In today’s world, individuals will change careers on average 7 times more in their lifetime, compared to only a couple of decades ago – and this rate is rising. There is more choice available to us – especially for those with talent, drive, and ambition. Currently, the support that we tend to find is really limited. It’s also pretty generic – maybe some career advice from your school, uni, or MBA school. Otherwise, not much support until you are really senior in an organization – and even then whether it is effective or not is debatable!
What results is a combination of lack of control and a cycle of movement from one unfulfilling job to another, or getting stuck at a ‘dead-end’. However – do not fear – you do not need to stay in this ‘rut’. New horizons could be just around the corner…
So – you want to look for a new and the right role. This can be challenging, difficult, lonely, and sometimes stressful. You might want to consider getting someone to ‘walk the path’ with you and help you get clear about what your options are, what you want to do, and how to get there can be hugely valuable. It is even more helpful when you know that the person accompanying you has been involved in this process before on many occasions and is a real expert. So if you work with someone to help with your career change look at their work and life experience to make sure they know what they are on about!
Right – so you are ready to change careers and want to find the right role. In order to succeed bear in mind the following tips:
1. Invest in yourself
This journey is important – so give yourself time to work it all out. You will need a significant amount of thought, consideration, time, and investment in order to make this change smoothly and to make it the right career change. There are many key stages and turning points to consider so take the time to do it.
2. Get Clarity
Without real clarity about what you want to do or how to get it, achieving any sense of fulfillment or being in control of your future will be very difficult. Therefore it is really important to work on getting clear about what your central goal is and how to achieve it. If you want to learn about the different ways to do this then feel free to drop us a note.
3. Create an action plan
Simply knowing what you want will not ensure that you get it. You need to be clear about your plan of action and how to carry out what you have specifically designed for yourself. Get clear achievable steps in place. Outline it so that it is broken down into steps that you can work through towards that bigger goal. Reward yourself and be proud of yourself as you get through each stage of your plan.
4. Focus your energy on the task
Making a change and finding the right role is not always an easy task. It can be tough, tiresome, and long. You need to stay really focused and be efficient around where you put your energy and effort to get the outcome you want. Make sure that you are in control of the key elements in your world and are able to drive forward with the career and life of your choosing. You will need perseverance and determination to help. Being smart about how you spend your time is crucial.
5. Understanding your strengths
Get to know yourself better. Identify what your key strengths are. What are you really good at? What do you enjoy that you are also good at? What skills have you learned? What are you naturally inclined to do and be better at? Make sure that you get right to the core of it. The more you know yourself the more confident you will become and the better you will be to identify the right role for you and projecting yourself in order to get it.
6. Ignite that passion
Without real passion for a role – it will be difficult to get. Even if you do get it – you will find it difficult to maintain and grow within and beyond it. What you want here is the right role. This means something that you are truly passionate about. It might take a bit of experimenting to find what ‘floats your boat’ – but it will be worth it when you have found it.
7. Know your boundaries
Being clear about what works and what doesn’t work for you in order to be happy can be groundbreaking. It sounds simple but so many of us do not actually take the time to work it out. In each different work situation – we may have different boundaries. By being clear about what they are and then communicating this clearly to others and staying true to what is important – will make a huge difference. This impacts work and your personal settings.
8. Manage and improve relationships
This is important in all aspects. If you learn to manage your relationships effectively you will be able to control the process and transition. You will be able to manage your exit smoothly from your current or old role. Understanding where your old boss is coming from and the impact you have on him/her – and how you interact could really influence how you leave a job. How you get your next job and keep it may also rely heavily on your ability to manage relationships well.
9. Leverage your connections
Learn how to network and harness your connections effectively. This does not mean bombarding people you do not know with emails or adding everyone you can find to LinkedIn. Neither is this picking up as many business cards as you can at a networking event and calling that person part of your ‘network’. Real networking is about getting to know people. You need to work on identifying and getting to know those who can help you along your way.
10. Rid yourself of blocks, fears, and insecurities
All of us have them at one stage or another. Many of us keep them for years. However, do not let them stop you. If you are afraid – that is ok – just do not let it take over and control what you do or do not do. If something is blocking you from moving forward – take the time and action you need to confront it, deal with it, and resolve it. This does not have to be done alone. Find support from those around you. Get support from a professional if it is a deeply personal issue that is troubling you. If you do not deal with it now – it will keep blocking you in different ways throughout your career and life. Once you have worked through the blocks – you will be so much more energized, comfortable, confident, and free.
Those are the 10 pieces of the pie that you must do before or as you start your journey and change careers. Each step requires some work, time, and thought – but they are important if you really want to make it work. There might be a lot to do – but you are not alone and you CAN do it.
Related: 4 Ways To Make Your Dream Employer Notice You.
Nisa Chitakasem is the founder of Position Ignition – a careers company dedicated to taking you to the next step in your career.
