Career Change While on a Permanent Contract (CDI): Complete Guide 2025

More and more young employees on permanent contracts are listening to that inner voice and taking the leap into a new adventure.

This is no longer a leap into the unknown, but rather a structured and well-prepared life project. In this guide, we’ll go through the key steps, and more importantly, we’ll tackle the part that often feels intimidating: paperwork and funding. We promise—it’s much simpler than it looks.

How Do You Know if a Career Change Is Right for You?

Before rushing in, it’s essential to take stock of yourself. A career change requires introspection.

A skills assessment is a valuable tool here. It helps you analyze your abilities, motivations, and professional/personal interests to define a career project. Conducted by an accredited organization, it can be financed through your Personal Training Account (CPF).

Ask yourself the right questions:

• What do I enjoy most in my current job?
• Which tasks do I dread?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What am I passionate about outside of work?

💡 Tip: Don’t hesitate to discuss this with friends, mentors, or trusted colleagues. Their feedback can offer fresh perspectives on your skills and aspirations.

Administrative Steps for a Career Change

A career change is not a sprint, but a marathon. It requires a structured, step-by-step approach.

Step 1: Skills Assessment and Reflection Phase

As mentioned earlier, this assessment helps map out your technical and behavioral skills and identify promising sectors. It’s the foundation of your project. You might even consider academic reorientation if returning to studies appeals to you.

Step 2: Exploring and Validating Your Project

Before committing to expensive training, validate your project.

• Workplace Immersion (PMSMP): short-term placements (1 day to 2 weeks) to test a job. Apply through France Travail or a local Mission Locale.
• Volunteering/personal projects: ideal for creative or nonprofit fields to test yourself on real ground.

Example: Sarah, a marketing employee, is curious about UX/UI design. Before paying for costly training, she arranges a one-week immersion in a design agency via LinkedIn. She discovers tools, methods, and the team’s atmosphere, confirming her choice.

Step 3: Choosing Training and Funding

Once you’ve identified your new career path, consider training and financing options:

• Personal Training Account (CPF): rights accumulated in euros to fund certified training.
• Career Transition Project (PTP): allows you to take leave from your job to undergo certified training while maintaining part or all of your salary, subject to eligibility. Managed by Transitions Pro.
• Individual Training Aid (AIF): for jobseekers, complements other funding sources.
• Regional funding: additional local support available.

Example: Marc, an IT project manager, wants to become a baker. He finds a one-year baking diploma covered partly by CPF and contacts Transitions Pro to check if PTP can maintain his salary during training.

Step 4: Resignation for Career Change

If you need to leave your company, this specific mechanism allows you to resign and still receive unemployment benefits, provided your project is deemed “real and serious” by France Travail.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years of CDI experience in the last 60 months.
• Project validated by a regional joint commission (CPIR) via Transitions Pro.
• Support from France Travail.

A carefully written resignation letter is essential, stating clearly your intention to retrain and benefit from this system.

What to Include in a Resignation Letter for Career Change

Your letter must be legally valid and professional:

• Personal details (name, address, contact info).
• Employer’s details.
• Subject line: “Resignation Letter for a Career Change Project”.
• Clear resignation statement with position and end date (respecting notice period).
• Reason: specify that it’s part of a career-change project validated by Transitions Pro.
• A note of thanks.
• Your signature.

Who Can Support You in Your Career Change?

You are not alone! Professionals can guide you:

• Career Development Advisor (CEP): free service through APEC, France Travail, Missions Locales, or regional operators.
• France Travail Advisor: main contact if unemployed.
• Training organizations: often provide guidance on CPF, PTP, etc.
• Transitions Pro Associations: validate PTP applications and support preparation.

Risks of a Career Change and How to Anticipate Them

Risks include:

• Financial uncertainty: possible income drop at first.
• Job dissatisfaction: reality may differ from expectations.
• Failure: project may not succeed or lead to employment.

To minimize risks:

• Take a thorough skills assessment.
• Research growing sectors.
• Test jobs through immersions.
• Build your professional network.