If you’re considering a career change, you’re far from alone. Over the course of the past couple of years, many of us have seen major changes to our daily lives that have made us reconsider things that we did out of habit or routine. Work falls into this category.
As the coronavirus and covid-19 pandemic spread across the world, governments requested that we avoid face to face contact wherever possible.
Many businesses were unable to operate and many people lost work as a result of company collapse, redundancy or a host of other issues. Some countries allowed furlough, giving people time at home and away from work, where many reconsidered their career options and decided something else might suit them better.
Many people found that working from home better suits them and their lifestyle. As a result, they want to pursue a fully remote role now that their workplace is encouraging a return to office.
Whatever your reason for seeking a new career – whether that’s because of circumstances arising from the pandemic or simply because you want a fresh start – there are plenty of ways to achieve your goals.
As you probably know I’m a bestselling author and award winning designer – with about 2 million books and courses sold globally.
I offer a range of online marketing tools in my course: How To Make Profitable Courses – Without The Overwhelm.
Plus I offer Peak Performance Coaching for individuals and corporate teams.
I love helping people to live their most successful and fulfilling lives, so I decided to put together this article with insights and tips for moving forward with a career change.
Here’s some information that will help you to find a new career that works for you.
Before you hand in your notice at your current role, it’s generally best to come up with a plan. This will give you direction in your pursuit of a new role. The majority of people continue working the positions they’re in until they’ve been offered an alternative role that they prefer. Following this example will ensure that you maintain a steady stream of income until you switch to another role that will pay you and allow you to continue paying your bills on time. Patience is a virtue when it comes to switching careers. Continue to perform well in your current role in order to secure a good reference when you switch companies or career paths.
Of course, there are countless considerations to take into account when seeking out a new job. You will have to ask yourself a host of questions to get a good idea of what you’re looking for and to get your job hunt started out in the right direction.
First, you need to consider the type of position you’d like to work in. What kind of role will bring you joy on a day to day basis? Different people are motivated by different things and you may already have a clear idea of the positions you want to move into. Some of you may be looking at careers to fight climate change and do something that will have a major impact on humanity.
But you do need to think this over and ensure you’re choosing a role that will keep you happy while you’re working it. The average person will work eight hours a day, five days a week. This is a lot of time, so it’s best to spend it doing something you enjoy, or at least something you find bearable.
Next, consider the kind of work environment you’d like to work in. Who do you want to be surrounded by? If you enjoy working with other adults, many office jobs and similar roles will prove suitable, collaborative environments. If you like to work with children, there are hosts of child-oriented roles, ranging from teachers to childminders, kids club operators, social workers and more. Want to work with animals? Consider roles such as dog walking, veterinarian, sanctuary work, pet rehoming services and more. If you want to help the elderly, carer roles and roles in care homes or nursing homes are going to prove right for you.
Location can play a huge role in whether you’re happy in your job or not. Some people are happy to commute long distances, while others would rather work closer to home. There’s been a huge rise in remote work since the pandemic, meaning that there are even positions now available working on a fully remote basis. You also need to consider whether you’d be happy to move home for your job. Some niche roles require you to live in specific locations where positions are available. For example, if you plan to be a professor, you may need to relocate closer to universities or colleges with vacancies. If you want to be a marine biologist, you may need to move closer to the sea.
Salary can play a huge role in how suitable a job is for you. What do you want to earn? You need to consider responsibilities and financial commitments you already have when switching careers. If you have few responsibilities, it’s extremely easy to switch to a role that pays considerably less, but that you’ll be happy in and can progress with. If you already have a mortgage, children to support and financial agreements in place, you may find that you need to consider roles that meet your financial needs and allow you to pay your bills.
If you’re completely switching careers, fields or areas of specialism, you may find that you need to retrain to be considered in your desired role. For example, if you’re currently a teacher but want to become a nurse, you’re going to have to completely retrain, engaging with years of education before you will land your first role as a nurse. If you want to get into marketing, you can find yourself needing to take marketing courses. Is this something you’re willing to invest time, money and effort into? Does it align with your lifestyle and responsibilities?
If you’re working in banking but want to switch to a higher-paying position, such as a financial analyst, start by learning about the prerequisites, such as the exams required to enter the finance industry.
The Series 7 exam presents as a major goal. Are you ready to study for the exam? This rigorous licensing examination is a must for individuals aspiring to work in finance and the Series 7 test modules and study guide provide valuable resources to navigate the complexities of the financial world effectively.
Once you know what kind of position you’re looking for, it’s time to start the job hunt. There are various ways to go about this and it’s best to engage with as many methods as possible. First, you should start to browse and monitor jobs boards. Common options tend to include LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Monster and more. Whether you’re looking for logistics jobs, teaching roles, PA positions or anything else, you’ll be able to see plenty of advertised positions. You may also want to register your details with recruitment agencies who can match you to suitable roles.=
If it’s been a while since you last applied for jobs you may need to update your resume or CV. This is a document that gives employers a comprehensive insight into your education, qualifications, experience and skills. It’s a good idea to have a general resume that can be tweaked to apply specifically to individual jobs. There are plenty of free templates online that will help you to create a comprehensive resume that looks good and shows you in your best light. Alternatively, you might like to make use of professional resume writing services.
Make sure to apply to any positions you see that are suitable for you. Usually, this simply entails submitting your resume. You may also be asked to submit a cover letter. This is a short letter that gives you an opportunity to explain why you’re applying for the role and why you’d be suitable for it. Make sure to thoroughly read the job description and look into any company you’re applying to. This will help you to understand what they’re looking for and to appeal to them as best possible, demonstrating that you tick all of their boxes.
If you’re successful in securing a job interview, this is your chance to secure the role. Be prepared to talk about yourself (in a professional manner), your education, qualifications, experience and anything else relevant to why you suit the role. You should also prepare for common questions and be able to provide examples of when you’ve succeeded in previous work or roles. Remember, an interview doesn’t just give the employer or recruiter a chance to determine if you’re right for the role. It also gives you the opportunity to determine whether the company and role are suitable for you too. Be ready to ask questions you may have about the role that may not have already been covered throughout the course of the interview. Also make sure that you are presentable during your interview. Take care to wear something professional and ensure you are well groomed.
We can’t always secure the role that we want. Chances are, there will be competition and you may find that someone else was simply better suited to the role – whether due to experience or attitude. Don’t take rejections to heart. We all experience them. Instead, send a polite reply and indicate that you’d be happy to consider any future roles the company may have available. Then continue your search. You will eventually be offered a position that ticks all of your boxes. It just takes the right timing.
This is a complex process that can feel unstable or overwhelming at times. But stick with it. Even if you experience knockbacks, keep trying. You will eventually secure the position you want. In the end, everything will be worth it and you’ll find yourself in a rewarding role that brings you joy!
I offer a range of online marketing tools in my course: How To Make Profitable Courses – Without The Overwhelm.
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