While there are no foolproof ways to make a career change, a few steps will help drive positive outcomes.
Just starting out, aiming for the C-suite, changing your career path, or figuring out how to reenter the workforce after a career break? Making a career change can be complex, scary, and frustrating. The job application process can be daunting as there is fierce competition, and taking the leap to start a business can be risky and might not happen overnight. However, a bit of homework, a little confidence in yourself, and a strategy to position your value with a few disciplined steps can lead to something sustainable over time.
But first, it’s difficult to know where you are going if you don’t know where you are. So, set yourself up for success by taking a step back and reflecting on your current situation and where you want to go. Be really honest with yourself and clarify what success looks like for you. Once you have clarified what success looks like, lay out a few objectives to help guide your path forward.
5 Steps to a Successful Career Change
There are no shortcuts to making a successful career change. However, taking a few calculated steps can help you move happily forward into something that will fulfill you. Because we believe in betting on ourselves around these parts, here are a few tips to successfully make a career change or pivot.
Follow Your Passion
Take the time to see what gives you the maximum enthusiasm–what really makes you happy. This could be either your side hustle or pulling from life’s experiences. Do you love to write? Are you great at project management, or are you digitally savvy? Your hobbies might be a guide to discovering your next career or your dream job.
Understand Your Non-Negotiables
Knowing the sacrifices you are willing to make going forward will depend on your long-term goals. Think about what is important to you and your current situation, and then determine what the right opportunity for you will be. Knowing your non-negotiables will help to inform whether you want to work remotely, take a pay cut, or take a lower position to acquire more marketable skills.
Do Some Research
Once you have figured out what makes you happy, do a bit of research to explore potential job or career opportunities. Make a list of companies you would either love to work or partner with, then visit their websites and check them out on social media. Identify the keywords and skills these companies are using to see what the market is looking for. You also want to take inventory of your own skills and abilities to see where you may have a gap.
Network, Network, Network
Networking is the lifeblood of any business or career. Attend networking events and reach out to friends, industry professionals, and recruiters on LinkedIn. One important quote to remember is that “closed mouths don’t get fed.” So let people know you are looking for opportunities because you never know who might be your link to your next career opportunity.
Explore Freelance, Contract, Or Temporary Opportunities
Pursuing your dreams doesn’t always work out the way we would hope — leaving us to tweak, pivot, or make a complete change. Great careers are rarely without hiccups, so do leave yourself open to freelance, contract, and temporary opportunities. In fact, these opportunities can give you current work experience and income, expand your network, and open doors to other opportunities.
Quitting your job for a new one, pursuing a side hustle, or making a complete change can be daunting. But while there are so many unknowns, evaluating the risks paired with careful planning and a bit of belief in self… A career change can be the way forward.
Remember, it’s never a gamble if you Bet On Yourself [pun intended]! Go grab a copy of the book>>
