4 Steps to a Successful Career Change

Have you reached the stage where you dread going into work every day because you’re no longer getting job satisfaction? Or perhaps you have recently been made redundant as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the situation, there is never an early enough time to make a career change. However, as you may well know, finding a job – let alone your dream job – can be near enough impossible. It’s not as easy as applying for your ideal position and hoping you’ll be invited for an interview immediately, but by taking small steps in the right direction, you could be on the road to making a successful career change. Here are four steps to consider to help you on your path to a new career:

Get an education

Some fields may require you to have a minimum level of education, so you may need to consider going to university or taking a short course that enables you to become a worthwhile candidate when applying for jobs. It’s worth checking out job advertisements and making a note of what type of education they require of applicants to help you select the most appropriate course. In some cases, this is mandatory, and in others, it may be favored.

Nowadays, degree level courses can be studied from home with a flexible approach, so you don’t have to give up your current responsibilities to attend lectures at certain times. https://www.marianuniversity.edu/ is just one institution that offers these benefits.

Shadow someone

While you may have a dream job in mind, do you have an idea of what it’s like to be in the profession on a day-to-day basis? You may have a vision in mind, but the reality could be extremely different, which is why you should consider shadowing someone in your desired field to gain insight. It could take just a few hours up to a few days to understand whether it is a profession you’d like to pursue, but will also add relevant work experience to your resume, which could enable you to stand out during the job hunt.

Don’t second guess yourself

Lack of confidence is one of the main factors that may be preventing you from pursuing your dream career. If you’re currently in a job you despise, you may have lost confidence to succeed, to the point you now second-guess your abilities. However, the cost to your mental and physical health by staying in a job you loathe will be much higher than taking the leap of faith and venturing into a new career. Studies have shown that unhappiness can lead to extreme stress and illness over a prolonged period.

Ask yourself important questions

When it comes to a career change, you need to ask yourself several questions that are important to you as to what you really want and need within a career. These may include:

• What are my core values?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What are my main goals?
• What obstacles are preventing me from meeting my career goals?