The decision to change a career is one of the most intimidating decisions anyone can make. It isn’t particularly easy to leave everything you once knew and were trained for, to try something new. Nevertheless, gone are the days when one would stay in one job for decades. Millions of people change their careers at some point, with around 57% of Australia’s workforce having switched careers. 19% of these did so in the last year. But how do you get to change careers, you may ask. Here are a few tips how.
Self-Assessment
Self-assessment would be a good place to start if thinking of making a career change. Granted, switching careers presents a whole lot of challenges in both life and career. Many are the times when you’ll be presented with difficult questions, such as your past performance and experience in the new field. Assessing yourself first to see the possibilities and what you can do, and possibly answering these questions yourself, will help you make a more informed decision. Some of the questions to ask yourself include:
- Why do I want to change my career, and what will I achieve from it?
- What sacrifices am I prepared to make it happen?
- What are my weaknesses and strengths?
Seek Advice
Take time to talk to people you know have changed careers before and succeeded. These are the best people to talk to, to know what pitfalls to avoid, and what to try. You might also want to look for people already in the career you wish to join, and talk to them in-depth. Letting them know your intentions will make it possible for them to advise you accordingly and also give you a few tips about how to succeed in the field. You should hire a CV writer if you still have questions to answer.
Talk to Your Boss
Letting the boss know of your intentions to switch careers is always recommended and for a good reason. You’ll need a strong support network when you do. Be open to him/her and let them the reason you wish to make the switch and what direction you want to take. Although most employers will accept and support your decision, some won’t be as understanding. Nonetheless, speaking with him or her alleviates any stress and anxiety involved with switching careers.
Set Clear Goals
Take time to set clear short, medium, and long-term goals. The goals can be as simple as cold-calling companies you’d love to work for, as well as sending applications to 5 different companies/employers. In addition to this, you’ll want to acquire the necessary skills to make you just the right candidate for the job. Seeking training for the same is one of the best ways to go.
Network
Look for people already in the industry, and especially those playing the roles you wish to undertake. Show them your desire to change to their career and ask for their help if possible. These individuals don’t necessarily have to connect you to a company looking for such talent but can also point you in the right direction. Be sure to maintain contact with such individuals to increase your odds of getting an offer.
Volunteer
This is considered one of the best ways to gather experience in a field new to you. You could even start volunteering before quitting your current job to see what the odds are. Volunteering makes it possible to test the waters and also discover potential challenges that come with the new career.
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