Navigating Career Change: Tips for Success
Melanie Mitchell Wexler
Career Coach - Empowering Mid to Executive-Level Professionals to Achieve Purpose-Driven Career Transitions | Resume, LinkedIn?, Job Search & Interview Specialist | Former Recruiter
You have decided to brave the job market and make a career change.
Changing careers is more straightforward than you think — if you’re willing to do your part.
Achieving a successful career change requires a significant effort and belief in your potential. While the process may seem monumental at times, staying focused and dedicated will help you reach your goals.
If it's been a while since you last updated your resume, embracing a new mindset and reality is crucial. For those who have consistently experienced success, this may be the first time you'll need to go above and beyond to make a lasting impression.
It's easy to feel discouraged when facing repeated rejection or the need to prove your abilities and commitment, especially when competing against more qualified, younger, or less expensive candidates. Current unemployment numbers can add to this challenge.
Instead of letting these factors deter you, use them to develop a strategic game plan, maximizing your chances of success.
Pursuing a new career direction introduces many new barriers. Without following the right steps, you may find yourself overthinking, over-preparing, or impulsively jumping in too quickly.
Such detours can unnecessarily interrupt your progress and leave you questioning whether you're on the right track.
Ready to eliminate unnecessary obstacles on your path to a new career? Avoid the seven critical mistakes below, and you'll be off to a great start.
1. Skipping steps.
While it might be tempting to send out an outpouring of resumes the minute you decide to undertake a career change, enthusiasm alone won’t cut it. You need a clear goal and game plan.
When you begin this process, you need a clear and defensible goal, one that demonstrates your commitment to doing whatever it takes to cross the finish line i.e., classes, certifications, an apprenticeship, anticipating and preparing for any pushback.
It’s also important to avoid the mistake of jumping in headfirst if you won’t be able to carve out the time to achieve your transition. Giving yourself permission to tackle your career change a few months down the road could be the answer if you’re currently flooded with things like family obligations or other commitments.
2. Knowing it all.
Skipping steps or looking for shortcuts is not recommended because it can backfire. It can keep you from achieving your goal expeditiously. And if it does happen quickly, you may discover that you are not happy with the results.
Be intentional and don’t assume you know everything. Stay open to learning new things and changing your mind. “This is the ‘be careful what you wish for’ outcome for individuals who were careless early on and assumed they knew everything they needed to make a move.
3. Playing it too safe.
That being said, you don’t want to be too careful either.?Any career transition will involve getting out of your comfort zone and being comfortable with a certain amount of risk.
If you want something badly enough you will need to prove that you deserve to be taken seriously. You need to put yourself out there no matter how uncomfortable this may feel.
4. Ignoring your network.
Many professionals only tap into their network when they need something — or forget their network exists altogether when they’re on the hunt for new opportunities. Start viewing networking as a consistent, genuine relationship-building effort and you’ll reap the results during your career change.
The purpose of a network is to create a community of advocates who believe in you and who are willing to support your mission.
5. Not being diligent with follow-ups.
Not committing the time and effort for meaningful and sincere follow-ups is a common — and potentially costly — mistaken.?Those follow-ups can make all the difference when switching careers.
Expressing gratitude to the people who help you along the way is essential; but so is using this follow up to show that you know what it takes to be effective in this new career.
6. Mismanaging stress.
Under stress, especially over an extended period of time, it is common for the stress to surface in how we communicate. We can come across as desperate, eager or naive. Perhaps angry that it’s not happening fast enough.
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None of the scenarios above give a great impression when you’re trying to get a new job. Yes, a career transition can be stressful. But having healthy coping mechanisms and outlets to manage your stress levels can help you avoid channeling it outwards in counterproductive ways.
7. Losing focus.
The process of reinventing your career might not be clear cut. It might be filled with ups and downs and pleasant or less pleasant surprises. Don’t make the mistake of getting carried away and losing focus.
Be clear on your goal. Be able to explain with precision why you are pursuing this goal. Have a game plan to follow and monitor your progress. And demonstrate how and why you will be able to contribute immediately to this new capacity.
This is your opportunity to stand out. Remember that when you decide to make a career change, you will be competing with other candidates who likely have experience and won’t require training. You need to show that you bring something more and equally valuable to this new role.
Let’s Connect!
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out or schedule a discovery call. Together, we can create a resume that opens doors to new opportunities.
Book a Discovery Call: [https://bit.ly/3Lj7DQm ]
Thank you for being part of my network. Stay tuned for more insights and tips to elevate your professional journey.
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4 个月I agree! Very much, it been nice to have this information 35 years ago.