We all get to a point in our lives where we wonder if there is more to the careers that we have. Often we can find that we have fallen into a John because we simply didn’t know what we wanted to do when we were studying at school or university. While the career may have been good and given you some life experience in the workplace, in some cases, people suddenly see where their passions lie and also find that they have a calling to do something else. So how do you make it happen?
Changing your career no matter what stage of life you are at can be daunting. So here are some of the steps to help you make it happen for your future.
Think about what it is you want to do
One of the first things that you need to do is to be able to think about what it is you want to do. Changing your career is a big deal, so take the time to really consider what it is you want from your next job. You may have already had an indication as to what you are really good at, or what makes you passionate and focused. There is no harm in considering what your options are at any age, after all, we all spend such a large proportion of our time working, it is best to get something out of it. Either job satisfaction or a better lifestyle because of an increase in income.
Work on your resume to make a decent first impression
The next step to take is to think about your resume. Your resume is your chance to make a decent first impression when it comes to applying for a new job. So you will want to think about how you present yourself on paper. Make sure that all contact details are up to date, and that you include all relevant job experience. If you know the type of career that you want, why not tailor your resume to be towards that new role? Include experience that you have an how that will benefit the new career, as well as ensuring that you sell yourself as best you can. There are some great tips online that will be able to help you create the best resume.
Seek out work opportunities
Once you know what you want to do, and you have your resume all outlined and edited, now is the time to seek out opportunities. There are so many routes to take when it comes to work applications. You can seek the help of an agency, where you can look at allowing them to fund suitable roles for you. You could look online at job websites and search through different listings and apply that way. Last of all, you could seek out companies directly and check their vacancy pages. If they don’t have a role advertised, you could still contact them asking to have your resume kept on file for any future opportunities that may arise.
Learn some new skills
Now that you are actively looking for a new job and career direction, why not take this opportunity to learn some new skills or gain new qualifications? You could go back to school, study in your spare time and get the qualifications you need to make your career change possible. Many degrees will enable you to study at home these days, and it could be the perfect stepping stone to finally being able to be in a job that you love.
Prepare for the interview
Applying for different jobs and making contacts with agencies means only one thing, the next steps is the interview. The interview itself can be stressful, so it might be ideal to try and prepare as much as possible. Research the company and get some facts about the history. Study the job description so that you know what is expected of you and also take time to come up with answers and reasons to some obvious interview questions. Things like expectations or reasons for leaving your current job are often two subjects discussed at interview stage.
Power dress to impress
There is no denying that making a first impression counts for a lot and how you dress for the interview and present yourself is key. It could be the suit you choose to put on, the designer laptop sleeve that accompanies your briefcase or bag, the shoes you wear, or the way you look with your hair or makeup. Think about how you come across and ensure things like personal hygiene are taken care of. It’s the small things that can make the biggest difference when it comes to making the right first impression face to face.
Have confidence in your ability
Confidence is key when it comes to your interview and taking this big step towards changing your career. You may struggle under frustrating and intimidating surroundings, so the best advice would always be to be confident in your abilities. The confidence you have and that comes across, could be the difference between you and the next candidate walking in.
Consider the logistics and the package
All jobs will come with a package, so make sure that once you are aware of it that it suits your needs and requirements. You will also need to take the time to think about the logistics of the job role. Such as whether there is travel involved or how long the commute might be to the office. Again these are the things that could become frustrating to you if you are not happy with it.
Feel happy in your mindset and your decision
Last of all, be confident and happy in your mindset and the decision you are making. The whole point of this exercise was to improve your lifestyle and work and home life balance, so make sure that it ends up being that way.
Let’s hope these steps help you to make the career change of your dreams.
