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Tips & Advice on How to Change Career

By: Emma Jones - Updated: 5 Jan 2013 | comments*Discuss
 
Tips & Advice On How To Change Career

It is easy to fall into a career that you never really meant to follow. Then, years down the line you realise that you don’t enjoy it and want to do something new. It can be a scary thought to leave the security of your job and try something totally different but it can be done. It just takes a bit of confidence, guts and planning. If you are thinking about changing career then don’t be scared but be ready for a new adventure.

What Are Your Priorities?

There are many different reasons why people want to change career. It may be that you are looking for more job satisfaction or career development. Maybe you want more flexible working hours or perhaps you want to do something that pays more. Whatever your priorities are, you need to be clear about them and set out to satisfy them. By being clear about what you want and which aspects of your new career are most important to you, it will be easier to go out there and get it.

Do Your Research

Before you quit your current job and go off on a flight of fancy, you need to know everything you can about your career change. What are your skills and attributes? What additional training or experience do you need? How easy is it to get a job in your chosen field? Will you have to take a pay cut?

You can do a lot of research on the internet but it is also a good idea to talk to a career advisor as well as associations within the new career area. You need to know as much as you can about the possible pitfalls so that you can decide if it is the best move to make.

Get The Right Training

For some jobs, you may not need any new training but for most career changes you will. Find out if you can take evening classes or home study or whether you will need to go back to college. Some areas may be more focused on experience so find out if you can do volunteer work or take some holiday time from work to do a placement within another company. You need to make sure you are as prepared as possible to make the most of your new chosen career.

Be Patient

When you decide that you are going to make the big leap obviously you want everything to fall into place right away. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work like this and it can take time for things to work properly. Accept that you may have to take a few steps backwards before you can make the most of your new career. Focus on the positive changes and what the future holds.

Deciding to change career is an exciting but also terrifying process. Make sure you do your research, know what you are capable of and what training you need to achieve it. Take small steps towards your goal and be clear about what your priorities are. Be patient and committed to changing your career and your life.

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