Career change can feel daunting at the best of times, let alone in a downturn. What better way to get tips than from people who have already changed career. Here are 20 tips from people who have successfully made a career change.
- Use your network to get a warm introduction to the decision maker
- Anything is possible if you desire it enough but it takes planning and realistic expectations
- Make time to do research and understand a new career and sector
- Think about what you really want and if it is to do work you are passionate about or just have another job
- Evaluate your short, medium and long term financial commitments
- Evaluate your current finances for ‘survivability’
- Think about what you would do in a ‘worst case’ situation
- Don’t put yourself in ‘a box’ – open your eyes to new opportunities
- Believe in yourself and stay determined
- Research new career choices so you understand barriers to entry, competition and future career prospects
- Check whether you are likely to face the same challenges and frustrations in your new career as your old career, so ‘jumping from the frying pan into the fire’
- Unless you have money saved up and you can afford to take time off, don’t leave your job with nothing to go to until you have thought everything through
- Be clear if you are running away from or towards something
- Analyse your current position and why you want to leave it
- Know your strengths and weaknesses and what type of environment, work schedule and activities you like to do
- Think about what would make you happy, give you meaning and purpose and make you jump out of bed every day
- Remember that career change is a process
- Keep an open mind to what the future will hold and what unexpected opportunities may present themselves
- Make sure your desire to change your career is not projection of frustration in another area of your life e.g. personal relationship
- If you can, go indirectly to the decision maker and bypass HR who can have a ‘ruling out’ mentality, especially as they are overwhelmed by hundreds of CVs
With a busy job/life, all these things can be a lot to take in/make time for, especially as you are so close to yourself. That is why working with a career coach and strategist can help you to make it happen and give you support and practical advice in a safe setting and objective and confidential way. It is bit like having an event or wedding planner help you. They support you to create a great and positive result.
