurgence in interest, but this is by no means a new phenomenon. Over the past decade, we have seen the emergence of a new category of worker, the digital nomad. In fact, a number of professions that are ideal for professional retraining can be carried out remotely (sales representative, remote medical secretary, virtual assistant, private tutor, etc.).

However, you can also choose a profession specific to the digital world. Among the most popular choices are activities in :

Content production (web copywriting and content management) –
Web design (webdesigner, web developer, multimedia graphic designer, etc.);
Training (supporting companies in their digital transformation);
Community management;
E-business consulting…

A few additional tips for a successful career change

A change of profession is generally equivalent to a change of life. And while there are plenty of professions to choose from, it’s important to make the right choice so you don’t get caught out. In fact, it requires a lot more effort. So, first and foremost, develop your resilience. Patience also plays an important role here, as the results will not be palpable after just a few weeks. This process takes time.

A successful career change also requires you to take a few essential steps. Of course, considering your passion and interests is essential, but it’s not enough. Nor is it always easy to choose the right career for you. So think about :

Carry out a skills assessment (to identify your strengths);
Ask a professional to help you;
Strengthen your skills (perhaps by going back to school);
Learn how to organize yourself (especially to juggle your various responsibilities);
Promote yourself.

And there you have it: all the keys to a successful reorientation. Now it’s up to you…