People spend roughly one-third of their lives at work.
With so much of our time spent
at the office, it's important to enjoy what you're doing. Thus, it's no wonder
so many people are looking to switch careers.
Yet, finding a new career can be
intimidating and overwhelming. It's hard to know what's important and where to
even start.
Don't worry! In this post, we'll go
over some of the things you can do to make sure you become a successful career
changer. Keep reading to learn more.
1.
Figure Out Your Goals and Priorities
Before you do anything else, you
need to take stock of your goals and priorities for your new career and your
life in general. How are you supposed to choose the right career if you don't
know what's important to you?
Consider what your short and
long-term goals are in life and how you want a new career to fit into them.
You'll need to weigh passion vs profit and decide how to balance the two.
Next, decide what your
non-negotiables are for your new career. Do you want to be completely remote,
or in an office? Is there a particular location you want to be in?
These things can help to point you towards the right job.
2.
Network
Networking allows you to meet people
in many different industries to help choose the right one for you. Or, if
you've already chosen an industry, you can meet people in that
niche who can give you guidance. Getting information about a job right
from those who are already doing it can help you understand what that job is
truly like on the day-to-day level.
Finding a mentor to teach you about
a job and what you need to do it well can make all the difference when
switching careers.
Additionally, a significant amount
of jobs these days are found through networking, and applicants that have been
referred are more likely to actually be hired.
3.
Level Up Your Skills
When you change careers, it's very
likely that you'll need some form of additional training or education. You can
also test out different careers by taking free courses.
If you can, take any courses or
training before you leave your current job. Leaving a job without having a
solid plan can be extra stressful and can push you to take a new job that
doesn't fit what you want. You'll have to weigh the specific risks vs rewards
of staying at your current job longer for you.
A great way to learn what skills to
build or courses to take is by asking people in the network you've developed.
4.
Update Your Portfolio, Resume, and LinkedIn
When you're ready to begin applying
and interviewing for jobs it's important that all of your information is
current. Ideally, you should constantly update your LinkedIn profile,
resume, or portfolio, but we know that doesn't always happen.
Be sure to tailor them to showcase
your skills and experience that are relevant to the industry you're applying
in. LinkedIn is a particularly powerful tool, so consider these LinkedIn hacks
to help you out.
You
Can Be a Successful Career Changer
Being a job seeker can be scary, but
you can make a change and find a more fulfilling career! Use these strategies
when trying to change careers and you will be on your way to being a successful
career changer.
For more like this, check out the
other articles in our business section.
