Are you stuck in a job that is not about you? Do you feel alienated while you work? Are you ready for a career change but unsure about the process? Then you have come to the right place! This article will give you useful insights that might benefit you in the process of getting into a field or a career of your interest.
It is neither too early nor too late to consider changing your career. Below are a few reasons might be a reason for changing your current career path-
You were forced into your current career
Did you just stumble upon your current career? It is possible that you were forced into your current field either because of the lack of adequate resources to follow your passion or because of the need of the time. But now that you consider yourself financially stable and in a better position from what you were in the past you might be considering a career change.
You feel your skills are not being put in the right direction
You feel that your current career is not doing justice to the skills you have and therefore, want to explore other fields that truly put you into work. The shift of career will also help you grow higher professionally in the field of your liking.
The current field is not challenging for you
It is possible that the current career that you are pursuing is not pushing you hard enough and you have reached a plateau in your professional life. This can get boring and frustrating, therefore, considering a change in career is a good option.
Your job has now become a burden
Another fact as to why you want to change your career is that your current field has become more of a burden and you have no time left for your family of yourself. If the career is asking too much from you, then you might consider changing it to be a good option.
Uncertainty
It is possible that the future of your current industry does not look promising and therefore you want to get into something that is more secure and safe.
Better Earnings
Another most practical and common reason why you might be considering a career change is for better income that will not only help you get a better lifestyle but will also help you secure your future.
The Dream Job
You have always ‘had a dream’ and now is the time to live it. You might have spent decades on your current job but there was always something that you have been longing to do be it your interest in wildlife or photography or anything else it is never too late to follow your heart.
So, ask yourself THE important question: “what do I really want to be doing in the next 5 years?” And be realistic with your goals and also about what resources you will need to do in order to get there.
If you have completely assessed your current career and have made up your mind that the field is not for you then below are a few steps that can help you to successfully and smoothly change your career-
Evaluate your finances
The very first thing that you need to consider is your current financial stability and your ability to afford a career change. If you consider yourself financially unstable and are completely dependent on you, earnings in the short run, then considering a career change might not be a good option. Firstly, stabilize your financial needs and then take such a dramatic step.
Know your interests and skills
If you consider yourself financially stable and are ready for a career change, then the next step is to review your skill sets. Go through the any roles, projects or volunteering works that you might have done in the past. This will help you in identifying activities of your liking and freshening up your skills. Update the information in your CV and make it up to date.
Go through a list of alternative careers
Next step involves brainstorming alternative career options that you consider will satisfy your desires. Discuss your career expectations with you friends, family, and contacts. Research about various fields you think you want to get into. Thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of everything you come across as you do not want to just stumble into another career. If there is uncertainty and the plan is not clear, then you should not hesitate from seeking professional help and consider dealing with a career counsellor.
Look for different job options
After you have chosen the new field that you consider suitable for yourself, the next step involves conducting a preliminary comparative evaluation of different jobs within that fields to identify certain targets for in-depth research. You need to consider the salaries, future stability of the firm, your work environment and other related issues while searching a suitable job in the field of your interest.
Get personal
It is really important to personally get involved in your research. You should try reaching out to your friends or other connections in the field, and try getting certain mock interviews. You will get to know about their experiences in the field as well which can give you a head start in the new career.
You can even find new connections through different social media platforms like LinkedIn in order to find people working in the same field as you. Having connections and knowledge about the work experience of others will help you a lot while looking for any job in your new professional field.
Job Shadowing
Before leaving your current job and joining a new one you can possibly consider job shadowing. Here you need shadow professionals in field of your interest to observe their working and work expectations. You can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days job shadowing people who are working as career professionals in the field of your interest. This will give you a clarity and you will easily adjust in the new job.
Give it a try
Before actually joining the job and committing full-time to it, you can just volunteer or work as a freelancer in the field to test your interests. It is beneficial as you will still have your current job and an income before you join a new job only to realise that it is not as fun as you thought it would be. Therefore, trying out different job options before actually leaving your current one can prove to be very helpful.
Upgrade your skills
While seeking for a new job you should simultaneously work on upgrading your skill sets as well. If you feel somewhere that you are lacking behind, then definitely make attempts to improve yourself. Take online classes or seek help from your friends and family that might help you improve. Do not give up you dream job just because you think you are not fit for it. With proper support and learning you can definitely improve and get that job you have always been longing to have.
Join your new job
After through research and thinking you can finally say goodbye to your current job and join the field of your choice. If you have already volunteered or shadowed the professionals, then you will easily adjust in your new role. If you have keen interest and strong zeal to work then in no time you will ace at this job.
Always remember that it is never too late in life and there is always a chance to improve. If you have faith in yourself then changing careers will not be a difficult task for you. Although it is really a very serious and important phase of one’s life, with proper research and the right advice you can smoothly go through the transition.
Conclusion
Changing careers is never easy but working in a field that you feel alienated from is not a good way to go ahead with life. Therefore, it is important to consider that it is never too late in life to follow your heart but at the same time, you need to take care of your finances and securing your future. Never consider changing your careers in haste. Take time thoroughly think about it, talk about it and finally after through brainstorming and research go about it.
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Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.
I am a full-time professional blogger, a digital marketer, and a trainer. I love anything related to the Web, and I try to learn new technologies every day.
All the team management, content creation, and monetization tasks are handled by me. Together with the team at PrepMyCareer, the aim is to provide useful and engaging content to our readers.