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There are so many different reasons why people change careers. Of course, it’s a completely personal decision and there are a lot of factors involved too. Some of the most common reasons why people choose to change careers include trying to get more pay, or because the career they have right now is too stressful. Some of the benefits of changing your career include being happier and more satisfied. If you want to take that next step, then this guide will help you.
Working long hours, with no satisfaction? Want to start your own business, but not sure you can? Changing careers or setting up your own business isn't easy. Let experienced career coach Sarah O'Flaherty show you how others have made the transition.
Consider the Following
- Self-Assessment: Take time to understand your interests, values, and skills. Reflect on what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at to guide your career transition.
- Industry Research: Explore various fields to find industries that align with your passion and skills. Look for growing sectors with opportunities for advancement.
- Job Market Trends: Analyze the job market for potential roles. Consider the demand for specific positions and the required qualifications for entry.
- Networking: Connect with professionals in your desired field. Attend industry events, join online forums, and reach out to contacts for insights and advice.
- Educational Requirements: Determine if you need additional training or education. Research courses, workshops, or degrees that could make you a more competitive candidate.
- Transferable Skills: Identify skills from your current job that can be transferred to your new career. Highlight these in
your resume and interviews. - Financial Planning: Consider the financial impact of a career change. Plan for possible lower income initially and any
expenses for additional training. - Update
Your Resume : Tailor your resume to your new career path. Focus on relevant experience and skills that would appeal to employers in the industry. - Gain Experience: If possible, gain experience in your new field through volunteering, internships, or part-time work to build your credibility.
- Mental Preparation: Prepare mentally for the change. Acknowledge the challenges ahead and remain positive and resilient through the transition.
Evaluate your Job Satisfaction
It’s important that you keep a journal of your daily reactions. Which aspects of your job do you love? Which ones do you hate? Are you unhappy with the work that you are doing, or do you enjoy the work, but not the people? Little things like this can help you to pinpoint the type of job you are looking for and it can also help you to know if it is time for a change.
Whether you're a seasoned professional in search of a career change or a beginner just entering the working world, you want to make the right choices from the beginning.
Assess your Interests and Values
Review any past successful roles, projects, and volunteer work that you have done. This will help you to identify your preferred skills and activities. It’s also vital that you determine whether your core values and your skills can be addressed through the career you have now. If you do this then you can avoid making a hasty decision and you can also stop yourself from making a huge mistake.
Check out your Job Options
Evaluate various job fields so that you can identify the industries that are most suitable for your needs. You can find a huge amount of information online by simply doing a Google search for a job that interests you. When you do this, you can then get a feel for what industries are out there.
Reach out to More Contacts
Another thing that you need to do is find out as much information as you can about the various job fields that are available so you can reach out to more contacts. If you want to benefit yourself here then it is always a good idea for you to sign up with LinkedIn.
“If you are feeling bored, dreading going into work, looking forward to days off, or going to work is leaving you uninspired and maybe a little resentful, then it may be time to look at a career change.” – Make Sure You Are Really Ready For A Career Change.
Train
If you want to help yourself to get the job you have always wanted, then it’s helpful to train. When you train, you can then give yourself the edge you need. If you want to help yourself, then to become a nurse or doctor for example it may be beneficial for you to sign up for phlebotomy training. Either way, training is a fantastic way for you to push your career forward.
Provides profiles of nearly seventy people who have successfully changed careers in mid-stream, and includes information on finding satisfaction in work and how to plan and execute a new career.
Alternative Roles
If you don’t feel as though you want to change industries completely then why not look for an alternative role in the industry that you work in right now? When you do, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get a great result out of your career change as you already have the experience and you have the knowledge too, so this will work in your favor.
This book will take you through understanding the way you feel now as well as how to improve your current situation immediately so you can create enough space to work on breaking out and doing what you truly love.
