If you aren’t feeling fulfilled in your job or chosen career and you have the ‘going to work dread’ then maybe a total career change is for you.
The idea of something new is exciting, challenging and going to develop you, but it can also feel daunting. You may have years of experience in your industry, but with no related experience in your new field, just getting an interview can be tough.
Check out our top 5 things to consider to help you make a successful career change:
1 – Start with asking yourself why
You know you aren’t happy in your current role, but ask yourself why. What specifically about it don’t you enjoy. Is it the role? Is it the industry you’re in? Is it the company you work for? By pinpointing the root cause of your dis-satisfaction will help with the next move. Next, consider what’s important to you in your next career move, what is going to excite you and give you what your current role doesn’t.
2 – Re-set your expectations
A career change is an opportunity to repackage existing skills and abilities for use in a new and exciting way. If it’s an area that you have no experience in the level which you enter at may be more junior than your current role and you may have to lead others through a conversation to help them understand why you are making the change. In this conversation it’s important to consider transferrable skills and experience and where you see yourself in the longer term.
3 – Consider your finances
Changing careers can be stressful for many reasons, but financial is often at the top of the list. Before you make a career switch, consider your finances and decide if you can afford to take a role at a more junior level. Yes, it’s potentially putting you on the right career path but how is that going to impact you and those around you financially? Also ask yourself, what will you gain by earning less money.
4 – Do your research
Before you quit your job and risk starting another career that may also leave you unsatisfied, do your research and try it out. This is easily done by looking within your network or talking to people in the industry/role you’d like to progress in. You could consider volunteering in the field that you are interested in, or shadowing someone for a day to find out what the profession is like on a day-to-day basis. This will give you a much better idea of whether or not it’s a good fit for you.
5 – Consider training/qualifications
If there are any relevant qualifications to the industry or role that you’re interested in that could give your application a leg up, or furthermore help give you an insight into the role itself these are worth exploring. It’s also a great networking opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals.
For market advice, salaries and realistic expectations give one of our specialist team of recruiters a call. We love nothing more than a brew and to meet new people and who knows, it could be the first step of your journey! Call us on 0114 3211873 or email your CV in confidence to hello@www.glurecruit.co.uk