Do you feel as though you’re stuck in a rut? Does your current job or career leave you feeling bored and striving for a promotion that just isn’t there? If you’ve hit the glass ceiling or you need more of a challenge in your life, then you could join the millions of people every year who decide to take the plunge and make a career change.
It’s a daunting prospect, to say the least. However, if you’re unhappy, you feel you have more to offer and you want more from your 9-5, then it’s something you should certainly think about. To give you some guidance, here we’ll take a look at the career change approach to personal growth, and what you should be considering when looking for a new role.
You may have to completely retrain
If you truly want to start a rewarding career from scratch, then the reality is that you may have to return to school or college and gain the right qualifications. For example, if you believe your ideal vocation is out on the road as a truck driver, transporting goods up and down the country and working to strict guidelines and schedules then you can’t simply get behind the wheel and hit the road.
You’ll need to undertake a strict training regime that not only teaches you how to handle your truck and its rig but also participate in countless hours of safety training to ensure that you and everyone else around you is safe. Falling asleep behind the wheel after a long shift or driving whilst distracted even for a moment, could have devastating consequences for everyone involved – get more info from a local truck accident lawyer in Toronto if you’ve been in an accident involving a truck. It’s important that you adhere to your training and you’re willing to return to your education to implement updated regulations and safe driving techniques throughout your career.
This also applies to those who want to retrain as medical professionals, creative types or even those who want to work in HR or business management. The stronger your foundation, the brighter your new career will be.
Look a little deeper
Opposingly, it also makes sense to look a little deeper and make sure that a complete career change is something you want. Does this sudden impulse to throw yourself into something new stem from a dislike for your colleagues or your current employer? Is it a knee-jerk reaction to something that annoyed you the other day? Asking yourself these questions will highlight where your desire for a career change is really coming from. You may just need to change employers or look for another role within your company.
Which of your skills are transferable?
If you’re unsure of what career you think you want, then take a look at the skills you already have and ask yourself which ones are considered transferable. Are you in sales and know you’re a strong communicator? Or maybe you have management experience? If you’re used to working in a nursery setting, then multitasking and working in a highly pressured environment clearly comes naturally to you. Skills like these are applicable in a variety of different industries.
Related post: 5 Transferable Skills Employers Want and You Should Have
And finally, can you afford it?
Frustratingly, you have to ask yourself this question. If your salary is comfortably funding your current lifestyle, then you may have to reconsider your financial position if you choose to start another career from scratch or go back to education. Figure out what’s best for you and your family. You may be able to continue to work with your current employer whilst you work on your skills and qualifications elsewhere.