First Published: 02 October, 2020
Do you ever feel that you're in the wrong industry? You've worked tirelessly to land your dream job, but only to uncover your dream job isn't what you wanted?
The good news? You're not alone - many people do feel that way and have gone on to switch career paths. Yes, it might be frightening to make the leap, but the end result might lead you to your ultimate career path. Are you thinking of making a career change, but have no idea where to start?
Read on for our tips on how to make a career change and increase your chances of achieving your career dream.
Switching careers is not a decision you should take lightly. Before jumping into a new career path, analyse why you would want to move to another field. You should think about the bigger picture and ask yourself these questions: "Why do you want to make a career switch?", "Will a job change make you happier?" and "What are the risks that you'll come across?". Reflecting on your reasons gets to the root of why you're contemplating making a career switch - you'll either discover it's not what you actually want or the path to move forward is even more tempting and what makes the most sense.
Once you've realised that a career change is what you really want, you're ready to start job hunting. As you begin your job search, ensure there's no ambiguity on your end, and you have a clear vision on the type of job you want and why you want it. Without clarity, you might find yourself applying to any jobs in your chosen field or disappointingly ending up back where you started; feeling like you've made a terrible mistake, and looking for yet another change. In targeting your job search, you should be mindful of whether the career path you've selected is suitable for you and obtainable.
Since you've figured out what you want to do, you'll need to update your resume to market yourself. While you may not have the relevant experience in this new field, everyone has transferable skills that they can highlight when making a career change. Take a look at the field you've picked and identified which transferable skills will be the most valuable- ensure they are featured prominently on your resume. Instead of listing down your skills and achievements, quantify them by incorporating numbers and facts to draw attention to your resume; which demonstrates you can accomplish your goals and exceed expectations.
You've put in the work and prepared yourself for making the pivot, but there are certain aspects of your new path that you're unclear of such as "What does success in the new career look like?" and "Does this career change fit in your reality?". To gain a better understanding of how your new job will be like, you should speak to people who have the career you want. Attend networking events in your chosen field and speak to people in the industry about the latest trends, current happenings and companies that are hiring. Spreading your network far and wide affords you the opportunity to articulate your desire to change careers, and informs them you're actively searching and taking steps to make the switch.
Change is terrifying and the fear of failure is what stops many people from ever making a career switch. However, a career change is an excellent occasion to revisit your dreams- finding fulfilment in your work can positively impact your mental and physical health, increase your motivation and overall job satisfaction. A career pivot may take time, but it can also be the most rewarding thing you do in your life and your happiness is worth the effort.
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