Contrary to popular belief, this may be a good time for those who want to shift career into a brand new field. There may be a chance to buffer your career change – financially and emotionally – by going part time in your old job as you establish credibility in pastures new.
It’s not because the job market is flush of course…almost the reverse: many HR departments are feeling squeezed, yet treasure their best, experienced people. And that means that if you’re known and respected in your current job, your employer may accept a request from you to go part time. It might even suit them to pay you a little less, but not lose your unique brilliance and experience in the team.
I’m a great advocate of a staged career shift. Why leap off a precipice if you can take the ramp? Many of my coachees want to change career quite radically. And they don’t want (or need) to start at the bottom. Or live on baked beans.
But they often have some knowledge or experience gaps to fill before they are ready for a stimulating role in a brand new field. They may need to prove their interest and commitment to that field. For people going freelance or setting up new business, they need to build up first client relationships and get the company off the ground.
This is where the staged transition can help. Going part time in your existing job will give you the chance to study, intern, volunteer or whatever it takes, to prove your interest and get a good foundation in the new area. Meanwhile you have the security – emotional and financial – and credibility of your existing work.
The old job no longer has to fulfil you – it can simply serve as a useful buffer while you find your way to the work you love.
My coachees usually say their company doesn’t ‘do’ part time contracts for people in their position. Well, times are changing. Dozens have found – as I have myself – that they can negotiate in this climate, more easily than they thought.
Imagine making a pro-rata shift to a 4 day or 3 day week as you establish yourself in a field of your choosing. We can work on your negotiation, creatively finding ways to an arrangement that works for you and doesn’t disadvantage your employer or clients too much.
It’s cheeky – but at the moment, it normally succeeds. It makes this a surprisingly good time to start the shift.
Rosie Walford
Rosie Walford coaches individuals, runs creative coaching weeks in the mountains of Spain and individual breakthrough walks in New Zealand. See www.thebigstretch.com or contact coaching@thebigstretch.com
See also James Miller’s Career Shift story.
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