Perhaps you’re considering a change of career in 2021? With a brand new year ahead of us it’s the perfect time to set yourself some fresh goals. Approaching a career change is both exciting and challenging. You might have some ideas in mind, or be unsure where to start. To support you to get going, consider trying these seven simple tips.
Determine your motivations
The first step is to determine your motivations, you need to establish the reason why you’re looking for a change of career. Defining your motivations will help you to move in the right direction.
Perhaps you’re looking for a new career because you don’t see enough earning potential in your current field? In this case, you’ll want to focus on career paths with high earning possibilities. Instead, you might be looking for a change because your current career doesn’t feel meaningful? Perhaps then you need to move towards an altruistic career, that gives back to society.
Consider your Strengths and Passions
Take things back to basics and write a list of your strengths and your passions. Once you’ve got this list, consider the industries where you might thrive and increase your job satisfaction. If there are things you do like about your current career, list these ideas also. You might not be happy in your current role, but you’ve likely gained plenty of transferable skills that you can take to a new industry. Once you’ve got a solid idea of your skills, it’s easier to decide out which careers to consider in 2021.
Perform detailed research
When you’re approaching a career change, you’ll need to perform a detailed research. Once you’ve got a list of potential industries and roles, find out the exact path you need to take. Research the leading training opportunities, companies, and so on.
To support this part of the process you might like to check out the Good&Co app. The app uses personality and psychometric tests, to help match you with the perfect workplace. The idea is to match employers and employees who are a good fit in terms of company culture.
Build your brand
When you’re approaching a career change, it’s helpful to build your brand online. Use sites like LinkedIn to create your work profile, and make professional connections. Consider setting up a professional website, and writing a blog that discusses industry-based topics. With plenty of competition for roles, your personal brand can help to set you apart from the rest.
Get Networking
Networking is one of the best ways to approach a career change, and several tools can support you to do this:
Bizzabo: Using the Bizzabo app you can connect with new people, whether virtually or in person. You can even host your own professional events, using the Bizzabo platform.
Clubhouse: This application provides audio-conversations on a huge range of topics. You can ‘drop-in’ on these conversations, or you can start convos of your own using the Clubhouse ‘rooms’ feature. With the help of Clubhouse, users can talk to professionals who they may not have otherwise come across.
LunchClub: The Lunchclub app allows you to match with other professionals, and then meet using a 1:1 video chat. Once you’ve input a bit about your industry and goals, the app can match you with people who are a good fit.
Further study or training
Depending on your goals, a change of career might involve further study or training. There are plenty of virtual training opportunities online, whether you’re looking for a degree or a short vocational course. Naturally, some professionals are more suited to in-person training, and as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, these opportunities are becoming a possibility. To learn more about learning a trade-in in your area, take a look at https://tradeschoolsnearyou.com.
Hire a career coach
Feeling a little lost and not sure how to get started? Consider hiring a career coach, to help you set some career goals. With the support of a coach you can:
- Determine potential career paths
- Update your resume and professional online accounts
- Find potential roles to apply for
- Create a careers roadmap
- Identify training opportunities in your area
With the right support, it’s easier to create a clear roadmap and start making progress.
While you’re working through the process it might be helpful to start a career journal. A journal can help you to break your long-term goals into shorter steps, and to document your ongoing progress.
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