Do a Career Transition in A Pandemic? You Betcha! Here's Why

If you're wondering if now is the right time to switch careers, especially during a global pandemic, the answer is a resounding YES!

The job market has changed more in the last year than it has in years. For a long time, it's been an employer's market. But recent changes have meant that the tables have turned—now it's an employee's market.

The pandemic has created a job market where there are more openings than employees, which means that companies have to do what they can to get people to work for them—including offering higher salaries and better benefits. It’s been decades since this happened!

This means that if you've always wanted to change careers but couldn't find the time or you weren't sure about your options, now is the perfect time to get started.

It also means that you're in a great position to switch careers and get a job that pays more and offers better benefits. So why not go for it?

It may seem scary to make a move like that during an uncertain time, but if you're serious about making a change it's never going to be less risky than right now. Why? Because it's an employee market.

If you’re miserable at work. You hate your boss, you hate your coworkers, and most of all, you hate the work itself. You want out—you want a career where you can be yourself, do something that makes a difference in the world, and make a little bit of money while you’re at it!

But now’s not the time to make sweeping life changes, right? Actually, it might just be!

Here are some reasons why it's easier to make a career change now than ever before:

1. Your current field may not recover from the pandemic as quickly as you'd like, so it may be time to pivot into something new and exciting.

2. The job market is competitive right now, so companies are willing to hire people with less experience than they were just a few years ago (so no matter how much experience you do or don't have, there's probably something out there for you).

3.?With the pandemic upending jobs nationwide, companies are scrambling to fill open positions. Because it's an employee market—this means more leverage for you as you negotiate pay, work schedules, and benefits.

Many people have used their time during the pandemic to reflect on their careers and decide whether they want to stay in their current fields or pursue new ones.?If you are considering a career change now, here are a few other things to consider:

? What skills do I currently have that would help me in my new career??Do I need to develop some new skills?

? What type of research can I do to learn more about my new career?

? What is my support system like??Do I have friends and family who are willing to support me during this transition?

? Do I need additional training or an advanced degree? Tech, finance, healthcare, real estate, and e-commerce are industries that fared well during the pandemic. Many companies are looking to fill high-level?jobs.

Here are some additional things you should keep in mind:

Pick a Career Industry with high growth potential

This is a great time to consider up-skilling within your career. Employers don’t really want to lose employers. So, take the initiative and see what’s available. No doubt many employers will want to maintain a good employee by training and promoting. If you are staying put in a job, make sure it’s high growth over the long term.

Consider an Industry Shift

This is also a great time to consider transitioning into a high growth industry. Tech is still on fire, but so are cybersecurity, marketing, human resources, healthcare, and other STEM jobs. Career coaches are great at helping you do deep dives on what you already know and finding careers that use the overlap. Then help you reconstruct your resume to match. As well as coaching you how to answer interview questions in the best way. So that you position yourself well as a candidate. And showcases what you already know in a manner that shows your value in the new industry.

Consider a Bridge Job

Sometimes when you want to make a career change, you want to transition from job A to job C.?However, you need to pick up some additional experience (and/or training) before landing job C. A bridge job is one that gives you an opportunity to pick up the valuable experience you need, ideally in an industry similar to job C.?It also shows potential employers that you're already taking steps toward something bigger. In addition to picking up experience, a savvy employee will also be building/expanding her network as well.

Of course, it goes without saying that you should do your research before transitioning careers. If you’re having problems connecting the dots between your skill sets and a new career, consider hiring a career coach.

A career coach can help you figure out which careers might be a good fit for someone with your skill sets. They’ll also help you find opportunities to gain the skills you need to transition into a new career. They’ll even help with interview prep, so you’re ready to land the job of your dreams!

A coach will also help you map out your goals for the next few years of your career and life. What does “success” look like for you? How do you want to feel on a day-to-day basis? What type of work environment is best for you? A coach will help you identify and reach those goals, along with reducing stress and improving overall quality of life.

Some question you want ask when interviewing a potential career coach include:

1. Have you ever had an experience similar to mine?

2. What makes you an expert on this subject?

3. Are you certified in any way?

4. What are your rates?

No matter what your next steps are after reading this article, remember: ?Whether you're looking to learn more about career transitioning, or ready to start putting it into practice, we've got you covered.

Is your soul screaming "NO!" to your current career?

Are you feeling undervalued and unfulfilled in your professional life?

Do you know there is more, but don't know where to begin?

You are not alone.

I'm Twanna Carter, Ph.D., and I help high achieving professional women who are anxious about transitioning into a new career, have absolute confidence and belief in their own abilities, so they can communicate their unique value, honor their true purpose, and boldly pursue their dream career.

In less than an hour, you can join the thousands of other women who have gone from being stuck in a career they hate to feeling fulfilled by a job that aligns with who they were meant to be.

Schedule your free 15-minute Career Transition Consult here: bit.ly/drcarter_15min