You can have a successful new career by following these steps.
Studies reveal that there is a high possibility that the average person will change careers several times during his or her work life. While this can be attributed to the fact that most people fail to make informed choices regarding their chosen careers, even those who followed the prescribed steps to choosing a career may find themselves in the same situation. So, what should you do when you think that making a career change is the next logical step in your career path? Here are the steps you need to take to increase your chances of success.
Steps to a Successful Career Change
1. Decide if it is what you really want. Making a career change entails significant investment, both in terms of your time and money. Thus, make sure that this is what you really want to do. Understand your reasons for coming up with such an idea. If you are making the move simply because you hate your boss or would like to receive fatter paychecks, you may want to rethink your decision. Remember, you should be passionate about what you are doing if you want to ensure a successful career change.
2. Assess and explore. If you have made up your mind that this is the right thing for you to do, you should evaluate your skills, personality, interests and values using self-administered assessment tools or with the help of professional career counselors. After doing so, you should explore the occupations generated through your career test. Look at the job description, educational requirements, earnings, job outlook, and advancement opportunities of each occupation you are considering. This will further narrow down your list. You should also do informational interviews to gather more in-depth information about your chosen occupations.
3. Write a career plan. After you have picked a new career you want to pursue, you should set some goals and put a career plan in place. Don’t leave your current job without a plan if you want to increase your chances of success.
4. Train for your new career. When changing careers, you may have to update your skills and undergo some training. But don’t rush it. Take things slowly until you are sure that this is really what you want. If you could use these skills in your current job, see if your employer would be willing to pay for your training.
5. Find a mentor. Since this can be one of the most challenging things you may need to do during your work life, you should find a mentor who can help you get through all the difficult situations you may eventually find yourself in. Remember, during these times, you will need all the help you can possibly get.
