You’re considering a career change. What are the most important things to keep in mind?

Skills assessment is indeed the first step. Knowing your potential is important before jumping into new career options. Excellent insight, having firm belief on your skills are important.

Considering a career change? While it may pose challenges, it's definitely achievable. Everyone possesses transferable skills. Ensure you can provide concrete examples during your upcoming interview and showcase your adaptability. Also, be prepared to demonstrate your willingness to learn new skills.

Knowing your unique strengths and how to make them shine makes all the difference with the candidate being chosen for a particular job. Building on these strengths so they also remain strengths is critical. You should never let them stagnate or take them for granted or it might become a weakness.

During my experience as a careers coach, I've started to use a quadrant, to get people to think about where they want to be in (say) 5 years time. It's like the Gartner quadrants. You choose two dimensions, and then start to scatter possible jobs on those dimensions. For example * Business vs Technical (on x-axis) * Managerial vs Individual (on y-axis) So: * Product Manager would be high on the Individual side and also on the Business side * Development Director would be high on the Managerial side and around in the middle of the Business vs Technical side, more tech than biz Of course in reality there are more than two dimensions (e.g. Customer-Facing vs Internal R&D), but I've found it a useful tool to get a discussion going.

I made a "drastic" career change around 3 years ago, when I moved out of the IT Industry, where I had worked for 15 years to a full fledged role in Privacy. I wanted to spend the remainder of my work life enjoying the work that I did, that did away with stressful deadlines and stimulated me mentally. This also meant doing away with the "growth tangent" i.e. the potential road to being a GC that I had accrued in my IT counsel years This also meant considering a potentially lower payday; fortunately my wife and finance advisor had prepared a nest egg for just this plan. If you intend to change jobs, you will most always lose out on some aspect of your current job stream. If you are still willing to make that jump (or not) is up to you!

Informational interviews are a great way to explore new markets and build networks: Find 3-5 people from your extended network with connections to your target market (e.g., company, industry, profession, country) Ask for 20 minute online chats (and stick to the time) Ask what made them successful and what they like about their work and industry trends (including opportunities and threats) DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB (or a review of your CV). Ask for one or two introductions to anyone else you should speak to, and aim for about a dozen interviews. Like and share their LinkedIn content to build social capital and to ensure they remember the conversation positively. If an opportunity emerges in their network, they may remember you.

Experience over education. How have your past experiences made me you ready for the new role you are going to take on? What additional experiences can you get in order to make that transition?

As a career consultant, I recommend thoroughly researching potential careers by utilizing various online sources such as job boards, industry websites, and social media platforms to understand the current market trends, demands, and challenges within each field. It’s important to figure out what is the trend jobs and how you can fit into one of them. Networking with professionals in your desired industries, both online and in person, is also important for gaining firsthand insights, experiences, and advice. This comprehensive approach will provide you with a realistic and updated perspective on the careers you're considering, as well as the necessary skills and qualifications required for success in each field.

Visualize this step in the career change process as a swimming pool with shallow, middle and deep end. SHALLOW END: Dip your toe in and gauge your reaction - are you following this path because you think you "should?"; Do initial "lighter" research about the industry and employers to see if it resonates. MIDDLE OF THE POOL: Explore further by having 15 minute brief conversations with people in the field; read deeper into websites, reports and articles about employers and the industry; do "career deconstruction" on LinkedIn to analyze the profiles of people in this career. DEEP END OF THE POOL: Have more and deeper networking conversations; build out a target list of employers/positions; attend events; do a market analysis of this field.

After choose your new area and career, understand what are the top skills in the area, what are the trends on the fields you're looking for. Reach out people in the field you have interest, connect, try to talk to understand what steps they did to act in that area, study. Make a list of the skills you need to improve.

Unfortunately, every week that you are unemployed is costing you money. This is why it's key to consider your career future all throughout your career journey, and not only make moves for the short term, but for the long term as well. A lay off shouldn't take you off your feet. Be prepared for these scenarios by directing your own career path by educating yourself on the current market of your industry, or even other industries where you can make the greatest impact. Don't let anything stop you from pursuing the career you choose. If you need education, get it. If you need experience, start small. Changing career paths can sometimes require sacrifice, so make sure whatever you take on, you don't quit.

As a longtime adjunct at an Ivy League graduate school, I taught too many students who enrolled as part of their career pivot -- but weren't sure what new career they wanted! Don't assume you need to go back to school to make a change. Look at the overall costs and benefits to your career post-graduate school. Is a graduate degree required, customary, or rare in your field? Will getting the degree offset the gap in your work experience that will occur if you attend school full-time? If you attend part-time so there is no employment gap, will your part-time degree be seen as competitive enough with the full-time degrees? Do employers in the field that you are targeting prioritize the graduate degree?

Si ya tienes información del mercado, de las posiciones de tu interés, etc, puedes empezar a entender las posibilidades de hacer un cambio de carrera. Cuando las brechas entre lo que se necesita y lo que puedes ofrecer son amplias, es probable que necesites invertir más tiempo antes de lograr ese cambio. A diferencia de que sólo se trate de competencias que ya tienes y que pueden transferir fácilmente al nuevo puesto o sector, o también el manejo de herramientas o sistemas similares, por ejemplo. También es importante considerar, si al hacer ese cambio será necesario que hagas un movimiento horizontal en cuanto a puesto y responsabilidad.

When contemplating a career transition, it’s essential to weigh the costs and benefits carefully. Such a shift often demands an investment of time, money, and energy as you acquire new skills or certifications. Consider your financial goals, personal growth, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. While there are risks and challenges, embracing self-awareness and leveraging tools like AI can lead to a fulfilling career path. Remember to stay adaptable and focus on long-term fulfillment.

Career change is one of the decision that needs thorough analysis of the opportunities that one will get in the near future and do survey about the facts that have lead him/her to think of change in the career. Yes, SWOT analysis is required. Leaving the current company and colleagues and joining the new organisation can be a cause of concern as the conditions may not be favorable as the time needed to settle may prolong. But if you are feeling that chances of growth are limited, then there should be no second thought. But move on with full force and courage.

Before you head straight back into a situation that you may not have been fully satisfied with, deep dive into your values, interests and passions. This may be the only opportunity you get to test other possible career opportunities. It gives you a sense of 'I gave it a go' you may realise more about yourself and steer your path in a slightly different direction, becoming more fulfilled. It also gives you the added benefit of more varied experiences, gaining different skills and perspectives.

It doesn't matter What you choose next, but it matters why you change your career, if You know what you exactly want from your life then do whatever it takes to get what you want. Because nobody learnt everything inborn. So anything can be learned and can get success in the same field when we change our paradigm from I can't to I Can. Anything is Possible if we know exactly what we want and how badly we want the same.

Gaining as much insight beyond your future job description is a great first step. You can start with informational interviews in your networking circles. Learn what they love about their job, where their strengths are, and how this compliments the needs of the job/company. Be prepared to take notes on the differences from your industry/role and your interviewees’. For example, are they using the word “facilitator” or “instructor” and how does your resume reflect the common language used inside the organization? Determine what’s missing from your skills portfolio and how you can begin adding this to your current role or outside of your organization.

Explorar uma nova carreira antes de se comprometer é essencial. Participar de cursos especializados n?o só eleva seu desenvolvimento profissional, mas também oferece um vislumbre da rotina futura. Imers?o em projetos voluntários dentro do campo desejado revela as dinamicas diárias e habilidades exigidas, proporcionando uma base sólida para tomar sua decis?o. Esta abordagem hands-on permite uma avalia??o realista das possibilidades, garantindo que a mudan?a seja n?o só desejada, mas bem fundamentada, aumentando suas chances de satisfa??o e sucesso na nova trajetória.

Try to get an internship or an opportunity to work and get a tester of the kind of tasks you would be performing in your new career before making a complete switch to it to see how deep the water is and if you are able to take a swim in that.

Les points évoqués au dessus sont cruciaux dans un changement de carrière. Il me semble aussi important de se libérer de ses pensées limitantes, de se libérer du regard des autres concernant ses choix de carrière. Enfin il est important d'avoir la pleine conscience de ses compétences pour un choix éclairé et une la mise en place éventuelle de formations

Embarking on a career change is akin to setting sail on a new adventure. It's crucial to map your journey with clear goals and steps. Remember, the essence of your past roles can be your beacon in new waters. Highlight your unique skills and achievements that are universally valued. Don't forget to engage with mentors and networks; their guidance is like the wind in your sails, propelling you forward. With careful planning and the right support, your career transition can lead to fulfilling new horizons. Chase your dreams with confidence!

Para planejar essa transi??o, algumas perguntas precisam ser respondidas: 1- Quanto tempo vou precisar para me preparar para a nova área ou fun??o? 2- Quanto vou gastar em dinheiro para essa prepara??o? 3- Terei que buscar uma recoloca??o no mercado ou é uma oportunidade interna da empresa atual? 4- Se tiver que me dedicar a uma recoloca??o, devo me desligar da empresa anterior ou fa?o a busca da oportunidade em paralelo? Respondidas essas perguntas, come?amos um plano de a??o para essa transi??o. Avalie com cuidado, tenha ousadia sem imprudência.

I wanted to draw attention to the importance of a positive mindset during career changes. I've seen many people facing challenges and feeling overwhelmed. They often think about giving up before they start or jumping into 'wrong' jobs because of desperation. Maintaining a positive mindset during these situations can make all the difference and help bounce from setbacks, handle new challenges with a fresh perspective whilst also feeling more positive and confident in their own abilities. It contributes to the overall wellbeing of an individual, reduces stress and shapes how others perceive them. It's one of the recurring themes that come up in my work & I think it's important to address it early on, even before commencing career exploration.

Como siempre, armar un plan de acción, será de gran ayuda para empezar a hacer ese cambio de carrera. Entender, qué pasos necesito dar para empezar ese camino, muchas veces largo, nos apoyará especialmente en momentos donde la duda y el temor, naturales en esta situación, nos puede hacer no tomar acción. Desde, qué conocimientos me falta adquirir, qué experiencia no tengo aún, a quién puedo contactar para que me cuentas sobre ese puesto, hasta identificar qué competencias y habilidades puedo transferir a la nueva posición y cómo mostrarlo, es parte del plan de acción, para iniciar el cambio.

As much as it's "not all about the money", for many of us, a career change is not possible without a certain level of salary. The most important step you can take when assessing a change is writing down your "deal-breakers" or "lines in the sand" when it comes to comp, vacation, hours, etc. Be realistic, particularly if this is a brand new space and/or brand new set of skills, but giving yourself a clear point of focus will help shape the direction you want to go, and make your options less overwhelming!

Career change or career transition is where you explore your own self. What do you want in your life? What do you want to achieve in a year, five years or 10 years time? Then ask your self… how are you going to have that you have dream about?

Network, Network and Network! Or put it simply talk to as many people within your network: -Ask their perspective -Be curious about their career -Don't be afraid to seek guidance/mentorship

My best advice is always to take your time, don’t go cold turkey and where possible do both ventures side by side before deciding to go all out on one. Do your research, test things out, and when ready go for it!

In my experience it’s best to make sure that the new position is aligned with your lifestyle. If you have an active and healthy personal life how does this new career fit in? Always consider how the job fits your lifestyle and not how your lifestyle should be adjusted to fit the demands of the job.