Today was the last straw. Your boss has taken advantage of your kind nature one time too many. You can’t remember what you loved about this job in the first place, and you can’t think of a single reason (besides the money) to stay.
It’s time to make a few changes to your life. You’re going to polish your resume and start over from the ground up. There are plenty of other employers who will value your skillset.
The question is, what is your skillset? You’re not sure how to change a career when you’re so far along in your current one. However, identifying your strengths is crucial if you want to change paths and get a more fulfilling job.
If you want to change your career, this guide will walk you through the process. Grab your resume, and let’s get started.
1. Think About Your Current Skillset
Believe it or not, you can transfer a lot of your current skills to another career. Some essential competencies, especially for specific positions, are in demand in whichever field you want to pursue. For example, let’s say that you were a manager at a store.
You have a bunch of leadership experience that would help you if you wanted to learn how to start your own business. Your knowledge of leading people and handling projects will come in handy if you want to become a manager. After all, you’d need to take charge of things once you hold a more senior role. Overall, knowing what to do will actually come pretty naturally.
2. Weigh Your Options
Once you know what skills will transfer over, it’s time to figure out what your options are. Go through a job search site and start browsing through. Before you apply for a job, read what other people have to say about working there. For instance, if you want to work for a tech company, you should search for any openings for female executives in IT. Once you find a suitable offer, do some research before submitting your application. This way, you know what to expect if you get hired.
Focus on the comments they make about company culture, benefits, salary, and management styles. If they line up with your goals and interests, you know that you’ve found a great place to work. It’s vital that you assess their company culture and the benefits you will be receiving in them because it can tell whether it’s a place where you can grow as a person and as a professional.
3. Polish Your Networking Skills
Networking is one of the most important aspects of making a career change. Getting to know professionals in the field that you’re about to enter will tell you what to expect. You’ll also learn about industry trends and get on the hiring radar.
If you don’t know how to build your connections, you shouldn’t worry since there are a variety of ways to start networking. You can attend seminars, set up interviews with potential mentors, and reach out to professionals via social media. Additionally, it’ll be easier to adapt to your new work environment if you know people who can help you out. You can also go to career fairs to get to know other people in your industry.
4. Consider Classes
You can apply to a job if you don’t have one or two of the required skills and maybe still get hired. Your chances aren’t going to be great, however. So, if you want to increase your chances of getting the job you like, you may need to invest in your skills or certifications.
You may need to go back to school to pick up a few new tricks, and that’s okay. Taking classes at a community college won’t break your bank too much, and you can do them while you continue working your current job. You may also consider taking courses online if you don’t have much time for school. Some credible institutions offer a variety of programs you can finish at your own pace so you won’t feel stressed out.
5. Start Applying for Jobs
The last step is applying for the jobs that you want. Scan through the job description to look for keywords. Filter various career openings available and pick ones you think fit you best. You can then modify and improve your application based on the qualifications required for the job. If you incorporate some of these words into your resume and cover letter, it will improve your chances.
How to Change a Career When Your Current Job Isn’t Working for You
Are you tired of your current job? Learning how to change a career might help you improve your quality of life, but it will take a lot of hard work.
You may need to go back to school to gain a few new skills, and applying for something new can be nerve-racking, but as long as you follow these tips, you’ll be on the right track. If you’re looking for more ways to be successful with your new career, visit our blog.
