In life, there comes a time when individuals decide to change their careers. The reasons for changing careers may differ from person to person, but the aim for changing careers is almost similar for everyone, that is – job satisfaction.
Are you planning to change your career in future? But, you are not sure where to start. Don’t worry. You have landed at the right place.
So, starting from scratch, let’s check out this step-by-step plan to help you change your careers successfully.
What are the Reasons for Career Change?
Individuals can change their careers as many times as they want, there is no such limit on how many times individuals can change their careers. However, we often witness people switch their occupations and industries.
Some prime reasons for a career change may include flexibility, salary increase, lower stress levels, feeling of appreciation, and growth opportunities.
Career Change Strategy You Can Follow
No matter what age or professional group you fall into. Below is the fail-safe plan anyone can use to make a better choice if they think of a successful career change.
1. Find Your ‘Why”
Take enough time to introspect your current career. Think about why you want to change it. Make a journal and enlist things about your reactions to your current job and how they make you feel personally and professionally. It is related to your job satisfaction in your current role.
If the list of the negatives exceeds the positives, it’s time to rethink and reflect on the most important “Why”. Why do you want to change your career? What is that thing you don’t like the most? Note it all down, and here you will find your Why.
2. Focus on Your “What”
While you are focusing on why you want to change your career, and what a fulfilling career means to you, also consider in what manner you wish to change your career paths. Some people switch careers by starting over from a similar industry or a completely different one, whereas others may think of a new profession within the same industry.
So, decide your what by considering what type of industry you think will best suit your career objectives while centralising job satisfaction at the core.
3. Scrutinise Careers Appealing to You
Before stepping into the career change journey, research, and find out the industries and jobs that may best align with your skills and values. If you find it challenging to research career options fitting your occupational needs, you can ask your professional network to help you.
Also, you can get help from career counsellors for better career suggestions based on your personality and education. Apart from that, various platforms can help you find better career choices based on your skills, qualifications, values, and requirements. Options like these will help you narrow your career search down and focus on what is best for you.
4. Search for Potential Job Matches
After carefully and strategically scrutinising your options, it’s time to search for your potential job matches. You can go for exhaustive research using the internet, i.e., professional platforms, and connect with people of the same field, or your college alumni.
Another way to find the best potential job matches is to join job portals like the Remark Jobs. Platforms like this have an extensive database of opportunities you are looking for in top companies. It’s the easiest way to find the best-suited job for your career change.
5. Make Your Plan of Action
Crafting an action plan includes defining clear goals and milestones to achieve it. You have come this far, doing all the research, and now you can choose your specific job. Now is the time to consider what it will take to get there.
Do you have the desired skills and qualifications to get that job? If not, then, it’s time to work on honing your skills and attending seminars and classes to get the certifications needed for that position. It’s time to make a complete list of what you need to accomplish your career change goal.
6. Upgrade Yourself as a Brand
Re-branding yourself does not only mean upgrading your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. You require a bit of personal re-branding too. You can shift your brand so that your new potential employers will find how and why you can be the best for the role they are hiring you for.
Highlight in your resume that your previous job experience can help contribute to the organisation’s growth. Work on your social media presence. Add newly achieved and desired skills to your resume, cover letter and portfolio.
7. Mobilise Your Network
Be specific about what industry and role you are looking for and reach out to people who can help you achieve this. Focus on connecting with professionals, who you trust can help you make informed decisions by informing you about opportunities available in their organisation or network.
Contact like-minded individuals via messaging, professional platforms, professional events and meetups, or social platforms for professionals.
8. Refine Your Skills and Qualifications for Better Career Change Options
If you are considering a career change that requires earning degrees or certifications for a specific role apart from your previous professional experience, you can seek additional education. You can achieve this by doing college courses, continuing education classes, or even opting for free online resources.
If you are a working professional, you can choose the workplace learning and upskilling programs offered by your employer. It will help you understand the requirements and vision of the position or industry you want to switch to.
9. Track Your Progress Actively
Leave no stone unturned when it comes to career change. Every step counts. Work on the above steps with pure dedication and track every step. Make an Excel sheet or a journal where you can list everything you have done so far to achieve your career change goal.
Work on things you think need improvement whether it is personal branding or networking with people who can help you. Once you are done doing this, you will see you are already making progress.
Conclusion: Find Your Desired Career
Career change is not that easy most people think, but it’s not impossible either. You can change your career path at any point in time, at any age. You only need the right plan to do it. We assume if the above master plan will help people in their career change journeys even one per cent, that’s all we wanted while doing our part. We can help you with career change decisions with thousands of matching jobs.