When it comes to making a career change there are so many wrong steps that you can make. The good news is that our guide below will help you navigate the journey of your career change as easily and effectively as possible. Read on to find out what they are.
- Do consider whether you truly want a career change
First of all, before going through with a career change, you will need to carefully think about whether it’s what you want. This is because it can be easy to wish we were somewhere else and in a different role or field when things get tough, but what we need is a break, and a chance to recharge.
Unfortunately, those suffering from burnout often see a career change as the answer to their problems without considering the downsides of the new field they are choosing. Indeed, to prevent jumping from the frying pan into the fire it’s a good idea to take a break from your current job, even if it is a week or so, and to thoroughly research the new field you are interested in.
- Do choose a field that matters to you
Next, if you are considering changing your career, then it’s essential that you pick one that is in line with your values, and allows you to enact these each day. For example, if one of your values is sustainability, then choosing a career where working in a green and ethical way is not a priority will leave you feeling jaded, and cynical.
Conversely, if you are an advocate for women’s health, then choosing a career in the field makes sense. This is because by changing to a career in women’s health to become a policy advisor, midwife or sexual health nurse you can help you make a difference in women’s lives every day and live in line with this value. In turn, this means you will not only be helping women, but ensuring that your new career will be rewarding for yourself as well.
- Don’t forget you’ll have to start at the bottom
Starting at the bottom when you begin in any career is the norm, and this means you’ll need to make peace with this along with the pay cut you can expect. Although, when changing careers you may not need to start at the very bottom.
For example, if you go back to school to become a chef, it’s unlikely that your new employers will start you off washing dishes. Instead, they will want to utilize the skills you have for the good of their business. Additionally, some fields offer fast-track programs which means that you can skip over some of the most basic elements of a job and move into a slightly more senior role early on.
- Do consider the cost of additional education and training
Often people changing careers will have to contend with a pay cut, as they will need to start at a much less senior position than they were in in their previous field. However, what many people also forget is that additional training and education usually incur a cost as well. After all, university degrees and even conversion courses aren’t cheap, and you may need to work part-time to complete them, which can also impact your earning ability.
- Don’t forget to nurture a network in your new field
Having a solid network of people in your new field can be incredibly helpful in all manner of ways when you change careers. First of all, by having a decent network you’ll be able to find out about new positions much faster than other people, giving you the inside track to working at the best companies.
Additionally, with a good network, you can secure some high-quality mentoring which will be incredibly useful for you at the beginning of your career. Indeed, in this way, you can learn from your mentors’ experiences and mistakes without having to have direct experience with them in your own career. Saving you plenty of time and stress in the process.
- Don’t undervalue yourself
While it is important to acknowledge that you will likely need to take a pay cut when changing your career, it’s just as important to not undervalue yourself or your experience because you are a career changer.
What this means is that when you do get your first few jobs in your new field, be sure to negotiate a fair salary and benefits. Do not accept under the field norm, just because you are a career changer, as you’ll not only bring additional life experience with you but also a motivation and commitment that not everyone will have.
- Do set yourself goals
Goals are crucial when it comes to career changes, and they can serve several important purposes. The first is that by setting yourself goals you can effectively manage your progress. This will help you make course adjustments as you go and ensure you stay on target within your new field.
Secondly, goals can be incredibly effective in ensuring you stay motivated even in the more challenging parts of your career change journey. This is because you can use the confidence you gained from hitting a previous goal to help propel you towards the next. To achieve maximum effect from this process, try and set small achievable timed goals, as these will be much easier to attain than larger goals and so will help you maintain your momentum and motivation.
- Don’t let others opinions put you off
To paraphrase Ru Paul, if people aren’t paying your bills, pay their opinions no mind. Indeed, this approach can be very helpful when you want to change your career as it’s likely just about everyone you know will have an opinion and want to tell you about it. However, what matters here is what you want to do.
That’s not to say that you won’t want to talk to people crucial in your life such as your partner and immediate family as a career change could impact their lives too. It’s just a matter of limiting the discussion to people who are directly involved and blocking out all the other opinions that will be foisted upon you.