You need a new job. You’re at the point in your career where something has to change. You’ve been denied promotions and raises, and you feel undervalued and underappreciated. 

The question is how to make a job change without losing your status or income.

You may be feeling stuck because you can’t leave your current job, and you don’t have the time to start a side hustle. Or maybe you’re looking for a change in industries, but you’re worried that you don’t have the right qualifications for the job (which will result in a loss of pay). 

What if I told you that there’s a way you can repurpose your experience to make your next career move?

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Here’s when to consider making a job change

Listen, I get it: it’s difficult to call it quits when you’ve put SO much time and energy into a relationship (work or otherwise). 

Instead of looking at it as time wasted, look back at how much educational value it has brought you. 

Try this exercise:

1. Look back and write down 3 things you learned throughout your career.
2. Write your top 3 skills you now have thanks to your current role.
3. Think about and write down 3 beneficial relationships you’ve acquired.

Nothing is done in vain if you look for the positives. 

That being said, there is definitely a time when enough is enough.

Here’s when to consider making a job change: 

• You’re showing unrelenting signs of burnout. You dread going to work, you’re overwhelmed, or you don’t look forward to going in anymore. 
• You haven’t received a raise in over a year. Indeed recommends asking for a raise every year.
• You’re overqualified. You can get your daily tasks done in just a few hours. 
• You haven’t been promoted. And yet, you’re training new management or employees.
• You have a backup plan. Or money saved for 3-6 months. 

RELATED: Not getting job interviews? This is why.

How To Repurpose Your Experience To Make Your Next Career Move 

Not everyone can just up and quit their job. You might not have money saved or the support others have that allows them to quit their job with 0 backup plan.

While I do believe you’ll have to sacrifice some time to start a new career, there are a few small steps you can take to ensure your next role fits your expectations. 

Here’s how to make a job change without risking time or money.

Step 1: Describe your perfect day

I use this as step one because, like you, I don’t dream of working. But work is a necessity for survival.

If you want to know how to get the job that feels like a fit, start by mapping out what a good day looks like for you.

Do you roll out of bed at 6 a.m. to commute, or do you thrive working nights? Do you crave collaboration or quiet focus time? Write out your perfect day as if it’s already happening, then look for roles that make it possible.

Ask yourself:

• What time do you wake up?
• Are you commuting, or walking ten steps to your home office?
• Do you want eight straight hours of focus, or a flexible schedule with built-in breaks?
• Are you collaborating with a team or working solo?
• What skills are you improving every day?

It might seem silly, but this will help you determine what kind of role would be fulfilling for your work-life balance.

Use this knowledge to research jobs that allow you to live your life the way you want. This might mean becoming an entrepreneur, searching for remote work, or finding a night job over a day job. 

Step 2: Take on more responsibility— for your benefit

I know you want to quit, but the best way you can prove to a new company that you’re ready for a leadership position (and a pay raise) is to have social proof. 

In other words, if you don’t have experience as a leader, create one.

Becoming a mentor helps to create a mutually beneficial relationship. You’re learning how to manage workers while getting a closer look at what questions need answering.

RELATED: 8 Steps To Finding a Job You ACTUALLY Want (& Pays Well)

Step 3: Analyze your skillset

If you want to know how to quit the job you have been at for years without feeling like you’re starting over, then just look at your skills. 

Don’t stop at your job description. A customer service rep might pivot into community management, account coordination, or HR because they already know how to handle people and processes.

A writer isn’t restricted to working as an author. They can also use their way with words to be a:

• Technical writer 
• Blog writer
• Copywriter
• Scriptwriter
• Content writer
• Email writer

A writer also makes an excellent marketer. They use their creativity to come up with engaging social media posts or videos, and they use their research skills to determine what’s trending in the market.

The key is to think outside the box:

1. List your top 5–10 transferable skills.
2. For each skill, brainstorm at least two industries or roles where it applies.
3. Gather proof of those skills—projects, presentations, even personal case studies—to create a mini-portfolio for applications.

This way, you’re not just chasing job titles, you’re showing employers (or clients) how you can solve problems right now, at your current pay grade or higher.

Step 4: Rewrite your resume for the career change

Now that you’ve mapped out your skills, it’s time to repackage them. Employers don’t hire job titles, they hire proof that you can deliver results.

Start by:

• Compiling a list of your most relevant skills.
• Matching each one with a past project, achievement, or measurable result.
• Turning those into bullet points that highlight impact, not just tasks.

For example, instead of writing “Answered customer emails,” write “Resolved 50+ customer support tickets daily, increasing satisfaction scores by 20%.”

Same job, but framed to show value.

If you’re changing fields, consider building a portfolio alongside your resume. This could include:

• Presentations you’ve created
• Campaigns or projects you led
• Case studies or personal projects that demonstrate your expertise

Your resume should position you for the role you want, not the one you’re leaving.

If putting all of this together still feels overwhelming, I cover the step-by-step process inside my signature Masterclass, Upgrade Your Resume.