Changing careers? Read this first

There is no rule saying that you must love your first (or second) career. Nowadays, it is very common to see professionals change the entire direction of their careers in pursuit of their passions. If you believe that you deserve more than just a paycheck and want to switch your career, there are a few things that you must do first.

What are the main reasons people change their careers?

There are many things that can motivate someone to change their career. The lack of passion for the current profession is one of the major reasons why people change their careers. Some professionals feel caged in by the limitations of their current job and want to explore a profession that allows more freedom. Oftentimes, compensation is one of the biggest reasons behind a career change. Today, more and more professionals are changing careers in search of better work-life balance.

What are the challenges that come with a career change?

Changing your career in the middle of your life will not be an easy challenge. You will face many hurdles on your mission. Many professionals who have changed careers claim that the biggest obstacle they had to overcome was their self-doubt. It is necessary to commit to yourself before you take a big decision such as a career change. You are likely to make a few mistakes during your journey. After all, you are entering into a whole new industry for the first time. Be prepared to learn from your mistakes. You will also be questioned about your choices by many people. Pushback from peers is very common during a career change. You must find yourself a good support network and soldier on.

How can you change your career?

If you strongly believe that you will benefit from a change in your career, you should go for it, by all means. Here are a few tips that will help you during your transition:

Assess your strengths

Before you make the move, take the time to self-evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Playing to your strengths will help you be more fulfilled in the career of your choice.

Explore your options

Identify all the career options you have that align with your strengths and level of experience. List down all potential career ideas. You can get the help of a life coach to determine the career paths available to you.

Make your choice

Once you have studied all your career options, it will be time for you to make a choice. Before choosing one career path, be sure to meet with people from the target industry and talk about things. Arrange informational interviews and do your research.

Create an action plan

You can’t blindly throw yourself into a career change without having a proper plan. First, map out how you will get to your career target. Identify specific job titles, employers, and career goals that will get you where you want.

Make connections

The best way to establish yourself in a new industry is to start making new connections there. Use LinkedIn for professional networking and expand your network into the new industry.