You don’t need us to tell you that switching careers is a big life decision. So we’re here to help with these career-changing tips!
Assess Yourself and Your Surroundings
The first step is determining what you like and dislike about your current job. Next, think about the following: What makes you feel productive and satisfied? Do you want to work in an office, or do you prefer to work from home? Also, consider your values, skills, interests, and personality. Ensure you’re actually interested in the new career, or it won’t work.
Weigh Your Options
Now that you have the framework out of the way, it’s time to research options. This can be overwhelming, so we recommend finding some keywords to narrow your search. As you look through your available job opportunities, read what the job entails, the requirements, and what others have said about the job or company. These may sound like no-brainers, but it’s easy to get overly excited about a potential new job before realizing the company may not have a good reputation or that you aren’t as qualified as you think.
Make a Plan
Now that you know what you want to do and some positions you’re interested in, ask yourself what steps you need to take to get where you want to be. Consider attending meetups, connecting with industry experts, taking a course or program, and talking to experts and newcomers in the industry.
Try It Out
Shadowing professionals is one of the most effective ways to determine if you will enjoy a job. If this isn’t an option, look for internship or volunteer opportunities in the field. For instance, if you want to become a writer, consider freelance writing. If you want to work with animals, volunteer at a local animal shelter.
Alt-Roles
If you aren’t unhappy in your current industry but could use a change, consider taking on a new role. This will vary from business to business, but it could include corporate recruiting or management positions.
Reality Check
Evaluate everything we’ve highlighted so far, such as your skills, what new career you’re considering, the steps involved, and your support system to ensure that you have everything in place to make this transition easy and exciting.
Have you successfully switched careers? Share your experience with us in the comments below!