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According to Psychology Today, a staggering 70% of people feel they are in the wrong career. By the time they near their 30th birthday, they have strongly considered changing career direction.
Changing career can be daunting. The fear of the unknown and of financial uncertainty can often be overwhelming. A lack of confidence in our own ability to learn new skills or start from scratch can hold us back.
Take these points into consideration and use them to make a career change plan:
This might seem like an obvious question; however, you might know that you want to work in a particular industry but be uncertain about what role you could do there. Do your research, discover what actually motivates you and study more about these areas to learn more about the industry. To get clarity, approach people in the industry (via Linkedin or via a mutual connection) and ask their advice. Consider, if you can, taking temporary roles or an internship to gain more experience and test the water.
The more realistic your expectations are the easier the transition will be for you. Some jobs may appeal because they seem exciting in comparison with your 9 to 5. Be honest with yourself – is it just a case of the grass being greener?
Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t aim high or shoot for the stars. By all means, do – but again, be realistic about the time it will take to achieve the dream, the skills you might need to develop and the hurdles you will need to overcome.
Your non- negotiables are those seemingly little things like hours of work and location of the office, that sometimes matter the most. Before you make any changes, ask yourself:
• Am I open to flexible working hours? Do I have commitments that dictate my availability?
• What opportunities for career progression do I want?
• Can I take a salary cut or am I looking to earn the same/more?
• Am I willing to travel?
Assess Your Skills
Think of all of your experience and how it can best be presented and used to your advantage. Will the skills and experience that you have be of use in your new career?
Equally, there may be gaps in your skill set that need addressing before you make the move. Look for training courses that will fit around your current commitments. Make sure they are an investment by speaking to a recruiter or HR specialist.
Lastly, stay motivated! Change can take time and the path is not always straight, but with a clear plan and focus it will come around quicker than you expect.
