Life is too short to be stuck in a career you hate. Let’s face it: inertia is probably more stressful – and toxic over the long run than taking action to make a career change.

But switching careers is a big decision. Yet, with the economy evolving so rapidly, traditional jobs are fast disappearing. The pressure to make changes, whether it be upskilling or moving into something entirely new, is real.

Here are five must-read tips to help you navigate a career change successfully.

1. Make a list of your interests and transferable skills (a.k.a. strengths)

The fear that no employer will bother to consider you because you’ve little to no experience as a career changer can be overwhelming. Some experience paralysis by analysis.

You can avoid that that by making a list of your interests (what you hope to do in a new career) and match them up with transferable skills.

If you’re a mid-career professional, you’d probably have years of experience and transferable skills under your belt. For example, people management is a transferable skill that applies across industries.

Then, arrange your interests and skills such that you place what you’re most keen on to transition into at the top, then match transferable skills to that.

2. Research and talk to people in the trade

While the Internet is a huge resource for finding information, talking to people who’re in the industry you aim to switch shouldn’t be optional.

After all, a career change requires lots of consideration. What better way to find out than through the horse’s mouth?

Suss out the good, the bad and the ugly. Ok, seriously, we’re talking about asking important questions like:

• What’s the entry criteria like?
• What opportunities are there for mid-career changers in this industry? Do we start at the very bottom, or is there an alternative track that leverages on our experience and transferable skills?
• What’s the culture like in your organization?
• How is my career expected to grow in the next few years?

3. Explore your new career first as a side gig

Whenever possible, work your new career as a side gig. This means you keep your day job and use weekends and your free time to develop yourself in your new career.

This could help to make you feel more secure as you still have a stable income. Keeping it as a side gig also allows you the opportunity to see if you like it enough to make it fulltime.

Check with your HR manager about the side gig before you start. Some companies prohibit staff to moonlight, while some are fine as long as employees declare that the side gig isn’t a conflict of interest.

4. Sit for exams, get the licenses, the works

Some career changes require you to sit for professional exams and be licensed to operate in the industry.

Ask yourself if you’re willing to invest the time, money and effort for these exams. If you’re juggling a fulltime job, children or ageing parents, it could be challenging.

If you’ve made up your mind to do it, that’s cool. Always prioritize your tasks and manage your time properly.

5. Get your family to support you in your cause

Changing a career is not just about you. It impacts your family financially, and emotionally. If you’re taking a pay cut to move to a new career, make sure you have an emergency fund in place.

Ideally, you should have at savings amounting to at least six months of your current salary.

Making a mid-career switch could also mean you may be working longer hours at the outset to get up to speed. At times, you may be absent from family dinners and functions. Make sure you’ve got the support and understanding of your family.

Remember, you’re never too old to plan a career change. You may even be thinking about working for yourself, and that’s cool.

Don’t view change as scary. See it as an opportunity to learn something new and that should help in more ways than once.

All the best!