Career change strategies can include pursuing new passions or taking new opportunities within the industry you’re currently in. It’s common for many job seekers to feel they are stuck in their current careers, either due to monotony or a desire to find more meaningful work that energizes them.
When seeking a career change, it’s important to have an action plan in place, especially as the process may take some time. Many people find that they can make a successful career transition when they focus on the steps in their plan, while also giving themselves a chance to rest and recharge along the way.
To begin the career change process, it’s important to first determine why you want to make a shift. For example, some people choose to seek a more fulfilling career because they have been burned by bad bosses or haven’t been challenged enough in their current jobs.
Once you’ve determined the reason you want to change careers, start by evaluating your current skill set and experiences. Take a look at your resume or LinkedIn profile and highlight the skills that transfer to your new career path. Identify any additional skills you need to develop through training or professional development. You may also need to take a course or earn a degree in order to qualify for your desired new role.
Next, research the field in which you would like to change careers. Look for job postings in the industry, and speak with people who are currently working in those fields. If possible, try to schedule informational interviews with three or fewer individuals in the new career field. This will give you real-time information about the ups and downs of the career, from people who are actually in it.
You’ll also want to evaluate the salary range in your new career path. This will help you calculate a budget based on the new job’s likely pay. Ideally, you should adjust your living expenses accordingly to help ease the transition if you are taking a pay cut.
If your career change plan requires you to leave your current employer, consider asking for a promotion or new position within the organization. This is a low-risk way to pursue your new career while still earning a paycheck. You can then use your promotion or new position as a stepping-stone to the career of your dreams.
It’s also important to balance your career change efforts with activities outside of work. It’s easy to get burned out on the process if you don’t give yourself some time to relax and recharge. You can do this by setting some time aside each week to dedicate to your career change goals. For instance, you could commit to one hour of research or networking each day, or by scheduling time each week to meet with people in your new career field. By establishing progressive and achievable goals, you’ll be able to make a successful career change without burning out.