Many people find themselves in unhappy and unfulfilled careers but the idea of moving out never crosses their minds because they see a career transition as a risky venture. To start with, you have to explain to your family and friends why you are suddenly moving on and also the challenges of pursuing a new career.
Career change is risky and sometimes you will get nervous and unsure. It is pointless to stay in a career where you are unhappy so despite the risks involved taking the big step to move out is the best option.
It is normal to be hesitant and unsure at first but with proper preparation and planning the transition will be easier and you will have the necessary boost of confidence. Before changing your career, here are some important tips to consider:
- Prepare for your change by doing part time jobs.
Before you change your career, try out different jobs that you would like to switch to and get an experience of each. This will be important at helping you select the best career for you. These experimental jobs can be done on a part time basis during weekends or at evenings after work. This preparation is important in order to boost your confidence and to ensure that you are ready for your new job without regrets.
- Develop a network in your selected career.
After settling for the career you want to join, develop a network and link with people in the same career field. To start with, create a linked-in profile and link with people in the same career and people who may help you towards growth. There are specific Facebook groups for people in your selected career field where you can join and participate in the discussions. This way your name will be familiar when you finally decide to make the big transition.
- Gain knowledge through a short course.
If you are thinking of becoming a freelancer business person or you are planning to join self-employment it is important to know everything about running a small business, the same rule applies for every career you might choose. You can join a short course and gain the necessary knowledge for your transition. To make it easier you can take online classes or join a local college where you will be equipped with the right knowledge to start off. This will also give you an opportunity to network with other people in your future career.
- Get motivation from people who made it.
There are plenty of speeches and videos of people who changed their careers successfully. These will be very helpful at giving you the right attitude and motivation. You will get an opportunity to learn and get motivation from these people. These videos may become boring but the more you watch and gain experience the more inspired you will get.
- Create a proper plan.
There is nothing as important as setting a plan before you begin your transition. A plan that will guide you on the dos and don’ts of your transition. A set plan will guide you through challenges during the transition and you will know what path to follow in case you are stuck. If you fail to plan you are bound to get stuck because a new career comes with a fair share of challenges and problems that you will have to face.
- Don’t move from one unfulfilled job to another.
Changing a career is important but you want to make sure that you won’t keep changing careers over and over again. Make sure your goals are right and make only one big decision.
- Keep moving even when you get nervous.
At times you might get nervous and wonder whether the decision to change your career was right. The best thing to do is to keep moving and focus on your goals despite the challenges that might come your way.
- Research and stay updated.
If you are venturing on self-employment or a new venture in the market keep doing research to stay updated. Researching your field will help you to stay informed and make you competitive.
- Stay focused on your goals.
Before a career change you have preset goals and these are the guidelines you should follow. Avoid distractions which will make you deviate from your goals.
- Take advice and criticism well from mentors.
In your new career you will have mentors who have been in the career long enough. Accept their advice and take their criticism well to make yourself better.
If you’re considering a career transition, I highly recommend checking out our FREE video series, “How to Find the Perfect Career Fit for Your Personality
Noel Griffith is a webmaster at Careerswiki.com and works as a recruitment consultant and career advisor. He focuses on helping people find their ideal career, and giving ongoing advice in regard to finding a progressive career path to match their skill set. With a strong belief in communication and networking, Noel’s goal is to help connect the right people and forge strong professional relationships.
