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Perhaps you’ve encountered a setback in your career or maybe you’re tired of doing the same thing every day and need a change. This change could be a new job or it could be a new career entirely. Making such a large leap is not as straightforward as you would like, though, so if you’re going to do it, you need to know how to do it seriously.
Self Assessment
The first thing you need to do is take stock of yourself. What have you done at work over the past however many years that you can be proud of? How can you translate your best qualities into a new role or new career? Undertaking a skills assessment can help you highlight what you’re best at which should give you an idea of what type of careers are available to you. Of course, you can seek an entirely different job, but that could be more difficult to break into.
Research A New Career
It’s never wise to jump into a new career without knowing what to expect, so researching your career should help you get an idea about what skills or qualifications you need, the pay scale, and which companies are the very best in the industry, giving you something to aim for. You can look up positive stories and negative stories to help you prepare for anything, or even these professionals directly on forums.
Network
While online research can be beneficial, it doesn’t count for speaking to people in the field directly. You might have friends or family working in your preferred industry, so don’t be afraid to use their knowledge to give you a better idea and even prepare you for any entrance exams or tests. They can share their experiences and put you in contact with others who could mentor you or give you a more streamlined opportunity to enter the industry, even if you don’t do what you want to do immediately.
Seek New Skills
While you might be mostly qualified for a new career, you may also be in a situation where you’re missing key certifications that will enable you to pursue a new career. You won’t be able to get a job without these certifications, so research how to obtain them before applying. If you want to get into truck driving and delivery, you’ll need to earn your CDL permit before you can do anything. Likewise, some jobs still require a college degree or at least your GED. if you’re missing these, you’ll need to get them.
Take Action
You cannot wait around for something good to happen. You need to seek progress. Once you have initiated your quest for a career change, start looking for jobs or finding opportunities to build experience while you are learning or waiting for approvals. The more effort you put in now, the more comfortable you’ll be when the time finally comes.
Change
Some people are happy to stay in the same place forever. Others need change. They need to freshen up their life and do something new. If this sounds like you, consider these tips to ensure that any career change is the right choice and that you approach it in the best possible way.
