From Role to Role for Employment Hero

Thinking about a career change in 2026? These days, switching careers isn’t just about a new job, it’s a strategic move to future-proof not just your professional skills, but your earning potential, as well as finding work that truly aligns with your goals.

While a jump into a new career may feel daunting, it’s actually a calculated investment into your long-term growth and adaptability in today’s job market. Here we’ll show you how to make a successful change in career by assessing where you are now, identifying high-growth opportunities and building a clear, strategic plan for a confident career change in 2026.

Why a career change in 2026 is a smart move

It goes without saying that the world of work is changing faster than ever. Trends that were once on the horizon are now shaping today’s roles and industries. The rise of AI and automation is everywhere and is constantly evolving the world as we know it. And thus, we must also evolve, making a change in career more necessary and accessible than before.

At the same time, employers are shifting their focus. The CIPD reported that 83% of UK employers are now prioritising skills-based hiring over traditional qualifications. This has opened new doors for many professionals with transferable skills to move into a new field. Industries including green energy, digital health and advanced tech are creating roles that didn’t exist just a few years ago, offering fresh opportunities to those willing to adapt.

Common fears and risks when making a career change

A change in career may be the logical next step for you as a professional, but that doesn’t stop you from worrying about the what ifs and unknowns. Let’s explore some of the more common fears and why they might not be as much of a problem as you think.

Fear of starting from scratch

The biggest worry you might have is the fear of going back to square one. But in reality, most career changes aren’t a complete reset; your experience, knowledge and transferable skills can still be put to use. Employers are putting more value on adaptability, problem solving and communication which means much of what you’ve already built in your career remains relevant.

Fear of a pay cut

A temporary drop in salary is to be expected, especially when starting in a completely new field. However, a strategic pivot will most likely end up giving you a stronger and higher earning potential in the future. Which is why planning your transition carefully by building skills and targeting roles with clear progression is key in minimising financial risk.

Fear of failure or making the wrong move

You may wonder if you’re choosing the ‘wrong’ career but don’t let this stop you in your tracks. Think of it as an experiment rather than a final decision until you’ve secured a job offer. You could always try freelance work or small projects to test a new direction before committing.

Fear of age or experience working against you

Some worry that they are either too junior or too senior to make the switch. In 2026, age shouldn’t be a consideration when it comes to being hired for a role. Instead an employer should focus on your capabilities, skills and qualifications to decide whether or not you are suitable.

Managing risk with a strategic approach

The biggest risk when changing careers is doing it without a plan. A structured approach that involves research, gradual upskilling, networking and practical experience can significantly reduce uncertainty and increase your chances of success.

How long does a career change take in 2026?

Well the short answer is: it depends. 

Firstly, on how closely your current skills align with your new role and how much retraining is required. For some, a career change can take 3-6 months particularly when moving into roles that value transferable skills such as project management, HR, digital marketing or customer success. These transitions often involve targeted upskilling alongside an active job search.

More technical or specialised career changes typically take 6 to 12 months, allowing time to complete courses, build practical experience and develop a portfolio. Highly regulated or technical careers may require 12 to 24 months of retraining, especially where formal qualifications are essential.

Ultimately, a successful career change isn’t about speed but preparation. A clear plan, realistic milestones and consistent progress are far more important than rushing into the next role.

But the question on everyone’s mind? How to actually pivot into a brand new career in 2026? Let’s find out.

Step 1: Assess your current career

Before you let yourself start daydreaming about your new role, you first need to understand where you currently are.

Identify what’s not working

Think about what’s prompted you to think about switching careers? And try to be specific. Are you feeling unrecognised, like half of UK employees according to our Work That Works Report or is your industry in decline or perhaps do you lack opportunities for growth? All valid reasons for wanting a career change, but your specific reason will be the foundation of your search.

Evaluate your transferable skills

Despite what you may think, you will have more transferable skills than you first thought. It’s not just your technical abilities that will transfer to a new career but also your soft skills, which according to a Marks Sattin GI Group Holding and Thomas report, 51% of HR decision makers place a greater value on soft skills and they also note that there is also a greater shortage of soft skills, around 43% compared to just 17% for hard skills. It’s these soft skills that help you bring yourself as a new hire up to optimal productivity faster.

Some of the top in-demand soft skills according to the World Economic Forum are:

• Analytical thinking.
• Resilience, flexibility and agility.
• Leadership and social influence.
• Creative thinking.

So, think about the soft skills you possess and how they could help in bridging to your new career path.

Use self-assessment tools

It can often help to get a little perspective. And in this case an outside perspective can help aid in your search. Tools like Myers-Briggs personality test or career-fit quizzes could provide you with new insights into careers that you may not have considered before.

Step 2: Set clear career goals

Once you have a good understanding of where you currently are, it’s time to hone in on where you’d like to be. Setting clear career goals will help you be intentional with your search and evaluate the suitability of your new career path against your career goals.

Define success in your new role

What does an ideal workday look like? Think beyond the tasks and responsibilities of the role itself and think about the day to day. Some things to consider could include:

• Do you want more flexibility and remote work options?
• Are you driven by a higher salary or a better work-life balance?
• Do you want to work for a company with a strong social mission?

Answering questions like this will help you envision what your ideal workday looks like and gives you parameters to adhere to in your search.

Align goals with future trends

Don’t just think about roles that are emerging or popular right now; try to think about the roles of tomorrow. Look into what jobs will grow over the next decade or so and think a little outside the box about what those roles could evolve into as well. This will help you align your career change with roles that will increase job security while positioning you as a future proofed candidate.

Create SMART goals

Using the tried and tested SMART goals method now will help turn those dreams into an actionable plan. Here’s an example of how to use the framework to turn your vision into a plan.

• Specific: ‘I want to become a data analyst’ not ‘I want to work in tech’.
• Measurable: ‘I will complete 3 online data analytics projects or courses’.
• Achievable: Set realistic milestones for your learning and job search.
• Relevant: Ensure each step directly supports your goal of becoming a data analyst.
• Time-bound: ‘I will start applying for junior data analyst roles within 6 months’.

Step 3: Research high-growth career paths

Explore industries with growth potential

Once you have your goals defined you can start exploring industries and roles that you think align with your goals, but remember to keep in mind their growth potential as well.

Think about sectors that are expanding and fast like, energy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and healthcare technology to name a few. Make sure to read industry reports, read content from thought leaders and generally get a good understanding of the industry and where it’s heading.

Identify skills gaps

A part of your research should include looking at job descriptions that interest you to identify any skills and qualifications required. Some of these you may already have, but some that appear repeatedly, may not.

This will help you identify any skills you are lacking to secure positions like this or similar and you can then put a plan in place to secure them and become a competitive applicant. 

Step 4: Build a strategic pivot plan

Now is the time to put everything you’ve researched into a strategic plan. This plan will act as your roadmap for your career change and outline each step.

Upskill and reskill

Remember those skills gaps identified earlier? Focus on gaining practical knowledge in those areas, whether that be informal learning through online courses and YouTube or formal training in the form of qualifications that are needed for the roles you are interested in.

Network effectively

As the saying goes, it’s not always what you know, but who you know. And networking is a key part of your journey. Making connections in your target industry/s or role can potentially help you be referred for certain roles. But before we get ahead of ourselves, your first point of call should be to ask for informal chats to ask particular people in those industries and roles questions, learn about their experience and ask for advice.

Gain relevant experience

Gaining relevant experience won’t always come from a new job. Most of the time you’ll likely have to find that experience elsewhere and there are a few places to look before you start applying for jobs.

• Freelance opportunities on sites like UpWork and Fiverr can give you a jump start.
• Volunteering for non-profits to add work to your portfolio can help give you an edge.
• Personal projects can also help you to showcase your abilities such as a website, data analysis project and more.

How Employment Hero can help you launch into a new career in 2026

Successfully pivoting your career in 2026 isn’t just about finding the right role, it’s also about joining a workplace that supports growth, learning and long-term progression.

Employment Hero makes this possible. With tools like SmartMatch for career-fit assessments, streamlined onboarding, learning and development platforms and performance management frameworks, we help businesses create environments where careers can thrive, not stagnate.

Whether you’re stepping into a new career or helping your team grow into their next role, having the right HR, payroll and people management platform in place can make all the difference.