Beginning the process to make a career change is not easy, but it is 100% worth the hard work and effort. Often the hardest part of the process is knowing how to actually get started.
This article will provide you with 5 actionable steps you can take to start your career change journey.
1. MAKE A DECISION
Have you actually made your decision that you finally want to make a career change? Here are some questions that will help you to decide if you are ready:
- How long have you been unhappy in your career?
- On a scale between 1 and 10 how satisfied are you with your career?
- How much of a priority is changing your career?
It is important to be realistic about your current career situation. If now is not the right time to change career, then put a reminder in your diary to check in with yourself again in 6 months time.
2. GET TO KNOW YOURSELF BETTER
A big part of starting the career change process is about getting to know yourself better. This involves really understanding what you want in your next career. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What you are good at?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your skills?
- What are your values?
- What is important to you?
- What do you like about your current job?
- What don’t you like about your current job?
3. BUILD YOUR NETWORK
When you are starting your career change it is important to understand that your network can be really helpful. Spending time having conversations, connecting with new people and building your network can provide an insight into careers that you haven’t even considered yet. When was the last time you reached out to your connections to find out more about what they do? Don’t forget that your connections are everywhere, it is not just about LinkedIn.
4. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Doing the same thing every day and expecting a different result is the definition of crazy. Often people spend hours scrolling through LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster and hoping for new career inspiration to just appear. Unfortunately, it rarely works in this way.
Open a new folder on your computer or buy a new notebook and start writing down your career ideas and thoughts. Speak to different people. Attend events or courses that interest you. Read different books. Upskill yourself. Push yourself to do things that are different and outside your comfort zone.
5. TAKE ACTION
It is important that you stop just thinking about making a career change and get started by taking action.
What is one thing you can do today towards starting the process of making a career change? Here are some examples of actions you can take:
- Update your CV
- Sign up for the event you are interested in
- Reach out to a career coach to help and support you
- Write a message to the person you have been thinking about connecting with
Once you are clear on your action, do it and then ask yourself this question every day.
Will it be easy to make a career change… no. Will it be worth it… ABSOLUTELY!
About the author: Caroline Wellingham is a Career Change Coach. She helps and supports ladies who want to make a career change, even if they have no idea what they want to do. If you want to find out more about working with Caroline, here are the details of the Career Change Coaching Programs she offers>>> Project Career Change
If you want to book in for a free career change coaching session to discuss your current situation, please book in for a call>>> Coaching Call
