What do you do if you want to transition to a new career?
Are you feeling stuck, bored, or unfulfilled in your current career? Do you have a passion, a skill, or a goal that you want to pursue in a different field? If so, you are not alone. Many people consider changing careers at some point in their lives, but not everyone knows how to make it happen. In this article, we will share some tips and strategies on how to transition to a new career, based on the principles of training and development.
Before you make any drastic decisions, you need to evaluate your current situation and identify your reasons for wanting a career change. What are you dissatisfied with in your current role? What are you looking for in a new career? How realistic are your expectations and aspirations? How much time, money, and energy are you willing to invest in your transition? These questions will help you clarify your motivation, goals, and challenges, and help you avoid making impulsive or regrettable choices.
-
If you want to transition to a new career, the key is to prepare, prepare, prepare. There is an idiom that says "Success happens when opportunity meets preparation." The first part of preparation is the self-assessment. What service, skill, or product do you have to offer to others? Where is that service, skill, or product needed? Can you meet the need, i.e. are you good at what you want to do? If not, what do you need to do to get better before changing careers? How can you grow where you are? Start with a 5-year plan, then work back from there. What do you need to do this week, month, year to get to your goal? Also, consider who you need to speak with to make sure what you think you want to do is actually what you want to do.
-
Evaluating your current situation and motivations is essential before considering a career change. Reflecting on dissatisfaction, desired outcomes, and investment capacity clarifies expectations and potential challenges. This thoughtful approach minimizes the risk of impulsive decisions and ensures a more informed and successful transition.
Once you have a clear idea of what you want and why, you need to research and explore the possible options that match your interests, skills, and values. You can use online tools, such as career quizzes, assessments, and databases, to discover different occupations and industries that suit your personality and potential. You can also network with people who work in the fields you are interested in, and ask them about their experiences, insights, and advice. You can also take advantage of online or offline courses, workshops, webinars, or podcasts that can help you learn more about your options and develop relevant skills.
-
Establish your 'why' behind the change. Are you unhappy, bored, unchallenged, or is life taking you to a different position. Reach out to a trusted mentor as a sounding board. Use networking resources to see if jobs are available in the new job market. If life is creating the change look at available jobs in the new area and potentially update your skills to show an updated resume tailored to the new specific area.
After you have narrowed down your options and identified one or more careers that you want to pursue, you need to plan your transition strategy. This involves setting realistic and specific goals, identifying the steps and resources you need to achieve them, and creating a timeline and a budget for your career change. You also need to consider how you will balance your current responsibilities and obligations with your transition activities, and how you will cope with the potential risks and uncertainties involved. You may need to update your resume, portfolio, and online presence, or seek professional guidance from a career coach, mentor, or counselor.
-
When planning your transition, also think about your organization and your successor. You may be unhappy where you are, but you want to transition well. Don't leave your organization in a bad place if you can help it. Start organizing your portfolio-- keep spreadsheets and update your databases to ensure that your successor can hit the ground running. If you plan your transition with the well-being of your company/organization in mind, your leaders will appreciate it (whether they thank you or not), and you may be able to maintain key relationships that you may otherwise harm.
-
Ngozi Igbokwe, SHRM-CP(edited)
One of the most important aspects of transitioning to a new career is gaining relevant experience and exposure in your chosen field. This will help you build your confidence, credibility, and network, and increase your chances of landing a job or an opportunity. You can gain experience and exposure by volunteering, interning, freelancing, shadowing, or joining projects or initiatives related to your new career. You can also showcase your skills and achievements by creating a portfolio, a blog, a podcast, or a website that demonstrates your value and potential.
The final step of transitioning to a new career is applying for jobs or opportunities that align with your goals and qualifications. You need to prepare yourself for the application process by tailoring your resume, cover letter, and interview responses to the specific requirements and expectations of your new career. You also need to be flexible and adaptable to the changing demands and challenges of the job market, and be ready to learn from feedback, rejection, and failure. You may need to adjust your goals, plans, or strategies along the way, or explore alternative or complementary paths to your new career.
Transitioning to a new career can be a rewarding and exciting journey, but it also requires a lot of planning, preparation, and perseverance. By following the tips and strategies in this article, you can make your career change more successful and satisfying, and achieve your personal and professional growth.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Personal CoachingWhat do you do if you're struggling to identify and set career goals for the future?
-
TrainingHow can you transition to a new career with confidence?
-
Career Development CoachingWhat do you do if your future career plans are at risk due to unforeseen challenges?
-
Career DevelopmentHere's how you can navigate the common mistakes when changing careers.