How To Switch Careers
Believe it or not, many people tend to be dissatisfied with their careers. There may be several reasons why people stick with their careers for a long period. If you are in a similar situation, it is finally time for you to make a switch. You cannot keep doing something that you have absolutely no interest in. You will burn out soon enough, which is why it is a good idea to make a switch while you still have the energy.
However, all of this is easier said than done. Switching your career can cause ripple effects throughout your life and can even cause you a great deal of stress. With this in mind, it is best to take the right approach when you switch careers. Here is a step-by-step guide that can help you switch your career without turning your world upside down.
Step 1:
Brainstorm – What Makes You Unhappy With Your Current Career?
It is important to think about the things that are making you consider switching careers.
While it is hard to recollect all your thoughts when you brainstorm about the reasons behind the dissatisfaction, a sure way to keep track of things is to jot them down. Writing all the emotions that you feel while you’re on the job will help you reflect back on how your job makes you feel. This can help validate the dissatisfaction you are feeling and you will have some ground to substantiate your unhappiness with your current career.
You need to answer whether the dissatisfaction you are experiencing is because of the nature of the job or because of the office and fellow staff members you are currently working with. The answer to this question will help you decide whether you need to switch your career entirely or you need to look for a new job in the same career.
If it’s the career that you need to change then you can move on to the next step.
Step 2:
Assess – What Skills Do You Have?
Now that you have clearly decided that you need to change your career, let’s move on to discuss just what skills you possess so that you can look for new career options. Brainstorm all the skills you have been using in your current job and all the extra skills you possess that you might not be using at present.
Most of the time we feel dissatisfied in our careers because the skills we have are not being put to practice. In some cases, the dissatisfaction comes from not being able to use your skills. This is why you must look for a job that helps you utilize your skills.
Review all your previous work experiences and see what skills you have been using up till now. Make a list and include both soft and technical skills to narrow down all your career options. While you brainstorm your skills, you can also think about the values and interests you are planning to take forward in your next career. This brainstorming session will help you understand what you are looking for.
Step 3:
Research – What Other Career Options You Have?
Once you have a vague idea of what you are looking for in a new career, you can go on to start your research for your career options. You can do the search online and start by looking up the names of all the careers you want to try. Career paths often intertwine and if you look for one, you might find other options that can be lucrative for you. In-depth research can lead you in the right direction.
There are several career platforms that you can take a look at. LinkedIn and Indeed are two of the most popular career-building platforms that help professionals from all fields connect with each other. If you are unable to make a decision on your own, you can go for career counseling offered by experts. Keeping your qualifications and other merits in consideration, they might be able to help you find the right career.
One thing that some people decide to do when switching careers is to start their own business. This is a great option but requires a lot of time and hard work. If you are willing to dedicate yourself to creating your own business, here is a great place to start.
Step 4:
Reflect – Do You Qualify For These Career Options?
If you have listed a couple of career options that you would like to try out, you need to make sure that you actually qualify for them.
If you find that you are not qualified for a certain career, you can either pursue another career option or you can complete qualification requirements and get the job you want in the first place. You might need to take up a course or enhance your soft skills. To get the career you want meeting the qualification requirements is a must.
You can start completing these requirements while you are still on your previous job so that you are able to earn a living and prepare yourself for a career shift simultaneously.
Step 5:
Design – Come Up With a Game Plan
If you have reached a conclusion as to what career route you want to take then you need to come up with a game plan. This game plan will help you decide how you must approach a career with the surety that you will get the job and will be able to swiftly transition from your current career to the new one.
Your game plan should be actionable so that you can get the definite results you want. Identify what your goal is and what actions are necessary to take if you want to achieve your goals.
For instance, if you are opting for a career shift that asks you to take up a degree then you need to enroll in that degree right away to qualify for the career shift.
Step 6:
Take Charge – Put the Game Plan to Action
This is your final step. In the above-mentioned steps you must have thought about many things but this is the time for you to put all your speculations into action. Take all the steps necessary that are a part of your game plan so that you are able to get the results you desire. Now is not the time to go back on your research but it is time for you to put all that you have gathered into reality.
Conclusion
Being stuck in a career that you don’t care for is a surefire way to misery. This is why it is best for you to switch your careers to doing something you will enjoy. Follow the steps above and you will be able to transition to your new career easily.
