Holy moly, folx! Can you believe that a whopping 45% of you are itching for a career change in the near future? I'll be honest, I was part of that statistic not all that long ago. There I was, staring at my computer screen, feeling about as good about my job as I do about folding laundry (which is to say, not at all).
But here's the kicker – I took on the meandering journey, and let me tell you, it was the best decision I've ever made! Well, that and investing in a really good coffee maker, but I digress. Whether you're dreaming of more fulfilling work, trying to achieve that elusive work-life balance, or just need a new challenge to keep you from falling asleep at your desk, you're in the right place.
I'm here to share my own roller coaster ride of career change and give you the inside scoop on how to navigate your own professional reinvention. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can! So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's dive into the wild and wonderful world of career change. It's time to dust off those ideas of ‘someday’ and turn them into reality today!
Assessing Your Current Situation and Motivations
Alright, let's get real for a second. Before you start drafting that "I quit" email (trust me, I know you wanna), you need to take a good, hard look at where you're at right now. It's like checking the GPS before embarking on a road trip – you gotta know your starting point!
First things first, are you seeing the signs that it's truly time to jump ship? For me, it was the Sunday night dread that felt more like a full-blown panic attack. Not that my job was stressful. I just friggin’ hated it.
If you're hitting the snooze button more times than you can count or dissociating and daydreaming about literally any other job during meetings, it might be time to consider a change.
Now, let's talk about your core values and career goals. This is the soul-searching part, folks. I remember sitting down with a notebook (and, let's be honest, an extra-large gin and tonic) and really digging deep. And this is where I start all my private clients.
What matters most to you? For me, it was creativity and making a tangible impact. Your list will look totally different, and that's the point.
Next up, it's time for a good old-fashioned self-evaluation. What are you really good at? What do people always come to you for help with? I realized I had a knack for explaining complex ideas in simple terms – a skill I honed while I was a professor.
Lastly, let's analyze your current job satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). Be honest with yourself. On a scale of "I'd rather watch paint dry" to "I've found my life's calling," where do you fall? Identify the aspects of your job that make you want to tear your hair out, but also the parts that you actually enjoy. This info is gold for figuring out your next move.
Remember, this self-assessment phase is crucial. It's like building the foundation of a house – get it right, and everything else will be so much easier. Take your time, be brutally honest with yourself, and get ready to do the work of figuring out what work works for you.
Exploring New Career Opportunities
Okay, now that we've done some serious soul-searching, it's time for the fun part – exploring all those shiny new career possibilities! This is where things start to get really exciting and fun. It's like being a kid in a candy store, except instead of candy, we're talking about potential new careers. (Although, if your ideal job involves candy, more power to you!)
First up, let's talk about researching growing industries and in-demand professions. When I was making my career change, I did not spend hours poring over job market reports and industry forecasts. The reason I didn’t do this is because my top values didn’t include being in an “emerging” or “in-demand” profession.
But you can absolutely act like a detective, aiming to solve the mystery of your future career in an ‘in-demand’ role. Pro tip however: set a timer when you start researching, or you might find yourself falling down an internet rabbit hole and emerging three days later with a sudden desire to become a professional alpaca farmer. Not that I'm against alpaca farming in any way.
Next, we've got informational interviews. These are absolute gold, people! I know it can feel awkward but let me tell you, most people are more than happy to chat about their jobs. I had coffee with a UX designer, lunch with a content strategist, and even had a drink with a full-stack engineer. Each conversation gave me invaluable insights and helped me narrow down my options.
Lastly, don't forget about your transferable skills. These are your secret weapons, folks! I thought my experience in academia was useless for my desired career in recruiting (after I realized tech wasn’t for me). Turns out, those skills were incredibly valuable. So don't discount any of your experiences – you never know what might come in handy.
Remember, exploring new career opportunities should be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Take your time, stay curious, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Your perfect career might be something you haven't even considered yet!
Developing a Career Transition Strategy
Alright, next, it's time to get strategic! Now that you've done your soul-searching and explored your options, it's time to chart your course. Think of this as planning an epic road trip (with lots of pit stops), except instead of navigating highways, you're navigating your career change. Buckle up!
First things first, you need to set some realistic goals and timelines. When I finally decided to transition from operations to creative staffing, I knew it wasn't going to happen overnight. I set myself a goal of making the switch within 18 months. It seemed like forever at the time, but trust me, it flies by! Be ambitious, but also be kind to yourself. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a new career.
Now, let's talk money. I know, I know, it's not the most exciting topic, but trust me, future you will be thanking present you for thinking about this. Creating a financial plan to support your transition is crucial.
I do not believe in the adage “leap and the net will appear.” Leaping without a money net is not a smart move. It’s only guaranteed to add stress and anxiety.
I started by figuring out how much I needed to save to cover a potential period of unemployment or reduced income. You might also want to look into the costs of any education or certifications you might need. Pro tip: look for free or low-cost online courses to get started – your wallet will thank you!
Ideally you have already done this, but if not, building a support network is next on your list, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer. I reached out to old colleagues, joined professional groups on LinkedIn, and even found a mentor in my target industry. Having people to bounce ideas off, ask for advice, and occasionally vent to when things get tough is invaluable. Plus, you never know who might know about that perfect job opportunity!
Lastly, let's address the elephant in the room – obstacles. Look, I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Career changes can be tough. There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and challenges. But here's the thing – if you anticipate these obstacles, you can plan for them. I made a list of potential roadblocks and brainstormed solutions for each one. It was like creating my own personal career change survival guide.
Also be prepared to be brutally honest with yourself about which are genuine obstacles and which are mindset issues that you need to examine.
Remember, developing your career transition strategy is all about setting yourself up for success. It might seem like a lot of work now, but trust me, it's worth it. Future you will be doing a happy dance in their new, fulfilling career!
Acquiring New Skills and Qualifications
Alright, let's roll up our sleeves and dive into the world of skill-building. This is where the rubber meets the road in your career change journey. Think of it as leveling up in a video game, except instead of defeating boss monsters, you're conquering new career challenges!
First up, you need to identify any/all skill gaps that would keep you from being a no-brainer hire in the new role you’ve decided on. Before you decide you need to go to grad shool however, I recommend that you first take the time to audit all the skills you currently have. List everything out in black and white. Even if it’s something so easy for you that you don’t think it’s a valuable skill (pro-tip: those are usually the skills someone will pay you the most for).
After you’ve made a list of the skills you have, make on of all those needed for your ideal job and compared them. The difference? That's your learning to-do list.
Now, let's talk about educational options. We're living in a golden age of learning. Feel free to explore everything from online courses to certifications to degree programs. Did you know you can take Ivy League courses for free online? Mind-blowing, right? You might find that taking a mix of free online courses to get your feet wet before you invest in a more comprehensive certification program is the way to go.
But as you know – book learning isn't everything. Gaining relevant experience is crucial. I had a client who was looking to become a technical writer so they volunteered to help a local non-profit with their technical documentation. Was it glamorous? Nope. Did it give her real-world experience to put on her resume? You bet! Look for opportunities to apply your new skills, even if it's not in a formal job setting.
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of online learning platforms. Sites like Coursera, YouTube, and Udemy can be your best friends during your career transition.
Remember, acquiring new skills is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the process, celebrate small victories, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how we learn, after all! And who knows? You might discover a passion for something you never even considered before.
Crafting Your Personal Brand for a Career Change
Alright, folks, it's time to talk about personal branding. No, I don't mean picking out a snazzy logo for yourself (although if that's your thing, go for it!). I'm talking about how you present yourself to the professional world during your career transition.
First up, let's tackle that resume. When I was making my career switch, I must have rewritten my resume about a dozen times. The key? Highlighting those transferable skills we talked about earlier. I focused on the skills and experiences that were relevant to my new career path, even if they came from a completely different industry. Remember, it's all about telling your career story in a way that makes sense for your new direction.
Now, let's talk LinkedIn. If your profile still says you're a "Marketing Guru" when you're trying to break into data science, we've got some work to do! Spend the time you need to overhaul your LinkedIn profile to align with your new career goals. Pro tip: don't just list your skills and experiences. Use your profile to tell the story of why you're making this career change. People connect with stories, not just bullet points.
Next, you need to develop your career change narrative. This is essentially your "elevator pitch" for why you're making this change and why you'll be awesome at your new career. Practice on anyone who will listen – friends, family, even your cat (it might not be particularly impressed, but don't let that discourage you).
Lastly, let's talk about creating a portfolio. This can be a game-changer for those of you wanted to enter a creative role. Because you’re new to the position, you will need to create samples of work to prove that you know how to do the work since you won’t have an employment history to do that for you. It doesn’t have to be much, but it does have to show potential employers that you are serious about your new career path.
Remember, crafting your personal brand isn't about pretending to be someone you're not. It's about presenting the best, most relevant version of yourself for your new career. It might feel a bit awkward at first but before you know it, you'll be confidently rocking your new professional identity!
Navigating the Job Search Process
Alright, we're in the home stretch now! You've done the soul-searching, acquired new skills, and polished up your personal brand. Now it's time for the main event: the job search. Don't worry, I've got your back!
First things first, let's talk about tailoring your job search strategies. Your number one strategy now and forever should be tapping into your network. I know, I know, the word "networking" probably makes you want to hide under your desk, however your friends, family, ex-coworkers, favorite barista. Yes they’re your network. It’s not just those folx you’re connected to on LinkedIn (although those certainly help too).
While you’re working that network you also want to get creative. Set up Google alerts for job openings, join industry-specific job boards and communities, attend virtual job fairs and networking events. Cast a wide net, don’t worry about making sure it's in “the right pond.” You never know where that next opportunity might come from.
Now, let's tackle the interview process. Preparing for interviews as a career changer can feel like getting ready for a first date – exciting but nerve-wracking! Try practicing answering questions about your career change until you are certain of your narrative. Pro tip: have a few concrete examples ready to show how your past experiences make you a great fit for this new role.
Lastly, let's talk about negotiation. This can be tricky as a career changer, but remember – your skills and experiences have value, even if they're from a different field. I went into negotiations armed with research about industry standards and a clear idea of my worth. And guess what? I ended up with a better offer than I initially expected!
Remember, the job search process is a marathon, not a sprint, especially these days. There might be setbacks and disappointments along the way, but don't let them discourage you. Each application, each interview, is a step closer to your new career. You've got this!
Here's the thing, folks – embarking on a career change is no small feat. It's exhilarating, terrifying, challenging, and incredibly rewarding, often all at the same time. But you know what? You've got this. You've done the work, you've built the skills, and you've crafted your story. You're ready.
Remember, it's never too late to reinvent yourself. Whether you're 25 or 65, the possibility for change and growth is always there. Your past experiences aren't baggage – they're a unique set of tools that will set you apart in your new field.
As you step into this new chapter of your professional life, keep that fire of curiosity burning. Stay open to new opportunities, keep learning, and don't be afraid to pivot if needed. Your career path is just that – yours. It doesn't have to look like anyone else's.
So, are you ready to take the leap and transform your career? The possibilities are endless, and your next chapter is waiting to be written. Go on, take that first step. Future you is cheering you on, and so am I!
Here's to new beginnings and exciting journeys. You've got this!
Click here to download your FREE Career Success Workbook
And if you want more help with your personal Career Pathing plans, the best place to reach me these days is by booking a free consult call.
Yours in get that career change goodness,
EBS
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EB Sanders | Career Coach for Creative Types
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