Successful Career Change

1. Assess your current job satisfaction – If you are seriously considering a career change, you should first determine how satisfied you are with your current position. Take daily notes on how satisfied or dissatisfied you are with your current job and identify any recurring themes. Once you have determined what you DON’T like about your current job, it is easier to choose a suitable career.
   
   
2. Assess your interests and skills – To choose the right career, you must objectively assess your interests and skills. Explore successful roles that you’ve held in the past, whether they were at a job, a volunteer organization, or a professional organization. To gain a more objective viewpoint, ask for constructive feedback from coworkers, clients, previous employers, etc. Which types of roles have you excelled in?
   
   
3. Set objectives – Set process-oriented objectives after having a clear understanding of what you wish to achieve. Instead of focusing on obtaining the desired job, focus on acquiring multiple skills that will qualify you for the desired position.
   
   
4. Make a list of career alternatives – Talking to the people who know you best, such as your family, friends, contacts in your professional network, former coworkers, and others, can help you identify your most fundamental beliefs and qualities. You should be open to the feedback you receive after seeking advice regarding the possible career paths you are considering. The people who are closest to you may be able to provide insightful feedback regarding choices in a career path.
   
   
5. Look for ways to develop new skills – Regardless of the career path you’ve chosen, you will need to master certain industry and job-specific skills. You can begin with independent studies, such as reading blogs and books on the topic, listening to industry-related podcasts, and testing tools and software whenever possible among many other possibilities.
   
   
6. Investigate educational opportunities – If your new field requires a specific type of degree, consider taking classes while you’re at your current job. If you decide to pursue a structured learning path, it may take the form of a traditional college or university degree, an online course or training course, or a vocational training program, depending on the industry you wish to enter.
   
   
7. Network – The most effective way to discover new career opportunities is to start connecting with people who are already doing what you want to do. Be inventive in your approach to contacting influential individuals in your industry of choice. Maintain friendly and consistent contact with these individuals while pursuing a career change, as they are frequently the best information sources.
   
   
8. Be willing to start over – In most cases, changing careers requires starting anew. It can result in less pay, less seniority, fewer benefits, and the need to prove yourself all over again. If you are unwilling to make such sacrifices, you may want to reconsider your choice. Keep in mind that opportunities will increase as you grow in your new field. If the new job offers a high level of fulfillment, in the long run, a small sacrifice now may be worthwhile.
   
   
9. Creating a cover letter and resume tailored to your new career path – The final step in the process of preparing for a career change. Use the first paragraph of a cover letter for a career change to summarize your qualifications and describe how they align with the employer’s needs for the position. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight your acquired skills and discuss your previous job changes. Describe how you will make the most of your previous work experience and build upon it so that you can be successful in your new career. Demonstrate how you have already overcome challenges along the path to a new career by showing that you have taken new classes, connected with industry experts, and implemented their recommendations.
   
   

One thing is certain – by acknowledging that you want to change careers, you have taken the first step. While there are undoubtedly common patterns of success for those making significant career changes, it is up to you to take the steps necessary for your unique career turnaround. Think of changing careers as a long-term project that requires careful planning, thorough consideration, and the creation of a detailed strategy. It will certainly be a difficult process, but it could also be one of the best decisions you have ever made. Why settle if you’re unhappy where you are or wish you were doing something else?