Although a career shift is a daunting task, there are many reasons one might consider the change. While the stability of our work is critical for income, growing families, unmanageable stress, and evolving goals often motivate us to change things up, professionally. We’ve provided a thorough outline of how to go about seeking a new career or industry, regardless of what’s driving the change.
Understand Your “Why”
Why are you looking to change jobs? Do you need a new culture, a new work/life balance, a new way to spend your working time? Are you interested in exploring a new skillset or sector? Be honest with yourself and figure out what it is you need in this upcoming season.
Skills Assessment
Consider your previous experience and the strengths you bring to a job. Don’t forget about transferrable skills! Your work history isn’t gone, it’s just transitioning into a new application. Think about what you know and how it could apply to a new role. How can you spin your former specialization to fit a new position?
Updated Goals
Reflect on your desire for a new job, and the reasons you’re leaving your old one. Maybe you want more passion or purpose in your days. Perhaps you need new flexibility to fit your growing responsibilities at home. Maybe you have a “dream job” that you’re finally ready to pursue. Whatever the goal is, identify it, understand it, and figure out how to start moving towards it.
Research
In order to prepare yourself for a new industry or role, you need to understand the qualifications, responsibilities, and impacts of the shift. Here are a few ways to expand your horizons:
New Skills & Perspectives
There are countless ways to seek out new skills, including online courses and certifications. You can also seek out practical insight and experience through shadowing, volunteering, freelance projects, or part-time positions. These will offer new exposure and insights, as well as help you to gain practical experience.
Networking
This is a great way to connect with people in your target industry or role. Find people through online communities, events, and professional organizations. The goal in networking is to form meaningful relationships with individuals who want to offer guidance, support, and opportunities. Along with one-to-one relationships, there are also industry-based and peer networking groups.
Mentorship
Finding a mentor can make a huge difference in your career transition. Mentors can offer you coaching, advice, and support in the areas you’re targeting for growth. You can find mentors through your network and past experiences. A mentor can provide invaluable insight and guidance as you learn to navigate this new path.
Optimize Your Resume
Now that you know about the job or industry you’re working toward, you can craft your application materials to best highlight the skills that will make a difference. Be sure to include your transferrable skills (and how they apply to this new role,) as well as any new certifications or experiences you have collected.
Consider a Lateral or Lower Position
When starting something brand new, you may need to take a lower-level job in the beginning. An entry-level job, paid internship, or apprenticeship can help you gain critical experience and show your current level of skill. Be humble and hard-working in these roles, as they will often lead to new opportunities.
A Gradual Transition
There are two proven methods for shifting jobs gradually:
Upgrading Some Components (But Not All)
It can be overwhelming to change everything about your work in one fell swoop. Instead, shift some factors, but not all. You could shift your position inside an existing parent company or move to a new location but keep your same core responsibilities. By keeping your feet on the ground in some regard, you make the transition more manageable.
Bridge Jobs
Bridge jobs are a good option if you need time in your career shift. Whether you need to develop skills and gain experience, or need extra education and training, a bridge job will provide the wages you need to manage life while providing extra bandwidth to take on professional development.
Personality Traits that Will Support You
As we’ve discussed, the process of transitioning your career path can be a challenging one. Here are several characteristics that will support you on the journey:
- Patience – Every job search takes time. Set miniature goals for yourself so you can track real progress, even though the big goal feels far away.
- Persistence – Find ways to stay engaged with your efforts and reward yourself along the path.
- Resilience – Keep yourself focused and committed; develop tools and techniques for bouncing back after disappointments.
- Humility – You may be entering a season of learning. Keep an eye out for opportunities to gain knowledge from others.
- Adaptable – Be flexible and adopt a growth mindset. When learning something new, all progress is good progress. Plan for being a bit uncomfortable and remember we learn and develop through failure!
Even though shifting your career trajectory is a huge undertaking, it can be a worthwhile journey. A new path can offer increased benefits, improved engagement, and better balance. Hold firm to the belief that you are worth the effort. Remember to be thoughtful and patient in your approach, to understand your “why,” and to get connected with people who can offer functional support. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to an exciting and fulfilling career shift.