Many people dream of changing careers but aren’t sure how to do it. Whether you hate your job or dream of more flexible working hours, changing careers is possible with a little soul-searching, proper planning and focused job search. It’s a little scary and risky to change careers; however the benefits of truly enjoying your job are well worth the risk. Follow these 10 steps when you want to change careers but aren’t sure how.
1. Do some soul-searching
Determine what’s motivating your desire to change careers. Have you always wanted to do something else but thought it was too risky or unstable? Has your career only recently started to seem unfulfilled? Start thinking about what you would do if finances weren’t a concern and make a list of things you would like doing. Explore your top skill areas and try to match things you enjoy doing with things you are good at.
2. Decide what’s realistic for you
Be realistic about your financial and family circumstances and decide what’s feasible for you. How much will it cost for you to update your skills and training to get into the profession you want? Can you afford to take off 6 months of work for a training course? It may require some significant life changes but more things are possible if you really know what you want and are willing to make some sacrifices.
3. Take your time
Changing careers is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There is a lot of preparation needed before you can up and quit your current job and expect to find another one in a completely different industry. Once you make the decision that you’d like to change careers, be patient and take the time to make contacts, do your research and get the basic qualifications you’ll need in order to make the switch.
4. Do your research
Unfortunately if you’re a nurse and wake up one day and decide your true calling is to be a lawyer, you won’t get anywhere without first doing some research to figure out what you actually need to pursue that profession. Before you make any definite decisions, conduct extensive research on the field you’re interested in. Talk to any contacts you know in the field or contact professionals in the industry to get more information, review industry websites, related news and learn about the qualifications needed for entry level positions as well as the industry outlook.
5. Be willing to make some sacrifices
Unfortunately when you switch careers, you’ll usually have to make sacrifices in order to do it. You’ll need to start closer to the bottom again and work your way up. This may mean taking a cut in pay, losing seniority privileges or having fewer benefits. In order for you to go back to school or take a training course to help you change careers, you may need to make a lifestyle change or move in with a family member to be able to afford it.
6. Have a plan
When you decide to make a career change it’s important to have a solid plan in place. Depending on what career you’re changing to, you may need to go back to school for further education, enroll in a training program or gain basic experience through part time or voluntary work. You’ll also need to start networking with other industry professionals in order to gain valuable insights and increase your chances of successfully making the transition. Develop a long-term plan that includes setting the ground work for a career change, then updating your skills, knowledge, and experience and networking.
7. Network
If you’re making a career change, networking is even more critical to your success. Talk to your current networks to see if anyone is in the field you want to be in, and start meeting others in the industry. Attend professional networking events and set up informational interviews with people in the industry. Read about industry news and company statistics online and begin speaking the language of the industry.
8. Test the waters
If you want to make a career change but have never actually worked in the career you want to change to, it’s essential that you first test the waters to see if you even enjoy it. Many people find there’s a big difference between doing something you love as a hobby and doing it as a job. Try to volunteer or intern for a few hours each week in the field to make sure that you actually know what you’re getting into, gain some relevant experience and make sure that this is the right path for you.
9. Focus your job search
From the initial planning stages, you should know which type of positions you’re trying to land. This will make it much easier to focus your job search on the positions you to meet the qualifications for.
10. Make the change
Changing careers is a big life decision-one that takes long-term planning and courage to carry out. Having a plan and taking it one step at a time instead of jumping into it can make it more manageable and set you up for success.
The benefits of changing careers and waking up every day wanting to go to work are priceless. Overcoming fears of failure and making the decision to change careers is often the hardest part. With a little hard work and determination you can change careers and get the life you want.
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