Humans are complex creatures. Our life experiences allow change every day, so it’s not unusual to end up in a career that no longer works for you – even if it was once exactly what you wanted. Maybe you’re less driven by money than you used to be, and want your work to make a genuine difference. Perhaps you want to improve your skills so you can learn and challenge yourself more. Or, you might just be tired of the routine and want to do something completely different. Either way, if a change of career is on the cards then here are some of the steps you can take to ensure success.
Create a Plan and Decide What You Want to Do
Often, the biggest step when it comes to these kinds of things is the very first one. Actually deciding that you want to make a change, and then working out what is it you want to do. We can get in a rut with our careers because they provide us with security, a regular wage that we’re used to, a familiar workplace and a workload that we know we can handle. Taking the leap and deciding on something new can be scary.
First thing first, set your goals. Decide what you want to do and where you want to be in say the next year, three years and five years. Chances are you will have to be flexible with your plan, but at least it gives you an idea of where to start and where you’re aiming to be. This prevents you from stagnating in your career and keeps things moving forward.
Improve Your Education
In many cases, if you want to improve or change your career your first step will be first improving your education. This can help you to advance in the career you’re in or will allow you to apply for jobs that would previously have not been available to you if you want to change career. Thankfully, it doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job and returning to full-time education for a few years, as not everyone is in a financial position that will allow that. You can study online in a flexible way around the job you currently do. While it can take longer this way, it does allow you to study while keeping an income.
Once you’re qualified, you can start applying for positions in the new area before quitting your old job. Your education goals depend on your interests, whether that be online psychology, journalism, nursing or online engineering management program. Spend some time researching the career you want to have, and choose a degree that will give you a good chance of achieving this. It, of course, should be something you have a genuine interest in, too.
Do Some Voluntary Work
As well as having the right qualifications, one of the things employers will be looking for in candidates is experience. If you’re changing career to something completely different to areas you’ve currently worked in, then you will be lacking here. If you want to stand out, give yourself an advantage, and get a feel for the type of field you will be working in then your best bet is to do some voluntary work.
If you’re switching to a health-based industry then volunteering in a hospital or with a mental health charity, for example, would be useful. If your future career involves any kind of law enforcement or is linked with criminals then volunteering with the police or court systems could give you some fantastic experience. Even just an hour or two a week will make all the difference, it will teach you new skills and look incredible on your CV. These kinds of voluntary positions can be hard to come by as lots of students and graduates know how beneficial they can be, so apply early and be prepared to travel to another town or city if there are none available where you live.
Go On a Training Course
Training courses are another great way to build your skills and show prospective employers that you’re taking the switch seriously. You usually pay a fee for these kinds of things, but the experience and knowledge you will gain is invaluable. This could be a course specifically for the industry or career you want to get, or it could be something more general like health and safety or networking days.
Work on Your Communication Skills and Presentation
Both verbal and written communication skills are some of the most valuable skills to have in the workplace. Being able to get your message across in the right way will make you an excellent employee, so if you know this is an area where you’re weak then why not do something about it? Not only will it help you in your work life, but in your day to day life as well.
Go on training days involving communication, such as those to improve public speaking or just speech and confidence in general. Try out apps and computer programs and practice these at home. Even just working on your confidence day to day can help, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and socializing more can all be useful. Hit the gym and start eating healthy to improve your appearance as well as boost your mood and state of mind. Speak to the doctor about any skin issues that make you insecure, have your hair cut professionally and invest in some new smart clothes. The way you present yourself is important at interviews, especially if you’re applying for a role that requires you to be in contact with customers or clients. But looking good will also make you feel good and present yourself in the best possible way. It might seem superficial but the way you look is important, you want to make a good impression.