If you are thinking about changing your career, you aren’t alone. Studies show that more employees than ever all around the world are thinking about switching career paths for a variety of reasons, including a change in goals or values, a need for a more flexible schedule or better hours, or a desire to earn a higher income. Whatever your reasoning may be, the process of making a career change can be stressful. Here are a few simple tips to help you ensure that your switch in careers is a successful one.
- Know What You Like and Dislike About Your Current Position
If you are ready to make a change in your career path, it’s easy to only reflect on the negative parts of your current job that you are ready to change. Although it is important to recognize what areas of your career do not suit you and need changed, it is also important to acknowledge the parts of your current position that you would like to try to keep moving forward with a new job. For example, maybe your current PTO plan works for you, you like the hours you are working, or you like the training and development programs from hsi.com that your current employer uses. Try to bring these items up in interviews or keep them in mind throughout your job search.
- Ask Around
In addition to hunting for jobs on your own, speak with your friends, family, colleagues, and others in your life about what they do for work and whether or not it would be a good fit for you. Obviously you are not capable of doing the same job as everyone else in your life, but speaking to friends and family with similar interests and educational experiences might help you to begin thinking about what other jobs are out there that might interest you. This is also a good way to gauge a true understanding of what working in a particular field is like from someone who actually has experience.
- Invest in Education
Sometimes, changing careers requires a set of skills that you might not already have. Instead of letting this discourage you from applying to particular jobs, use this as an opportunity to seek out further education and upgrade your skills. Investing in your education and your future by taking a class, working towards a certification, or spending a few hours learning a new skill online will set you up for success in the future, and will open up the job opportunities that lie ahead of you.