Career change
From time to time most people get tired of their jobs, their boss, colleagues, routine tasks or the lack of personal development in their job. If this is the case for you, please read on: We might have some valuable advise for you before you head on to the next job where you might end up as frustrated as in your previous one.
1. Is career change the right solution?
Make sure that a career change is the real solution to your wish for change. Career change is a natural part of most peoples life. Remember that most studies show that the the normal job-seeker will change careers several times during his or her lifetime.
2. Find out what you like and dislike?
A lot of people change careers because they dislike their job, their boss, their company or their daily tasks. Identifying the dislikes is often much easier than identifying what really motivates and gets you off at work.Only by digging into your likes you will be able to formulate a pro-active career plan or list of jobs and companies that might satisfy your needs and likes.
What do you like doing when you’re at work, when you’re at home - in your spare time? What energizes you? What’s your passion? If you’re really unsure - you should consider taking this career test. Spending some time rediscovering yourself is key to to a successful career change.
3. Map possible careers and jobs. Once you’ve discovered your passion, strength & weaknesses, spend some time mapping the types of careers that center around your passions. You might feel a bit unsure or insecure - that OK! You might get some advise on alternative careers and jobs by taking this job-test.
How much research you should do depends on how much of a change you’re panning; for example, changing from a teacher to a coach is very different from switching from a being a caretaker to become a designer.
4. Education and courses. You may find it critical to update your education, skills and broaden your knowledge. This might take some time and effort - have patience in this process! If the skill you need to learn is one you could use in your current job, see if your current employer will be willing to help you get started. Take a course or two to ensure you are on the right course before going all in. If you wish a new degree, make sure to check the accreditation of the school, and get some information about placement successes.
5. Networking.
The real key to changing career and getting a new job is using and extending your network. People in your existing network may be able to give you job ideas and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network. Even if you don’t think you already have a network, you probably do - consider colleagues, friends, and family members. You can also broaden your network through joining professional social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
6. Find a Coach or a Mentor.
Changing job or careers direction is a major life decision that can get overwhelming at times. Try to find a mentor or a coach if you can afford one who can help you through the process. Your mentor may also be able to help you build network and introduce you to new people and companies. A mentor doesn’t have to be a highly placed person, though the more powerful the mentor, the more success you may have in using that power to your advantage.
7. Job-seeking
If it has been a while since you have been searching and applying for a job, it might be time a refresher course. Consider spending some time with one or more of our tutorials or books on writing an application and a resume.
Good luck with your career or job-change.
