Are you ready for a new career?
Career change is not easy. It’s a big decision to make. It can be stressful and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be!
There are many reasons why people seek a job change. The Joblist's Midlife Career Crisis survey reports on the following top five reasons people change careers:
- Better Pay: 47%
- Too Stressful: 39%
- Better Work-Life Balance: 37%
- Wanted a New Challenge: 25%
- No Longer Passionate About Field: 23%
The following 10 tips can help you will help you make a successful career transition and thrive in a new environment.
1) Start early - If possible, start planning your mid-career move as soon as you are ready for the next step in your life. This way, when you do decide on what direction you want to take, you won’t feel like you need to rush into making decisions or taking action. You may even find that some of your ideas come together more easily if you wait until later rather than sooner.
2) Know yourself well - Before embarking on any major decision, know who you really are and how you work best. Do this by asking yourself questions about your strengths and weaknesses, values, interests, skills, personality traits, etc. Once you understand these things better, then you can begin thinking about where you would most enjoy working and living.
3) Be realistic - Don’t get too excited about one idea just because it sounds good. Make sure that whatever job/industry you choose has something important going for it before deciding whether or not it’s right for you. Also, don’t expect to land an ideal position after only applying once. Many companies receive hundreds of applications per opening so they must sift through them all. They also look at many other factors besides qualifications such as experience, location, industry knowledge, etc. So keep looking around until you find something that fits with both you and your family.
4) Think long term - When choosing a new profession, think beyond the short term. What kind of lifestyle does this occupation offer? How much money will I earn over time? Will my income increase or decrease? Is there room for advancement within this field? These are all very important considerations. And remember, no matter which path you choose, you should always strive to improve yourself every day. That means continuing education, learning new skills, getting involved in community activities, volunteering, etc.
5) Take advantage of opportunities - As mentioned above, many employers now prefer candidates who have taken initiative to learn more about their company and its products. In addition, networking events and professional associations often provide great opportunities to meet people from different industries and gain valuable information. Finally, consider joining organisations related to your chosen field. For example, if you plan to become a doctor, join medical societies; if you intend to pursue law enforcement, join the police officers association. By doing so, you will build relationships with professionals in your desired area of expertise.
6) Keep up with technology - Technology is constantly changing and advancing. It seems like every year we hear news stories about another breakthrough in science or engineering. To stay current, read magazines and newspapers regularly, watch television programs featuring experts in various fields, attend conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, etc., and participate in online forums. This way, you will be able to see what kinds of jobs are available today and what types of careers might be coming down the pike next.
7) Know when to say “no” - If you feel overwhelmed by the number of choices out there, take some time off to evaluate your situation. Then make a list of pros and cons regarding each option. From here, decide which ones sound appealing enough to warrant further consideration. Once you narrow things down, start making calls and sending emails to potential employers. Don’t forget to ask questions! You may even want to visit local career fairs where you can talk directly with representatives from several businesses.
8) Be flexible - No two situations are exactly alike. Therefore, try to remain open-minded whenever possible. Consider how certain aspects of your life could change. Perhaps you would rather work part-time than full-time right away. Or maybe you need to relocate temporarily before settling into a permanent position. Whatever it takes, just don’t get too attached to anyone idea because chances are good that at least one thing on your wishlist won’t come true.
9) Stay positive - Remember that nothing ventured, nothing gained. So keep an optimistic outlook and never give up hope for finding something better. Also, realise that not everyone has the same goals as you do. Some people simply enjoy working long hours while others thrive on being busy but having lots of free time. The key is to find a job that fits your personality best.
10) Have fun - Give yourself a pat on the back for getting this far. Now is the chance to explore exciting possibilities and discover new interests. It's time to celebrate this new chapter in your life!
