Taking a leap of faith and completely changing your career can be an incredibly nerve wracking thing to do. How can you be sure that this change is going to pay off? How will you manage to get out of your comfort zone enough to make the changes needed and just do it? The idea of doing something so scary can easily fill a person with dread, and put them into a sort of paralysis. However, it’s something you simply must do if you think about it often enough. Ignoring that little niggle could leave you in an unhappy job for the foreseeable future!
Here, we’re going to talk about how you can make that change you’ve been dreaming of and launch your new career. Read on and before you know it, you could be working in a new career that satisfies you, rather than in one that drains you:
Why Does Your Current Job Make You Unhappy?
Try to work out, if you don’t know already, why your current job is making you unhappy. If you return to work after a break feeling unmotivated, then it could definitely be time to move on. You should return to work after a holiday or vacation motivated and raring to go, not dreading what’s to come.
However, before you make your mind up, it’s important to work out whether your dissatisfaction is temporary or seasonal. For example, some people suffer with SAD come the colder months, and that can really mess up the way they feel when it comes to other aspects of their life.
However, if you’ve thought about this on and off for a while, it’s unlikely to be a seasonal thing. Make sure you’re moving for the right reasons, by thinking about the options you have with your current employer. It may be worth speaking to them first. If it turns out that your manager can’t help you and that there isn’t anything else for you to do, then you can take moving more seriously.
Going Over Your Options
Working out what you’d like to do instead of what you’re doing now is important. You don’t want to get a brand new job and feel the same way you do now. Learning what you really want in a career means getting to know yourself better. Spend some time figuring out what you like to do, what you’re truly good at, and what you’re interested in so you can figure out where that job satisfaction can come into it. There are many websites out there that can help you by asking you questions and then presenting you with suggestions that can suit your personality.
Make sure you do something small each day towards making a career change too, even if you just spend 10 minutes conversing with somebody involved in the field you’re interested in. Don’t just wait for a free weekend when you think you can spend lots of time on the change. Small consistent action taken daily will be most helpful towards your future! Make sure you think about where you’d like to be at the end of the year. Define what your ideal is, but make sure you stay realistic.
Start Researching
The more you research and learn, the better equipped you are to make a decision about your new position. Write up your own wish list of what you’d like in your new role, and don’t forget to write down what you really don’t want. You can then research different roles, people who work in the field you want to work in, and find ways to get some experience to help you land a job.
With this information, you’ll then be able to create a plan of action. You will easily be able to find the employers and companies that can help you with your career goals, whether that means going into a new field with no experience (it can be done) or going into a hair transplant course to expand your skills. Spend a little time each day researching and make notes.
Remember, you can’t be frightened to ask for help. You can speak to your friends and family, or even find a coach/mentor. By using sites like LinkedIn you may be able to find people who are willing to give you insight on your chosen career and industry. Remember, there are events you can attend too that should help you. Networking is a great way to learn as much as possible and get help at the same time – you should find all of your doubts quashed in no time. If you know somebody who went through a career change themselves, make sure you speak to them too. Getting advice and tips from people who have done this will help you feel confident enough to take the leap.
How To Get A New Career With No Experience?
You can get into a new field with no experience, but you need to be committed. As mentioned previously, research is a must. However, you also need to be willing to start over; starting from the bottom and working your way up can be a great way to get to where you want to be. While you may not need to go back into full time education, it can be a good idea to take some short courses or visit workshops. Volunteering is great too, and will look wonderful on your CV. Getting a taste of the world you’re about to jump into will also give you confirmation that you’re making the right choice for your career.
Focus On A Great CV
When it comes to your CV it’s all about quality, not quantity, as some believe. You may have enough fire in your belly now to find the new career path you’ve been thinking of, but don’t underestimate how important it is to clean up your CV. Your CV should be well edited and your applications should be tailored to the specific role. Don’t let it look like you’ve simply sent out your CV to a mass list. You need to show you’re committed to each application. If this is something you struggle with, there are services online that can help you to get it right.
Your CV should stand out from the rest, in a good way. You want to make sure they keep on reading yours. Sending a cover letter on why you think you would be perfect for the job is a good idea. Remember, depending on the type of job you’re applying for, you can make your CV stand out by creating it online, and showing off some of your skills as you do so, such as graphic design or web development.
Don’t Rush Things
Rejection can be demoralising, but don’t let it put you off. You need to remember that if you don’t get a job, it simply wasn’t the right one for you. Rushing things will only make you feel the pressure, and this isn’t going to help you when you are researching, applying, and going to interviews. It can take months to find and land the right job for you when you’re looking for a career change. Even longer, if you have to train, of course! Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have your new job after a couple of weeks of hunting and applying. If it’s a move you truly believe in, then it’s worth it. Just start slow where you are. See if you can improve your skills at your current position in a way that will help with your new career. Small steps can make the biggest difference!
