You're considering a new career path. How do you know if it's the right one? Changing careers can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding, but also risky, stressful, and uncertain. How do you make a smart decision that aligns with your goals, values, and passions? Here are some tips to help you find out if a new career path is right for you.
Before you jump into a new career, take some time to reflect on your current situation. What are the reasons you want to change careers? Are you unhappy, bored, or burned out in your current role? Do you feel like you have reached a plateau or a dead end? Do you want more flexibility, autonomy, or creativity? Or do you simply want to explore a different field or industry that interests you? Be honest with yourself about your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help you identify what you are looking for in a new career and what you are willing to give up or compromise on.
Self-reflection: Consider your current job satisfaction, growth opportunities, and alignment with your values. Motivations: Understand why you want to change careers and what you hope to gain e.g, a friend of mine wanted a career with more social impact, so he transitioned from marketing to non-profit work. Strengths and weaknesses: Evaluate your skills and areas for improvement to determine if the new career aligns with your strengths. Career goals: Set clear goals for your new career path and determine if it will help you achieve them. Realistic expectations: Consider the potential challenges and sacrifices of switching careers, such as starting at a lower salary or retraining.
I've seen many people jump into action and that's where they go wrong: Most times people are chasing, but are chasing wrong goals. So firstly, start with: 1. Self reflection: This means literally thinking and writing your answers to questions like: - What are my personal values? (People often view career and life as separate entities, not realizing that your career is one part of your life). - What are my skills? - What are my strengths? (Something that I am both good at and also enjoy). - How do I feel in my current situation? - Fast forward 2-18 months, where do I see myself? (i.e. your goals) - What's holding me back today, from reaching these goals? - What would it take from me to reach these goals? (coach, mentors, skills)
Think about ways opportunities have come to you before, and how each thing worked out. Some people are best suited exploring through their existing network. Others, like me, tend to find what's right for them by getting out there and exploring - meeting new people, trying new things.
You must first map out your present route in your job before setting out on a new journey. Moving beyond the binary of "happy" and "unhappy," and looking outside your present problems and at the bigger picture. - Do the things you're now responsible for align with your core beliefs? - Does it inspire you on a deep, personal level—the kind that keeps you invested over time? - Learn about the latest fads in self-improvement, including taking a job satisfaction survey or becoming familiar with your personality archetypes. - Think about whether you can develop your skills and grow in your current role. Approach your current situation with mindfulness and a multifaceted perspective to gain valuable insights for guiding your career change.
The grass is not always greener on the other side. Sometimes no job is better than a really bad job. These are probably a couple of the contradictory thoughts that are going through your mind if you are thinking about a career change. Try to step back from your situation and look at it objectively. Reach out to others in the career you are interested in and find out there experiences. Get feedback from friends and family. No one should stay in a toxic job or relationship for that matter. But sometimes our situation isn't as bad as we think, and we can make some changes to make it worth continuing working there. Do your research and then talk to your friends and family. It may give you a better perspective on the right direction.
Once you have a clear idea of why you want to change careers, you can start researching and exploring your options. What are the skills, qualifications, and experience required for the new career? How much demand, competition, and growth potential is there in the market? What are the typical tasks, responsibilities, and challenges involved in the new career? How compatible is the new career with your personality, values, and lifestyle? You can find answers to these questions by reading online articles, blogs, and forums, browsing job boards and career websites, taking online courses or assessments, attending workshops or webinars, or networking with people who work in the field.
A word of advice from someone who has faced similar situations numerous times: Don't wait until you feel completely ready for a certain career path, because no one is ever entirely prepared. Taking action despite uncertainty can lead to growth and unexpected opportunities. However, it's crucial to carefully weigh your options and consider the potential outcomes before making a decision. Remember the English proverb: 'Measure twice, cut once,' which emphasizes the importance of thorough planning before taking action.
There are so many things to consider as you explore your next career path. My best advice is to navigate with an open mind, a skills first or purpose oriented mindset and the life you truly want for yourself. I find that thinking in this context leaves space for a variety of roles/industries and paths vs keeping yourself in a box.
Research different career paths that align with your interests, skills, and values. Look into industries, job roles, and professional fields that intrigue you. Reach out to professionals working in those fields to learn more about their experiences, challenges, and rewards. Consider attending career fairs, informational interviews, or networking events to broaden your understanding of potential career paths.
Once you know what field you want to be in, research all the paths that you can take. Do not limit yourself. There are many ways to apply your passions to develop a successful career. Sometimes, you can even create your own path. Creativity is the key.
After you have narrowed down your options, you need to test your assumptions and validate your interest and fit for the new career. You can do this by gaining some hands-on experience, feedback, and insight into the new career. For example, you can volunteer, intern, or shadow someone who works in the field, take on a side project or a freelance gig, join a professional association or a community group, or enroll in a certification or a degree program. These activities will help you learn more about the new career, develop relevant skills and knowledge, build your portfolio and network, and demonstrate your commitment and passion.
My personal advice is to look for opportunities to change activities at your current job so that you can try yourself in a new role, but have the opportunity to roll back to the previous one.
Instead of relying solely on assumptions or hearsay, seek opportunities to gain firsthand experience in your chosen field. This could involve volunteering, interning, or freelancing in relevant roles. Enrol in courses or workshops to develop new skills or deepen your understanding of specific areas within your chosen career path. By immersing yourself in the field, you can validate your assumptions and make more informed decisions.
One thing I found helpful after being laid off was utilizing all the job-search resources made available to me by my former employer. I got a short-term membership to a human resources consulting company, which helped me find and prepare for 'what's next' in the world of work. Besides help with resume, cover letter, interview technique, and job search techniques, I also was able to take a psychological test called MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). It validated I was a strong match for the career field I chose. It's a good predictor to validate whether you may be satisfied and a good fit for your chosen career path. It also suggests other options you might not have considered, which might also work for you.
Learning as you go is the key to becoming successful. Even though you might have a plan on what you want to do and achieve, have an open mindset to adjust along the way. You will learn and meet new people that might show you a better path. Therefore, it is critical that you have an open mindset, learn, and adjust accordingly, and not stick with your initial plan.
Learn before you leap! Investigate prospective career pathways as much as you can before making a decision. Reach out to people on LinkedIn whose career pathway or organisation you are interested in. People will be more generous with their time and knowledge than you think!
Finally, you need to make a plan to transition from your current career to your new career. This may involve setting realistic and specific goals, creating a timeline and a budget, updating your resume and online profile, applying for jobs or opportunities, preparing for interviews or assessments, negotiating your salary and benefits, and quitting your current job. You also need to anticipate and overcome potential obstacles, such as gaps in your skills or experience, lack of references or connections, financial constraints or risks, or emotional stress or resistance. You can seek support and guidance from mentors, coaches, peers, or family members who can help you stay focused, motivated, and confident.
Changing careers is a big decision that requires careful consideration, research, and planning. By following these tips, you can find out if a new career path is right for you and make a successful and satisfying switch.
Due to circumstances everyone may not have the the time to create a solid transition plan, but if you do have the time/space it is something I highly encourage. In my personal experience I've transitioned with no plan and I've also transitioned with a plan. Having a solid plan will always win out because it helps to prepare you better. It also helps you to be intentional with your moves vs coming from a place of desperation. However, something I have learned from all of my experiences is that it is important to stay ready so you don't have to get ready. At this stage in my life I am always in planning mode and staying ahead of the curve (ie: constantly doing the work to network, keep my portfolio/resume updated, save, etc).
Develop a strategic plan to pursue your chosen career path based on your assessments and explorations. Set short-term and long-term goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Identify the steps you need to take to achieve these goals, such as acquiring additional education or certifications, building a professional network, or gaining relevant work experience. Break down your plan into manageable tasks and timelines to keep yourself accountable.
Beyond skills and interests, consider other factors that can impact your career satisfaction and success. Evaluate the job market demand for your chosen field, salary trends and potential for career advancement. Assess the typical work-life balance in your desired career path and whether it aligns with your priorities and lifestyle preferences. Additionally, consider the cultural fit of potential workplaces and whether they align with your values and work style. Remain open to adjusting your plans and goals based on new information, opportunities, and changing circumstances. Regularly reassess your career trajectory to ensure it continues to align with your evolving interests and aspirations.
Don't forget to assess the job market's conditions and status. Sometimes waiting a few extra months can lead to a quicker and smoother transition to your desired destination.