Guides
Changing career in the UK
Start with the guide that matches where you are. If you do not know what you want yet, begin with what job is right for me. If you know the job but not the route, read how to change careers.
The guides use ONS pay data for the whole UK, and link each rule to GOV.UK or the body that sets it.
Updated
A useful benchmark before you compare jobs: the median pay for full-time employee jobs in the UK was £39,039 a year in the tax year to April 2025. Half of full-time jobs paid more than that and half paid less.
Source: ONS, Employee earnings in the UK: 2025, published . The 2026 figures are due on 22 October 2026.
Planning the move
- How to change careers in the UKSix steps in order, with ONS pay and the official rules on notice, training time and course funding.
- Changing career with no experienceRoutes built for new entrants, such as apprenticeships and funded courses, and what the jobs pay.
- How to write a CV for a career changeA skills-based structure with example lines you can adapt.
- Skills-based hiring explainedHow the Civil Service and apprenticeship standards assess skills rather than job titles.
- Transferable skills
- Changing career with no money
- Apprenticeships for adults
Deciding what to do next
- What job is right for me?Narrow it down by skills, values, working style and pay, with example jobs and ONS pay.
- I hate my job: what should I do?Work out what is really wrong before you decide, and what to do if it is affecting your health.
- Low-stress jobs in the UK
- Jobs with a good work-life balance
- Jobs for introverts
- Jobs for people with ADHD
- Jobs for women returning to work