How To Change Careers Without Regretting It

Forbes

07-05-2025

Changing careers can feel risky, here's how to do it the right way getty
The thought of walking away from an unfulfilling career can feel exhilarating until fear creeps in. Fear of pay cuts. Fear of starting from scratch. Fear of making a move you'll instantly regret.
As exciting as a career change can be, the idea of risking everything you've built can feel heavier than staying stuck where you are. But the truth is, you can make a career change without losing the seniority, stability, or success you've worked hard for in your career. Here's how to navigate your next move with clarity, and avoid a career change you'll regret.
A total career overhaul might sound appealing, especially when you've been feeling unhappy in your career for a while, but you don't need to change everything at once to make a successful pivot. Before committing to a massive shift, ask yourself: 'What's truly missing in my career right now?'
While reflecting on what's missing, break it down into three core categories: the work itself, the company, and the culture. Often, it's not all three that need to change. It's likely one or two. Maybe you enjoy the work but need a culture that values your voice. Or maybe the company is solid—you like their products and services, but the work no longer excites you.
Identifying the true gap helps you determine whether you need a full industry change or simply a more fulfilling role at a better company. When you're clear on what you genuinely need to thrive, you're less likely to overcorrect and more likely to make an intentional, aligned move.
One of the biggest mistakes I see high-achievers make when navigating a career change is focusing only on what they hate. But it's equally important to consider the qualities you enjoy or maybe even take for granted in your current role. Skipping this step is often how people end up in a new role that solves one problem but creates another.
For instance, let's say you currently enjoy a high level of autonomy and work with a collaborative, supportive team. But, you overlook those things because you're so focused on better compensation. You could find yourself in a new job that pays more but feels stifling, isolated, or overly rigid, landing you right back at square one.
To prevent this, before you jump into something new, take a step back and ask yourself: 'What parts of my current job, company, or career do I like, or at least don't mind?' It's easy to ignore these things when you're focused on escaping, but making the right next move will require you to have a list of things you'd like to keep, too. Don't discredit your expertise:
If you're worried that changing careers means starting from scratch, one of the best ways to avoid that outcome is to stop undervaluing the experience and knowledge you already have. Instead of assuming your skills don't translate, get curious. What roles or industries value the expertise you bring to the table?
For example, I worked with a client who wanted to move out of product management. Instead of making a complete 180, she realized that pivoting to a consulting role in a more fulfilling industry would allow her to leverage her existing skill set, without sacrificing seniority. Once you've identified roles that align with your strengths, don't default to lower-level positions just because you're entering new territory. If your expertise holds weight, and it likely does, you can position yourself for senior-level opportunities where your experience is seen as an asset, not a liability.
Changing careers can feel risky, especially when you've worked hard to get where you are now. But you don't have to throw everything away to pursue something more fulfilling. The key to a successful pivot isn't starting from scratch, it's knowing what to change, what to keep, and how to lead with the expertise you already have.
Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure new positions they love without applying to jobs 24/7, starting over or settling for less. Grab her dream job guide.