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Once upon a time people stayed in the same job for life. For those of us in a modern workforce this would seem unthinkable and possibly inhumane.
In the dark old days the thought of a new job, let alone a full career change, was not even a consideration.
But in the current economy and job market people career hop constantly. Reasons people change careers include: to increase income, to work their way up the corporate ladder or a desire for greater job satisfaction.
Whatever your reason, study our list of things to consider before making the move. There may be more work and thought required than you imagined, but this may be essential to your success.
1. Do an inventory on your experience
People often consider moving into an industry they have no knowledge of and haven’t worked in before. To catch the eye of recruiters in this instance you must seek to educate yourself on the industry as comprehensively as you can. You must also be able to tell the employers how your skills are transferrable from one industry to another. It may be that you require further training before moving into your industry of choice so be open to going back to study.
2. Identify your strengths
To find what area your employment potential lies in, you need to identify your strengths, what you enjoy, and what you're good at. Getting to know yourself and your strengths will make you more confident and focused in your search for a new role. Career counsellors can also be extremely helpful in working out where your strengths lie and identifying what's required to achieve your goals. If more training is required they can help pinpoint what courses are available.
3. Clarify your need for change
The need for constant change can drive many people to continually seek new roles and careers. But changing career should be considered a monumental life step and not be taken lightly. If there are no compelling reasons to change your job or career then it may be best to remain in your current role. This is tied into your career goals. Set out what you want to accomplish by the move and always look twice before you leap.
4. Doing it for the right reasons
The pay packet offered by a new job can entice some people to make the switch, but don't use this as your sole motivation. Even though the promise of a large pay rise may be tempting it is worth considering the full picture. Most employees report it is quality of life, and not their pay packet that ultimately determines their job satisfaction.
5. Work out what your values are
Your values and motivations in life should be a key consideration. Career satisfaction is often obtained when you are receiving personal satisfaction from your job.. What drives you? Is it doing good and helping others such as healthcare or teaching? Or are you more motivated by recognition and a role that gives a clear career trajectory?
6. Be focused
What you are considering is hard work and won’t be easy. It may be tiring and take some time to get the outcome you want so be resilient. Stay focused about where you use your energy and time. For any major change in your life, perseverance and determination will be required.
7. Build bridges
To pull off a drastic career change a solid network with contacts in many industries is a must. To fulfil a career dream, plan ahead and speak to people in the industry you want to move into before you start applying for jobs. Be adventurous and daring and let contacts know what you need. Real networking is about getting to know people and identifying who may be able to help you along your way. This will also give you the opportunity to get the real story of the industry you are targeting and see if it marries up with your fantasy.
8. Don’t be sucked-in by the flavour of the month
Its's easy to be influenced by the latest industry trends. Jobs in these sectors are plentiful, pay well, and seem glamorous. If you are considering a role in a 'hot industry' also think about how it will fare once the honeymoon is over and whether you will still want to be there. Always consider if there is room for growth in your career of choice as you don’t want to be left at a dead-end.
9. Rid yourself of blocks and insecurities
It is the rare person who does not have a fear or insecurity when it comes to their career. The trick is not to let them stop you from doing what you want to do. If something is stopping you from moving ahead identify it, confront it, and deal with it. Get help if you need to from a professional. Getting rid of the blocks will increase your energy and confidence levels.
10. Starting at the bottom
Changing careers can mean starting from the bottom of the ladder again. Be sure you are prepared to do this for your chosen career path. Consider this may mean losing your status and, at least to begin with, taking a pay cut. Can you afford to do this?
Top three tips:
1. Think about the reasons for the change – is it justified?
2. If it is a new field make sure you do plenty of research on the industry – leave no stone unturned.
3. Consider your quality of life. Sure the new job may pay more, but if that is because your employer expects you to be on call 24/7 it may not be worth it.
