Around 30 or over, it’s quite likely that you are making strides in your career. But it is also likely that you have an itch to change career or hop jobs? Perhaps you’ve grown disillusioned with your workload, been let go, or just find yourself wanting to try something new. Whatever the reason, lots of us are leaving it later and later in life to decide we actually want to do something completely different. It’s a scary time. Leaving your old, comfortable, and safe job, for something new and unknown. If you’re considering taking the plunge, here’s everything you need to know before you do. From resume advice to interview prep and your first day, this guide covers it all…
Is A Change Of Career Right For You?
The first thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not leaving your old job is the right decision to make. Firstly, make sure that you aren’t making a spur of the moment choice. Yes, sometimes these spontaneous decisions do work out, but most of the time it’s best not to risk it. Make sure you won’t regret your decision. You can do this by working out what your motivation is for quitting. A few bad days at work probably isn’t a good enough reason to quit. A lack of passion for your job, enjoyment, remuneration, and interest are all valid reasons to look for something new.
People change career for lots of different reasons. Chief amongst them is that they feel bored or ‘stuck’ in their current roles. People also tend to begin to feel undervalued, paid, or stimulated. Before you do quit your current job, ask yourself if there were any changes or modifications which would make your current job better. It might be worth asking for a raise, more responsibility, or voicing your concerns before you make the decision to leave.
How Do You Choose Which Career Would be The One for You?
Lots of people struggle to know what job to switch to and when planning a career change. When you’ve been doing the same job for years it can seem overwhelming to figure out what’s next. The good thing is if you’re leaving your current job you already have a list of things you don’t want to do. For instance, if you were paid too little, you know to look for careers which pay more. If you were undervalued, perhaps you’ll be looking for a role with more responsibility. If you hated all the paperwork you had to do, that will be a factor in choosing a new role. This is an easy way to start looking for a new career, make a list of all the things you don’t want to do. This will show you what it is that you do want, and enable you to narrow down the career choices.
The next thing you need to ask yourself is what are your skills? What transferable assets and attributes do you have that could slot into another role? Once you’ve identified these, along with your list of wants and dislikes, you’ll be much closer to seeing what new job you want. Perhaps you’ll need to retrain or learn some new skills for your new role. Don’t let this put you off, see it as an opportunity rather than a hindrance…
Unlearn To Learn
The world is evolving fast, to keep up with the changing pace of time, you have to be ready to learn. With some career maneuvers, you may need to train again. This will mean that, potentially, you’ll be starting in a position which is junior to your previous role. This is especially likely if you’re changing the entire industry you work in. Be prepared to do some short courses, voluntary work, or even exams. For some new jobs this may be mandatory, but even if it’s not it will help you to show a keen interest and dedication to your new career path. Changing careers won’t be so daunting if you have the mindset to learn and to adapt.
Resume Matters
Your resume will be one of your most important tools in securing new work. One of the common pitfalls of changing career is not giving enough attention to this aspect of your job search. Think of your resume as your calling card. If you haven’t updated in awhile it will appear dated and lazy. Make sure you bring it up to date. This is where any new skills or voluntary work will come in handy too as you can add this to your resume to show willing and interest. Doing some work experience will also help to bolster your resume. Not just that, but you’ll learn some of the in’s and out’s of the industry you’ll be going into. From the chef shoes you might need, to networking tips from marketing pros, it could just give you the edge in an interview. Be honest in interviews and on your resume. Your lack of experience in a role may be clear. Discuss the reasons you want a career change and be upfront about why you decided to try a new path.
Plan Well. Plan Often.
It’s an exciting and thrilling time. After so long in one role you’re about to start a new one! Just make sure that you have a sensible and practical plan in place. Switching jobs can mean there is a delay in your next paycheck. Perhaps you’ll be starting just after the payroll cut-off point? Or maybe you won’t find a new job straight away. Just be sure to have funds in place to support yourself during this time. Otherwise, you’ll end up settling for anything rather than something better. You’ll also need to work notice at your current job so make sure you let them know in plenty of time.
Avoid Some Of The Career-Change Pitfalls
The worst mistake you can make is to rush your decisions. When you’re changing your career everything should be careful deliberated. From the field you’re going into to your reasons for switching, everything needs to have some serious thought. It may be tempting to jump at the first offer for a new job, or a job with a bigger salary but stick to the list you made previously. Remember what it is that you really want. Earning a lot of money is great but it won’t bring you the career satisfaction that you crave. Instead, stick to jobs which will make you feel valued.
You Might Be 30+ But It’s Your First Day To A New Change…
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