Though you might be currently employed, you could still be seeking other job opportunities on the side. You could feel unfulfilled at your current place of work, you could feel stuck in a dead-end job without advancement opportunities, or you could just be seeking work in another field that better matches your interests. There’s an endless list of reasons why employed individuals start to think about a career change.
However, making a career change can be scary. Jumping into a new industry can be intimidating. And you might not know where to begin your search for your new career.
We’ve got you covered. Check out these tips.
1. Consider Your Likes and Dislikes
The first step to a career change is understanding what job would make you happy. If you dislike your current job, company, or industry, try to figure out what exactly is making you want to take the leap to a new job. Would you rather have a job where you meet new people or where you travel often? Do you dislike your current job because it’s too repetitive or because you’re stuck inside all day?
What are your passions and interests outside of the work? What gets you excited and energizes you?
The key to this assessment is to rediscover yourself so you can better direct your new career search on the right path.
2. Research Different Types of Careers
Now that you have a shortlist of interests and passions, spend time researching what types of careers center around them. Consider which of these jobs allow you to leverage some of your current skills or experiences. You might be surprised to see that you already have a good amount of experience to work in your field of interest.
3. Training and Education
Depending on where you see yourself going with your career change, you might need to also look into training and education. If you’re interested in being a nurse in order to help people, for example, you’ll have to go back to college for that. For other opportunities, you might just need to take a short certification program or just a few targeted classes. Take it slow to ensure you like the subject matter and that you don’t overwhelm yourself and give up.
4. Network
An important part of making a career change is networking. It can be tough to get your foot in the door and having help can make all the difference. People in your network can help give you advice, give you job leads, or connect you with others in the industry who can help you expand your network. Consider getting in touch with family members, friends, and even acquaintances who might be connected to the industry you’re looking to get into. You could also look at your networks on LinkedIn, join professional organizations in the field, and contact your college alumni.
5. Engage a Staffing Firm
Engaging a staffing agency can be one of the best things you do when you’re looking for a career change. Its recruiters will be able to offer you tailored advice and tips on changing jobs, give you industry-specific information, including on-demand skills you’ll need and insights into marketing trends, find you temp work that can give you experience in the field and get your foot in the door, offer training, and go to bat for you with potential employers. A staffing firm can make your dream job a reality.
Even if you don’t have a firm grasp of exactly where you want to be in the future, a staffing agency can help assess your interests, skills, and experience to decide what type of job you could succeed in and love.
Ready to get started on your new career path? Get in touch with Liberty Staffing.
