Are you ready to change your career? Did 2020 cause you to lose your job? Or rethink your job? Changing careers can be a scary milestone. But when you’re disinterested and uninspired at work, or you lose your job, you need to make a change.
For some people, it’s a quick and easy process. Deep down they’ve known what they’ve wanted to do their whole lives. Other people struggle a bit more to find that perfect fit. Fortunately, once you find it, a career you love is well worth it! Here are three things you can do to move toward a new career that you can replicate.
Take inventory
Start by tracking what you do best. Make a list of what you enjoy doing and what you do well, two lists that usually overlap. Include your interests talents that don’t earn any money. Ask friends and family what they think you do well. Sometimes other people have the best insight. List your training, any certifications you have, and your experiences. Make sure your lists incorporate any volunteering you’ve done and any unusual classes you’ve taken. Don’t underestimate the value of your transferrable skills!
Do your research and narrow the list
Search the internet to find jobs that matched your skills, talents, and experience. Try searching under job skills, career skills, and skills assessments. Be open-minded and don’t limit yourself to jobs that you think you should be looking at based on your current job. Visit your library and learn more about various career fields and training programs. Check with local government employment offices to learn about job possibilities in your chosen field.
Start to network and interview people in careers you might be interested in. Ask what they like about it and how you can be successful in it. 
What are the most important skills and qualifications? What are the challenges? If there’s a union or professional organization, ask them for information as well. Do some soul-searching to determine if these are things you’d enjoy and obstacles you can handle.
In addition to interviews, shadow with people in various industries to find out what your idea jobs are really like. When you don’t like something, cross it off your list of possibilities. Each dead end will help you find a role that you didn’t even know existed. Your list will also keep evolving as you collect more information. Eventually, you should be able to narrowed your list to three or four possible careers.
Make a plan
Once you’ve narrowed her list, start networking, making connections and seeking out recruiters, to learn as much as you can about your new industry. Look for people and opportunities, not jobs! Introduce yourself, ask questions, and find out whether they’re hiring. Ask whether you need more training. Remember to keep your current job as long as you can. If keeping your current job isn’t a possibility, consider taking a lower level job in your desired field so you can work your way up. Join a union or professional organization. Polish your resume and start searching.
Remember that you need to act. Don’t wait around, overanalyzing your lists! Instead take action! This doesn’t mean you need to walk away from your current job, though. You’re actually more likely to get hired if you’re still employed.
For more advice on making a career change, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh