Are you looking for a second career?
Are you contemplating a major career change? You’re not the only one who feels this way. While no official statistics exist on how often people change occupations, the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) estimates that Americans have an average of 12 jobs throughout the course of their lives. At least some of those job transitions will be enough of a shift for the average worker to qualify as a new career.
Career changers pivot for a variety of reasons, including changing interests, altering professional outlooks, and retiring from their previous employment. You’ll need a map if you’re thinking of taking a different route. Here’s how to assess your choices, think about the finest second career choices, and get started.
Where Do I Begin?
Plan to journey toward something rather than just escaping your present circumstances while developing a roadmap to your second job. Make sure you’re on the correct track by following these instructions.
1. Determine your interests
Even if you’re changing professions because you’re no longer enthusiastic about what you do, there’s a good chance you enjoyed something about your previous position. Maybe you liked working in a group (or alone), or the hours were convenient, or you had a connection to the goods or services your company offered. When choosing your new job, keep these beneficial elements in mind.
2. Identify Skills That Can Be Transferred
Transferable talents are hard and soft skills that you’ve learned in one job and can apply to another. Let’s suppose you’re currently employed in retail sales but wish to transition to computer assistance. Your retail customer service abilities are immediately transferable to your new job as an information technology (IT) support specialist.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t currently have all of the skills you’ll need to succeed in your new job. Identify the abilities you should add and begin filling in the gaps throughout the research phase of your career change. Looking at the LinkedIn profiles of individuals with the job title you desire and comparing their credentials to your own is one method to accomplish this. You may be shocked to learn that the difference is less than you anticipated. Don’t think that changing professions will need you to return to school; a few courses or on-the-job training may suffice.
4. Make a financial plan
Because most of us work because we have to, it’s a good idea to calculate the figures and figure out how much money you’ll need before making a major career shift. It’s possible that you’ll have to work your way up—or that your new path may pay as much as or more than your present one. In any case, knowing how much money you need to make will be beneficial.
5. Seek professional advice
You can only do so much on your own. When you hit a snag in your search, don’t be afraid to bring in the pros. Consider contacting your college’s career centre if you’re a recent graduate. Many organisations provide job search and career assistance to graduates even after they have graduated. Alternatively, you might hire a career counsellor, do informative interviews with connections in your desired industry, or join professional groups to broaden your network.
