Career change is a big decision and not an easy one. Many people make these kinds of changes with the help of professional assistance, often in the form of a job coach or personal business coach. Career change offers numerous benefits and unique perks, but it also brings some challenges. This blog post attempts to weigh the pros and cons of hiring someone to make a career change within your organization.
The Pros of Hiring Someone That Is Making A Career Change
Flexibility A career change is a period of transition that can lead to various new opportunities in your professional life. It is not uncommon for new hires to find a better fit for their skills, expertise, and experience than that available within your organization. The switch could be suitable for both parties if the new hire is open to a career change and willing to relocate.
A Fresh Approach A professional career change can sometimes bring a fresh perspective to your business. The person you hire may bring a new skill set or take on a different outlook regarding strategy and process improvement. Their view of life and how they function within it can often be quite valuable. It can be especially true if the hired person is moving into another department, yearning for something more than they currently have.
New Experiences A new career may open up opportunities to learn and experience different facets of a business. These opportunities may result in job titles or even raises, depending on how successful the transition is. From a work or life balance perspective, this can be a positive for both the new hire and the organization. There are Lexington KY entry level jobs in different industries that can often be rewarding, and the new hire will feel kept busy with various new tasks.
Passion While not a necessary component of a career change, passion is often an incredible asset to any individual. If the new hire is passionate about their new path, you can be confident that they are likely to bring this passion with them and deliver it in their work. A renewed sense of confidence and purpose often leads to success.
More Leads One of the first things a company should consider when hiring someone making a career change is whether this person will bring contacts or references already within your network. If they do, you are well on finding more potential customers or vendors for your business.
Open-Mindedness An open mind is one of the most important assets to have. Someone willing to explore possibilities outside their current comfort zone or area of expertise may be a good fit for your organization. They should be more than willing to listen to new ideas and feedback and apply them appropriately.
Increased Drive and Ambition A newly hired career changer will likely bring an increased sense of drive, ambition, and motivation into their new position or department. It can lead to excellent leadership potential within your organization if adequately harnessed through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities.
Additional Skills and Abilities Career changers often bring other skills and abilities of tremendous value to an organization. A career change does not always mean the new hire will enter the company in a completely different capacity. It could just mean their role has changed within the same department or area of expertise.
The Cons of Hiring Someone That Is Making A Career Change
Choose Money Over Interests A common problem you will encounter when making a career change is that the new hire will be more interested in money rather than their interest in the work. It can lead to a lack of motivation and drive, eventually impacting their performance. They are not passionate about their new line of work, which could lead to a decision to leave.
Lack of Skill Set While there are many positive aspects to hiring someone to make a career change, you should consider one harmful, which has to do with skill set. As mentioned above, skills are easily transferable and may not be an issue, depending on the career change the individual makes.
Career Path Not Aligned with the Organization Another concern is that a career change may not align with your organization’s goals or vision for the future. If they are not, the new hire may not feel invested in the organization, and you should consider if this is something worth bearing through.
New Relationship Development Career change is often a transitional period in which the new hire will begin to build new relationships with co-workers. It can lead to a lack of familiarity and misunderstanding between parties if the person you hire is not already well on their way in this area.
Uncertainty Making a career change is an emotional time. While it often leads to personal growth, it can also lead to uncertainty within the new hire. As a result, they may not be as productive or focused as you would like them to be during this adjustment period. Focusing on their personal growth and allowing them time to find their footing in your organization will help with this issue.
A career change can be a very positive and exciting experience. However, there is also a great deal of uncertainty involved. As a result, measuring the potential outcome closely is essential, and making the best possible decision based on that information. Being well informed about the pros and cons of hiring someone to make a career change will help you make an informed decision about this matter.
