Are you looking to make a career change or transition? You are not alone. An increasing number of people, especially millennials, are moving to new jobs. But this does not mean that a career change is not a difficult process, especially if you are trying to move into an industry where you do not have much, if any, experience.
It happens to the best of us: we define our dream job, choose a related major, advance the network like crazy, and finally we go down the road to that dream job, and work tirelessly … just to fulfill the dream job it wasn’t such a dream after all.
Job regret is real. You may have experienced fleeting pains, or perhaps you are 100% certain that your current job or industry is not a good fit for you. The good news is people can – and they do! Switching career paths every day. Sure, it can be a difficult and intimidating move, but it can lead to ultimate job satisfaction.
Before you start thinking about making a career change or transition, you need to decide if you really need one. You may just need to find a new job; it is not an easy task, but it is definitely simpler than a complete career change.
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Moving to jobs in your 50s can be difficult. The years you devoted to your career have brought you up to your current salary level, and your skills are likely to be tuned to your current occupation. Getting off the linear path can be difficult. However, changing careers now can be very rewarding. Whether you are hoping to move into a more fulfilling career field or need a new career that better matches your life, the tips below will help you get started.
Changing careers is more common than you think. In fact, the average worker would change his profession seven times throughout his life. Whether you have transcended your current role, wish to pursue a latent passion, or simply feel that your interests have changed, there are many reasons to make a career change or transition.
How can I make my career change successful?
It really depends on the type of role you hope to transition into. If you wish to enter a field that requires a formal qualification such as a teacher, doctor or veterinarian, you will need to consider the time and resources to complete your course and become certified. However, if you just need to improve your existing skills or learn a new fine skill, there are now thousands of online courses that you can access from home on your own time.
Study has also become more flexible. The vast majority of course providers offer at least some of their curriculum online in a part-time study mode. Many service providers specialize in catering to students who may work full time or have family commitments.
Changing your career is not an easy task, but following these simple steps will help you to make a career change or transition.
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How to make a career change or transition
· Assess your current job and your skills
You might hate your current job. Maybe you are simply not bothered by the daily work and want something more. You might already like your job position, but don’t like your current company. Whatever the case, be sure to determine the reason for your required professional action before taking any action.
From there, rate your best skills along with your passions. Perhaps you have been drafting press releases or doing custom work on social media for your current company. She may have accomplished as little graphical work as needed outside of other managerial roles. Combine your interests and relative experiences in order to define the desired career direction.
· Consider your options
Before you blindly jump into something new, consider the reason behind your actions – are you dissatisfied with your current job and find the work unsatisfactory? Are the people you work with that makes you want something new? Take some time to reflect on your skills and interests to determine which work will be most enjoyable and beneficial for you. See your likes and dislikes, talents, and your ideal work environment. You can also ask around and talk to other people who have moved from a profession similar to your life.
Some industries tend to have an easier career transition than others, so look for connections you can build between your current job and what you hope to do. There is a fine line between blindly following your dreams and starting completely over again versus pivoting into a slightly related career where you can benefit from a lot of your past experience – consider the pros and cons of starting over or staying close to home.
· Write a career action plan
Now that you have defined your goals, you will need to determine how to reach them. A Career Action Plan will help guide you as you strive to achieve your short and long term goals. The first step to creating your business plan is to list all of your goals. Once you have listed your goals, you should write down the concrete steps you will take to achieve each goal. You will also need to write down any potential barriers preventing you from achieving your goals. Having this information can help you prioritize actions needed to achieve your primary goal – which should be finding a job.
· Practice for your new career
Changing your career may mean that you have to undergo some training, but you may also have transferable skills that you can use in your new career. Before embarking on any training, find out what skills you already have and which skills you need to acquire. Learning new skills can take the form of earning a degree or certification, undertaking an internship, or taking online courses.
· Make the correct connections
Once you are confident in the change you want to make, it is time to start research mode. Using online resources to learn more about your potential career is a great place to start, but nothing beats talking to someone who currently works in the role or field that you want to get to know what everyday life really is like in that job.
Utilize your network to communicate with stakeholders. If this is not possible, you can use LinkedIn or a similar network to communicate. A recent study found that more than half of job seekers use networks as their primary method of searching for work.
