Are you considering a career change? These strategies might help you. An article from CAQA Recruitment and Career Calling Jobs

Are you considering a career change? These strategies might help you. An article from CAQA Recruitment and Career Calling Jobs 

Making a career change can be a big decision. If you're not happy in your current position, or if you're looking for something more suitable, a new beginning can be a life-changing experience. But before you make the switch, it's important to do your research and make sure it's the right decision for you. 

Why switch careers?

There are many reasons why you might want to switch careers or industries. The top three concerns that people have, according to research, are:

• Work-life balance
• A higher salary/better benefits
• To challenge yourself

Many common reasons include:

• searching for more fulfilling employment that relates to their values and areas of interest.
• seeking employment that provides a more favourable work-life balance, particularly if they are burnt out from working long hours.
• after taking a sabbatical, realising they are unhappy in their job upon return.
• Realising they may not have done enough research before selecting a course of study or career, and then realising it is not a good fit for their personality or area of interest.
• a desire to work more creatively.
• wanting to be of service to others and improve the world.

Here are some strategies to help you if you're considering changing careers:

Self-assessment

Frist step is to get to know yourself.  Where do your inherent talents lie? What inspires you? Whom do you wish to collaborate with? Which type of workplace culture best suits you? And what kind of employment gives you the most energy? If it's any assistance, note these responses.

Define your goals

Before making a career change, it's important to know what you want to achieve. What are your goals? What kind of job would make you happy? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and find the right career for you.

Do your research

If you're not sure what career you want to pursue, it's important to do your research. Talk to people in different fields, read books and articles, and explore different careers online. The more information you have, the better equipped you'll be to make a decision.

Consider your skills and experience

When making a career change, it's important to consider your skills and experience. What are you good at? What kind of experience do you have? Matching your skills and experience with the right career can help increase your chances of success.

Research career options

If you have a few job alternatives that appeal to you and would be a good fit for you, conduct some study to narrow down your shortlist and identify the one that best fits your needs at this time. To determine how well you suit the various possibilities you're thinking about, return to what you learned through your self-evaluation.

Research roles and responsibilities

Browsing current job postings is a wonderful way to gain an idea of the positions, determine whether they would be of interest to you, and learn what qualities companies are looking for in applicants. Identifying any gaps will be made easier if you can match your present talents to the position.

Speak with others

Contact the people working in an environment of your liking. Connect with people who are working in a role you are interested in. This is a great way to find reliable information instead of depending on online information. LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to find and connect with professionals.

Make a plan

Once you've decided on a new career, it's important to make a plan. How are you going to transition into your new role? What steps do you need to take? Having a plan will help you stay focused and on track.

Be prepared for challenges

Changing careers can be challenging, so it's important to be prepared for bumps in the road. Things may not always go as planned, but don't let that discourage you. Stay positive and keep moving forward.

Save money

You may need to save up before you make move towards a new career. This is especially true if you are returning to full-time study to pick up new qualifications.

You may need to make sacrifices, such as selling your car, finding cheaper living arrangements, moving in with family or making major lifestyle changes.

Utilise your skills

When you change your career, you are not completely starting from scratch. There could be many skills you can utilise, these are referred to as transferable skills.

You may possess more skills than you realise, which can help you transition into your new career.

The hard part is realising these skills and using them to your advantage. It is best to practice talking to the people you have already worked with, your coach or your mentor to help you appreciate the skills you have.

Some common transferable skills:

• Client Management Skills
• Communication Skills
• Relationship Building Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Teamwork Skills

“In many cases, these are the skills employers are looking for as technical skills can be developed on the job”

You must prepare yourself to be ready to learn new technical skills. This may seem like a difficult task to change careers but it is worth putting in the effort.

Making a career change can be a big decision, but it can also be a great opportunity to improve your life. If you're considering making a change, these strategies can help you get started.