How To Change Careers
Have you been building a career in one industry and now thinking that it might not be for you after all? Sometimes changes in your lifestyle or a shift in the industry you work in can make you feel like it’s time for a change. A big change like this can be scary, but it’s not impossible to make a big leap and change careers.
Talk With Someone In The Field
Networking is essential when you’re making a career change. Don’t be shy to talk with people in the field you want to transition to. Ask them about their career paths, what qualifications they needed, and any advice that can help you in your journey. For example, if you’re looking to become a drug crime lawyer, talking with someone already in that field can give you insight into what kind of qualifications are necessary and what your specific focus should be. It also gives you the opportunity to make connections and hopefully even get a foot in the door with an industry partner.
Focus On Transferrable Skills
Your first application to a new career will be hard to put together. Try not to panic about the skills and experience that you don’t have yet, and focus on the ones you do have. There are lots of certification services available for you out there to help you learn the necessary requirements needed to help give you that nudge when applying for a new job in any particular industry. A good example is if you enjoy and are experienced in yoga and want to become a Yoga instructor, you can look for a training course in your area and receive yoga certification portland oregon. This will then give you the further skills and confidence that you need to start a new career in teaching. Whatever you do now, whatever new industry you are looking to enter, and whatever you think you want to transition to, there will be transferrable skills that you can showcase. Skills like leadership, team-work, creativity, collaboration, and motivation are the same in any industry, whether it’s technology or marketing. Comb your application for these transferrable skills and put those front and center.
Consider Retraining
Some industries do require specific qualifications. If you’re interested in something new, like a great career in emergency medicine, then do some research to find out what qualifications you might need. See if there are options for retraining that you can fit around your current job, such as online courses or part-time courses. Other people can also be a great source of information. If, for example, you are looking to learn more about consumer services as a career path, and you know someone already in the industry, ask what qualifications they needed and see if there’s some retraining you can do.
See A Career Coach
If you’re feeling stuck in your current career, a career coach can help you to make a change. They can help you to work out what it is about the career path you’re on that is no longer satisfying you. If you know what isn’t working, you and the coach can then find a career path that will better fulfill you, and the coach can help you to find the tools to make such a big transition.
Take Your Time
You can’t jump into a change as big as a career change without taking some time. If you’re unhappy in your job, being patient can be hard, but try to wait until you’re ready before making any big changes. Spend plenty of time doing your research so you know what career path you would like to move to instead, what skills and qualifications you will need for it, and how you’re going to develop the gaps in your skillset that will need addressing. With a proper plan, you can learn new skills and show yourself to be a candidate a potential employer should take seriously and consider for a role, even if your background is not what they expected. Be prepared to answer difficult questions about why you’re making such a big change, as recruiters and interviewers are sure to be curious about why you’re doing this. Be prepared to have to send out a lot of applications and attend a lot of interviews before someone will give you a chance.
