Komsomolskaya Pravda: Is There a Way to Change Careers?

2026-04-17 11:29

A clear-eyed view of reality can be a serious advantage for those who know how to filter out the noise and act with the business’s interests in mind.

Darya Yeliseeva, head of the recruitment group at Selecty:

«Even if you dream of leaving your current job, your reputation is more important than your emotions. The Russian professional market is small, and rumours spread quickly».

Darya adds that it is not worth chasing a ‘dream job’, because expectations do not always match reality:

«I know an accountant who started managing IT projects because he understood business processes and could meet deadlines. He was not chasing an unrealistic dream when he decided to change careers. It was, on the contrary, a deliberate and carefully planned step».

Darya Yeliseeva recommends not dismissing your past experience as worthless. Even if you move into a different field, you still take your experience with you. Skills such as negotiation, focus, and managing difficult tasks on time are transferable.

Darya Yeliseeva, head of the recruitment group at Selecty:

«I hired a recruiter who had previously spent 10 years selling apartments. Within three months, she became one of the strongest members of the team. Her negotiation skills, mature approach to work and life, combined with the enthusiasm of a newcomer, gave her a quick start».

All professions differ in their barriers to entry. Moving into recruitment is easier than moving into information security, so competition is higher.

Changing careers almost always means a drop in income at the initial stage. If you are earning 200,000 rubles and starting from scratch, you should mentally prepare for a salary of 70,000–100,000 rubles.

Darya Yeliseeva advises that if you are not ready for a drop in income, it is better not to waste your own or other people’s time:

«Before changing careers, I recommend careful preparation. You need to study the profession you want to move into, try out the new role through a hobby or freelance work, and devote enough time to learning».