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Stepping out into the unknown, whether that's to a new country or with your job, can be incredibly scary.

Slowly but surely questions start to appear in your head doubting your success in changing careers. What if I it doesn't work out? What if I can't do it? What if I fail and I can't go back to my old career?

Well, the 'big if' can make things pretty daunting, but it's those who decide not to let doubt overcome them that often succeed.

Lucy Allcard was in exactly the same boat. Things had changed at work in her career and she was at a crossroads. It was then the 'big if' question turned into 'what about recruitment?'

The difference between when I started my “first career” and when I left was phenomenal.  I was an FX sales trader for Corporate Customers and High Net-worth individuals.  Being a “people person”, I loved that the bulk of my day was spent on the phone; business developing, providing market information, pricing and generally building relationships.

10 years later my role had transformed and for me it just didn’t tick the boxes any more.  Technology had made the industry much more “self service”. The general public had more access to financial information and pricing, and after the downturn the landscape (and pay!!) had changed significantly in my sector.  I decided it was a time for a change.

Changing industry can be incredibly difficult, scary and risky.  I needed to take a step back and evaluate what the next move should be.  The process I went through was lengthy and I had to be certain I was doing the right thing.

So what tips would I give someone looking at changing career?

• Do your research – Find people in your network who have done the same and seek their advice.  People are naturally keen to talk about their experiences and help.  Try and find out as much about the downside as well as the upside so you go in with your eyes open and can manage your own expectations
• Will it open other doors in the future? – Try to ensure that what you go in to is not too niche and has long term career prospects
• Be prepared to take a step back initially – it can be difficult going from being an experienced member of staff to starting all over again.  Try to do something that can utilise your career to date.  If it’s not a direct correlation, think about the transferrable skills you have picked up and use these
• Be patient with yourself – It’s going to take some time and of course hard work.  I definitely had some shaky moments so be realistic with pressure and the goals you set yourself
• Don’t interview too soon – Ensure you have made the right decision before you interview.  When you have made your choice try and get some interviews and feedback under your belt first before targeting your number 1 choice.  What you pick up in the interview process and advice you are given along the way will evolve and shape how effectively you interview so try and save the best till last!
• Find out if courses are really necessary – it might be better to gain work experience/work for free in a sector than pay money for a useless qualification

If you are keen to use your existing industry experience for something “different” but not waste the industry knowledge you have gained so far, have you thought about recruitment?  If not, carry on looking around this site and why not read some of the interviews with other career changers? Find out how Desiree switched careers, or how Tsuguo moved back to Japan after living in the USA and changed his career path.

If you have thought about recruitment, then what are you waiting for? Send us your CV here!