How can you retrain and start a new chapter in your career?

A career change is the process of consciously switching professions or moving into a completely different field. It can involve either moving into a new sector (e.g. from administration to sales) or developing in a direction entirely different from one’s previous specialism. It involves acquiring new skills, changing one’s working environment and, often, adopting a different mindset regarding one’s career. Importantly, a career change does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. Many skills, such as communication, work organisation, data analysis and the ability to work in a team, are transferable.

Where should you look for a job after a career change? Those planning a career change should look out for organisations that offer genuine opportunities for development and on-the-job learning. Job offers at Foodcom include both junior positions and more senior roles in an international environment. This is particularly important for those who want to enter a new industry but do not yet have many years of experience.

Before you decide to change your career path, it’s best to approach the process in a systematic way. Changing careers doesn’t start with sending out your resume, but with analyzing your own situation, skills, and realistic opportunities in the job market. A good starting point is to reflect honestly on a few key areas:

• what skills you already have and which of them could be useful in a different role;
• what gives you satisfaction in your current job, and what is a source of frustration;
• which tasks you enjoy doing most and in which areas you feel confident;
• in which direction you want to develop over the next few years;
• which industries are growing rapidly and offer real opportunities for entry.

Such an analysis helps you avoid making random decisions and better align your new career path with your own aptitudes.

Changing careers is not just a decision, but also a strategy. Once you’ve identified a general direction, the next step is to acquire the knowledge and skills needed in your new field. In most cases, this is a phased process that doesn’t require an immediate overhaul of your entire professional life. What does this look like step by step?

1. Skills assessment – see what you already know. Analyze your professional experience to date. Consider which skills might be useful in your new role, even if they come from a different industry. It often turns out that many skills are transferable and can easily be applied to a new environment.
2. Choosing a direction – identify a new industry. The foundation is a conscious decision about the area in which you want to develop. It’s a good idea to consider both your interests and the current needs of the job market.
3. Learning and development – focus on acquiring knowledge and practical skills. These can include, for example, online courses, industry-specific training, or learning through various projects. The most important thing is to combine theory with practice, which will prepare you for the job.
4. Entering the job market – apply for entry-level positions. Your first applications may be for junior roles or entry-level positions. This is a natural step when entering a new industry, allowing you to gain your first experience.
5. Building experience – grow in your new role. Once you’ve landed your first job, it’s essential to consistently develop your skills. Every project and new task accelerates the process of adapting to your new environment.

In many cases, the first step involves junior positions, which allow you to enter a new industry without prior experience. Moreover, they often represent the safest and most natural way to gain experience “from the inside.”

In the job market, it is becoming increasingly clear that Foodcom S.A. is a place where changing career paths is not only possible but actively encouraged. The company operates in the international commodities trading sector and prioritizes the development of employees’ skills regardless of their prior experience. This is particularly important for those considering a career change – as it demonstrates that entering a new industry need not be an insurmountable barrier.

Positions are emerging within the organization that often serve as a good starting point for those changing career paths. One example is the Junior International Commodity Trader – a role that allows you to gain experience in international trade, market analysis, and working with partners from various countries.

The best way to understand a career change is through the experiences of others. In the article “From Sales Support to HR Director: Ania’s Story at Foodcom S.A.,” you’ll learn how advancing within a single organization can lead to a completely new role and set of responsibilities. This is an example of how changing careers doesn’t always mean changing companies – sometimes a change in direction is all it takes.

In turn, Adam Carecci’s story at Foodcom S.A., “You Need Goals, Not Dreams,” shows how consistency and clear career goals can lead to growth in a dynamic international environment. Such examples are important because they show a real career path, not just theory.

Regardless of the industry in which you plan to grow, there is a set of universal competencies that significantly facilitate the process of changing careers. These are known as transferable skills – skills that work well in various work environments and allow you to settle into a new role more quickly. They often determine how smoothly the career transition goes and how quickly we are able to adapt to new responsibilities. These include:

• openness to learning and new environments,
• communication in foreign languages,
• flexibility and adaptability to change,
• the ability to work in a rapidly changing environment,
• resilience to stress,
• creativity, independence, and initiative.

In many modern organizations, such as Foodcom, these qualities are often more important than experience in a specific industry.

There is no single answer to the question, “How do I change careers?” For some, it will be a quick transition after completing a course; for others, it will be a process of several years spent building a new career path. The most important thing is that the job market is becoming increasingly accepting of change and career mobility. In many cases, it is precisely those who have changed careers who bring a fresh perspective and new skills to companies.

Changing careers is no longer a risky leap into the unknown, but increasingly a well-thought-out career development strategy. The key lies in having a plan, being open to learning, and choosing an environment that supports growth. Changing careers can mark the beginning of a whole new chapter – and as real-life stories show, it often leads much further than one might initially have imagined.