4 Tips for Making a Career Change and Starting Over
One of the most unrealistic expectations placed on us by society is the entire construct of dictating our future at the tender age of 18 years old. Before we graduate high school, we’re expected to decide what we want to do for the rest of our lives.
At that age, most people have incredibly limited life experience. They know nothing of the world or careers. Therefore, it’s not surprising that only 27% of people work in a field related to their degree.
If you find yourself wanting more out of your professional life, making a career change might be the best solution. After all, people grow, change, and become different people from who they were in high school, college, or even five years ago.
We’re here to help. Keep reading for four tips on how to change careers.
1. Find the Right Career
First, you need to figure out what you want to do. While there’s nothing wrong with making a career change, you won’t want to start over every couple of years.
What are you passionate about? What kind of work makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day? What skills and talents do you possess?
For example, if you like working with your hands, it might be a good idea to get into woodworking, construction, contracting, or landscaping. If you’re passionate about helping others, becoming a home care worker would be a fulfilling career choice.
2. Do Your Homework
Once you have a relative idea about the type of work you want to do, it’s time to start doing a little research. What types of jobs exist in the field you’re interested in? What types of certifications do you need?
Additionally, think about the long-term consequences of your career choice. For example, what income potential is there? If it’s a physical job, what long-term physical effects will you experience?
3. Plan Ahead
By now, you should have your new career locked in. But before you quit your current job, you need to do a little planning. Learning how to change careers responsibly is about making a smooth transition.
You need to prepare for any changes in your finances ahead of time. This includes paying for your certification/degree.
Finally, timing is everything. You don’t want to quit your current job until you have your next job lined up. Although, you may need to work fewer hours if you’re trying to balance work and schooling.
4. Apply for Your New Job
After you complete the necessary certification, licensing, or schooling process for making a career change, the next step is reaching out to potential employers. However, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Apply to multiple companies for the best chances of getting a job.
You must accept that finding a new career means learning how to start over with your life. You’re not going to start out at the top of your field. You’ll probably even take a pay cut compared to your old income.
However, if this is the job you were meant to do, it should be easy to pay your dues, get experience, and work your way back up the ladder.
Planning on Making a Career Change?
If you’re thinking about making a career change, we commend you for your courage. Just make sure you’re willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices. Most importantly, do your homework so you know what you’re getting into.
And if you’re looking for more professional advice, stick around for a while and read through some of our other articles. Our blog was created to help people like you thrive in their professional lives. Good luck!
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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