You want to make a career change. How can you improve your skills to land your dream job?

1 Assess your current skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and how they align with your new career goals. You can use online tools, such as SkillScan or MySkillsFuture, to evaluate your skills and interests, and compare them with the requirements of your target industry or role. You can also ask for feedback from your current or former colleagues, mentors, or clients, and review your performance appraisals or portfolios. This will help you determine which skills you already have, and which ones you need to develop or improve.

4 Apply your skills in practice

The fourth step is to apply your skills in practice, and demonstrate your competence and potential. You can do this by taking on projects, assignments, or tasks that are related to your new career, either in your current job, or as a freelancer, volunteer, or intern. You can use platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Catchafire, to find opportunities to work on real-world projects for clients, or join organizations, such as UN Volunteers, Idealist, or Taproot Foundation, to contribute to social causes. You can also create your own portfolio, blog, or website, to showcase your work and achievements.

5 Update your online presence

The fifth step is to update your online presence, and make sure it reflects your new career aspirations and skills. You can do this by updating your LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, and social media accounts, to highlight your relevant skills, education, experience, and accomplishments. You can also use keywords, hashtags, or tags, that are relevant to your target industry or role, to optimize your visibility and reach. You can also join online communities, groups, or forums, that are related to your new career, and participate in discussions, share your insights, or ask questions.

6 Seek feedback and support

The final step is to seek feedback and support, and learn from your mistakes and successes. You can do this by asking for feedback from your instructors, mentors, peers, or clients, on your skills, performance, or work quality, and use it to improve your areas of improvement. You can also seek support from your family, friends, or colleagues, who can encourage you, motivate you, or help you cope with stress and challenges. You can also find a coach, counselor, or career advisor, who can guide you, advise you, or help you overcome any obstacles or doubts.

Changing careers is not easy, but it is possible. By following these steps, you can improve your skills and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?