There are various reasons why people choose to change careers but what we do know is that it’s more common than we think. According to a recent poll, around 32% of employees between the ages of 25 to 44 were considering a career change. Around 29% of those polled had changed careers since their first job after college.
At HiCounselor, we often help people who are changing careers, so we know what it takes to be successful at it. Read on to get some tips for people changing careers. If you need help starting off in your new career field, contact us and let our experts get you on the right path!
1. Consider Everything
Changing your career isn’t as shocking a move as it used to be a decade ago but it’s still something that requires consideration. Take stock of your living situation, your finances, your dependents, your obligations, etc. to see if you can afford to start from scratch elsewhere. Also think about what you dislike about your current job. What kind of work would you like to do? The first step is deep contemplation.
2. Assess Yourself
There are various tests you can take to get a better understanding of who you are and how you function. There are aptitude tests, personality tests, career assessments, and more that can help. These tests are geared to help you understand your values, motivations, personality type, suitable career fields, etc. With this information in hand, you can figure out whether you should change your career or not.
3. Evaluate Your Job
Yes, you probably don’t like your job and that’s why you want to change your career. You can possibly enumerate what you don’t like about it quickly. There are, however, some points that might be positive about your current role. Maybe the pay package is good, or the hours, or your qualifications are a right fit. When you switch careers, you’ll be giving up those perks and you should be okay with it.
4. Research Thoroughly
Changing your career is a drastic move and requires some forethought. You might be attracted to a new role but if you jump in without thinking, you might find yourself wanting to change careers again. Consider the pay scale, skill sets, growth potential, location, workload, etc. Read up on industry leaders to understand their views. See if anyone in your social circle belongs to the field and ask them about the role.
5. Understand the Pros and Cons
Many people change their careers without realizing what lies on the road ahead. Many times, you’ll be starting from scratch. That means entry-level work, lower wages, longer hours, etc. You might also need to pick up new skills and qualifications to get ahead. You should be ready for the changes and how they’ll affect your personal life. Otherwise, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the changes.
6. Create an Action Plan
When you’re entering a new territory, it helps to have an action plan in hand. The same goes for people who are changing careers. Think about how you’re going to get started in the field. Do you need to get some skills or certifications to get started? Can you get started and study alongside? Are there good companies in your area or can you work remotely? By when can you expect to get a promotion and raise?
7. Update your Resume
Your resume has probably been tailored for your current role. If your career change is drastic enough, many of your professional accomplishments won’t matter much. Rework your resume to highlight the parts that can be helpful in your new career path. Write a cover letter explaining why you’re switching and showcase your potential. You can read through HiCounselor’s resume guides here.
8. Get Support
Change can be tough on anyone even if that change is by choice. Life can throw unexpected curve balls that you have to deal with the best you can. It’s good to know you have some people on your team cheering you on as you change careers. This isn’t limited to just friends and family. You can team up with career accelerators like HiCounselor who guide you along your new path and root for your success as eagerly as you do.
We hope this guide helps you change your career more easily. If you’d like some assistance in following your new path, get in touch with us at HiCounselor and have a chat with one of our friendly experts. We only take payment once we’ve gotten you a job so you don’t have to stress about making payments while you’re changing careers.
HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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