Has there ever been a situation in your life where you thought of changing your present career? Or else, have you felt the need to incorporate some other things to your career that you have newly found interest in? People decide to change careers for a variety of reasons. Your goals and values may have changed, you would have found new interests, you would be looking for a better pay or the pandemic would have made you realize the importance of having a work-life balance.
But before you decide to take a step forward, it is very important that you analyze certain factors so that you could be led to a successful career change.
Evaluate your current job satisfaction
Make a note of the things that you like and dislike about the job. You have to be precise about the areas that you’re content with and while you are doing this.You can also take notes on how to improve these things when you get onto your next job.
Assess your interests and skills
Identify and review your interests and preferred activities to get a clear picture of your likes and dislikes in the area of your work. Determine whether your interests and values you uphold align with your current area of work. List down the skills that are used in your current job, while reflecting on your past experiences and qualifications.
Consider alternative careers
Research alternate career options by brainstorming ideas with your friends and networking contacts. If you find it any difficult, you could also approach a career consultant to make the process easier. Volunteer in your areas of interest or take up part-time jobs.
Research
Research as much as you can about the field you are getting into.Make sure you find out your interests align with this area. Identify a few targets and work accordingly. Read books and blogs about the profession to get a clearer picture. Get personal as you can and reach out to industrial professionals. You can also make use of apps such as LinkedIn to connect with experts.
Upgrade your skills
Skills are important since it gives you an advantage over others. Look for various ways to develop your skills so that it could be an advantage for your next step. Attend professional events, workshops and courses to bridge the gap between your educational background in the current field and the new one you’re trying to get into. Consider certification courses since it can boost your reliability while getting hired.
Try freelance works
You can always find freelance work in whatever field you’re getting into. Freelancing means you can take up work from multiple clients and each project means expanding your set of skills. Another advantage of doing freelance work is the flexible work hours it provides. This helps you to work in between your busy schedules so that you can in a way be financially secured.
Be ready with your resume and cover letter but consider getting into it slowly. Drastic changes in career may not always come smoothly. Consider taking up courses that can expand your skill set and get into part-time, freelance work for added advantage. Changing careers may seem unnerving but if you are unhappy, then why settle?