Are you pondering a change in your career? The world has been in a weird place for the last couple of years, and the pandemic has made many people reassess what they wanted from their careers and where they wanted their work to be based. CNBC has reported that 50% of American workers are looking to make a change in their careers, and people’s attitudes toward work have dramatically increased this number following the pandemic.

You can change your career. There are plenty of reasons why you might be thinking of changing careers. Despite pleas from both companies like Apple and even the President of the United States, many are not keen to return to the office now that they’ve gotten used to working from home. Maybe you’re looking for the flexibility of working from home, or you’ve discovered a passion for a different industry during the pandemic.

Whatever the reason for making the switch, some things can help you transition to a new career as quickly and easily as possible. Here are a few top tips for changing jobs in the modern workplace.

Have an Honest Conversation with Yourself

No change comes without risk. Whether you’re starting your own business or working at a new company, there could be a dip in income when you make the change to your new career. You’ll probably start at the bottom of the corporate ladder where you are going, and you need to be comfortable with the risk you’re taking. Be honest with yourself about how long you can go before your finances return to their previous state or what job security you’ll need.

You’re likely to encounter setbacks in your new role, so have a plan for how you’ll react to the unknown. Answer honestly when you ask yourself if you are in the right place mentally and emotionally to take this kind of risk. If not, it might not be the right time. Now, asking yourself these tough questions could save you a lot of heartache later.

Shore Up Your Skills

If you’re planning to make a change in your career, you’ll want to get all the new skills and experience you can. Google has a specific formula for learning new skills. However, you don’t always have to be quite that prescriptive with the process.

If you’re looking to join a new company in a new field, your resume might not look precisely what most hiring managers are after, but that doesn’t mean you have nothing to offer. Make an honest assessment of your skills, compare them to the seniority of the job position you’re looking for, and work to bridge the gaps between the two by reskilling or upskilling.

If you’re a programmer, AskMoney recommends using the Thinkful Coding Bootcamp when aiming for more demanding roles. Similarly, Udemy offers relevant courses for graphic design — another in-demand skill right now. Even your hobbies can help you find soft skills that you might not have formally gained in your career. This can come in handy, especially if you’re looking to nab a leadership role.

Get Comfortable Networking

We get it; many don’t like networking. It can be awkward and difficult, especially if you’re not the most outgoing person. However, there is a reason why. “It’s not who you know or what you know, but who knows you” has been a known for so long. Knowing someone in the industry is the best way to get your foot in the door. Even if they aren’t in a position to actively offer you a job, they could at least look over your application to provide suggestions or give you some insight into the company’s hiring practices.

That’s why you should attend as many webinars, conferences, and conventions as possible. Go in with an open mind and be willing to chat and swap numbers with everyone you can. It’s also important to up your social media game, especially on professional sites like LinkedIn. Cultivating more than 500 LinkedIn connections, regularly publishing, commenting on posts, and working to make your brand stand out are just some of the tips outlined in ‘Is My LinkedIn Profile Good Enough?’ When it comes to networking, it’s best to do as much as you can. You never know who will be the person to help you land your big break.

With companies finally acknowledging the effects of the Great Resignation and working to meet employee demands, there’s no better time to change your career than now. These three simple steps can do more than help you get started – they’re crucial to ensuring the success of your career development goals.