Changing your career can be one of the best decisions you’ll make for yourself, but it can also be stressful and nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t do it the right way. This means there’s a right way and a way not to go about it. Going into 2023, here are a few tips to help you if you decide to change your career.
1. Ask Yourself Why You’re Changing Careers
The first thing you should do is determine why you’re making the change. Why do you think it’s a good idea to transition to a new career? Is it for more income, or do you want a fulfilled career? Whatever the reason is, you must be sure about it. This helps you feel better about the move and ensure you’re not making a mistake.
2. Brainstorm For A New Career
You must create a long list of career paths you’re interested in. Ensure you’re open-minded and not making judgments about any career. You should also enjoy this exercise. You can also ask your friends to join in your brainstorming and give you ideas.
3. Research Different Careers
A short list always comes after a long list. Here, you would have trimmed the list down to a few that you believe are good for you. Start researching these careers. Learn the perks and benefits, pros and cons. Look for people in these careers and ask them questions. Seek advice about what it’s like to work in that career. Expand your network through online research and by joining professional organizations. Many different industries are changing and offering better perks, such as visa for nurses in USA.
4. Create New Plans With The Career You Plan To Change To
At this point, you should have decided on the career you’re transitioning into. There should be one that ticks the right boxes for you. By now, you should also know the benefits you’ll get from this career, so you can start to plan your life with this career in mind.
5. Improve Your Mindset
A man is indeed a product of his mindset. You become what you think. Changing your career path should open you up to new possibilities. So, ensure you’re not limiting yourself. Limit doubt and fear in your mind, and be bold. You’ve already made a bold move, so see it through.
6. Pay Attention To Transferrable Skills
Many believe that changing their career path means starting from the bottom of the pack. But this is wrong. You’ve already gained years of experience in your previous career, and you have lots of transferrable skills as well. If you’re a lawyer, you already have transferrable skills such as research, writing, and speaking skills. All of these can come in handy in a different career.
7. Learn New Skills
Some career paths may require skills, education or certifications that you don’t already have. If this is the case, your best bet is to acquire them. This might mean taking online courses, attending seminars and webinars, reading books and listening to podcasts, etc. Do what you can to get the right skills to improve your development.
8. Start A Side Project
One of the best ways to fast-track your progress in a new career is by taking on side projects. Once you have the necessary skills, pick up paid or unpaid projects. You might volunteer with an organization that needs your skill in that position or develop a personal project. The goal is to build your portfolio and make it more attractive to your dream company. Recruiters will have something to gauge your technical level alongside other skills that you’ve learned.
9. Create A Resume For Your New Career
You can’t apply for a new career with a resume from your former career. You need to create something new with the skills (acquired and transferrable), certifications and projects you have for your new career. Thankfully, there are several career change resume writing services that can help you create an exciting resume to highlight your prospects and make you attractive to potential employers. This is how you can seamlessly establish yourself in a new career and industry. The online courses you completed, the side projects, and the acquired skills show the recruiter that you can do a job.
10. Create An Action Plan
The next step is to develop an actionable action plan for yourself. Make sure your plan includes the short-term and long-term goals and specific milestones you intend to achieve in your new career. Consider how long it’ll take for you to move from your current position to where you intend to be. This will help you to remain accountable to yourself.
Conclusion
There’s no time that you can’t change your career. You’re never late. Whenever you decide to change your career, it is the right time. It doesn’t matter that you’re in your 50s or 60s. Be bold! Guess what? You’re not starting from scratch, so don’t let that fear stop you.
