How can you research and explore new career options with confidence?

To research and explore new career options with confidence, follow these steps: 1. Understand your strengths and interests. 2. Explore careers through online resources and conversations. 3. Identify needed skills and assess your current abilities. 4. Connect with professionals in your desired field. 5. Define clear, achievable career transition goals. 6. Invest in learning to acquire the necessary skills. 7. Seek practical experience through internships or volunteering. 8. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the new career. 9. Prepare confidently for job interviews. 10. Find a supportive mentor for guidance. 11. Be persistent and positive despite setbacks. 12. Continuously adjust your strategy as needed.

Changing careers can be challenging but very rewarding. I know from experience. I have done it five times! First, identify your strengths (CliftonStrengths is good for this). These are your superpowers. Then, figure out your motivating skills. We all have many skills, but not all skills are equal. Discover the ones that you most like to do (the Knowdell Motivated Skill Sort can help). Also, understand your personality-based interests (Holland Occupational Themes can help). Together, this should paint a picture of who you are, what you like to do, and your value in the marketplace.

I suppose It depends on which stage of career you’re in. For new entrants or if you have obtained a brand new qualifications / certification I advise - just join the closest industry that are hiring As you do need that experience And you will only know if you “like” the industry after you immerse yourself in it.

Sometimes you recognize that it is time to change directions and sometimes change is forced on you. The best preparation for any career change is to be curious about what other jobs require the experience and skills you have, no matter whether you're actively looking or not. Connect with people in those jobs and find out how they got there. And, never stop learning! You never know when a newly acquired skill will be a key piece in landing your next job.

In the contemporary landscape, individuals seeking to embark on a career path have an array of resources at their disposal. Career-oriented websites offer a wealth of information, including detailed databases outlining job requirements, essential qualities, and guidance on the steps needed to enter a specific profession. One can opt for professional guidance by engaging the services of a qualified career coach to facilitate a comprehensive exploration of available career options. Online personality tests can help one pinpoint career paths that align with their unique traits and characteristics. Individuals can then conduct further research to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances associated with each available career option.

Experimenting to learn is often a barrier in career exploration because it takes more time and coordination. But the best way to learn about your preferences and the work itself is by doing. I suggest working through a free course or online job simulation. Sites have popped up recently to help people try out job tasks - search "Job Simulations". There's sites for undergrads, grads, and PhDs. These are ways to discover tasks you like and dislike. And can be used to build skills. Experimenting solidifies the types of problems you like to solve, types of info or data you like to work with, and timelines you need to work within. Each experiment is a chance to learn before committing, so even if you try it and hate it - take it as a win!

Family and friends are not always the best support options when you’re navigating career change. They may have a strong sense of who you are at work e.g (lawyer, HR Executive) and it can be difficult for them to envisage you doing something different. That’s partly why research suggests that connecting with ‘weak ties’ can be a lot more effective in a transition.

Almost 50% of my jobs came through connections. So it is crucial to connect with people in events or on Linkedin! Make sure you connect to credible people based on their achievements, etc. You want to make sure you are learning from experts. I used to tell my interns not to rely on their career coaches in schools because they are limited in industry knowledge. So go out there to events, networking sessions, and connect.

It is really critical to trust yourself and not listen to the messages you may be getting from those closest to you. They may think they have your best interest at heart, but they will likely give you advice based on their own beliefs/limiting beliefs/assumption. They may be risk averse and think starting your own business is a bad idea. Know yourself and what makes you tick. Stop making decisions based on what you think you "should" do. Get quiet and think about what it is you would want to do. It is helpful to know your values, strengths and what you've liked or disliked about previous work experiences.