ACCESSIBLE CAREER CHANGE COACHING

  • HOME
  • PATHFINDER
  • MASTERCLASS
  • COACHING
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • LOGIN
Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, February 7 2023

Unlock Your Potential: How to Make Smart Career Choices

Are you feeling stuck in your current career path? Are you looking to make a change, but don't know where to start? It can be daunting to take the first step toward making new career choices. However, with some guidance and planning, you can find a direction that works for you. 

We'll look at how to identify goals and research options so that when it comes time for choosing different paths of work, it will feel like an informed decision rather than taking a leap into the unknown. Join us as we explore ways of finding success through carefully thought out career choices.

Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

Identifying Your Goals

Are you considering a career change? It can be an intimidating process, but it doesn't have to be. The first step is identifying your goals. Ask yourself what kind of job would make you happy and fulfil your needs. Consider the type of environment you'd like to work in, the salary range that would suit your lifestyle, and any other factors that are important to you.

Think about the skills and experience you already have and how they could help you reach these goals. For example, if your current job involves working with clients or customers, consider looking for a role where those skills will be useful. If you're good at problem-solving or managing projects, look for roles that require those abilities.

Take some time to reflect on what's most important to you when it comes to finding a new job: Do want more responsibility? Would flexible hours make life easier? Are there certain benefits or perks that would make this job attractive? Knowing exactly what matters most will help narrow down potential opportunities so that they fit with who are as well as what makes sense financially and professionally.

Finally, don't forget about personal interests. What do enjoy doing outside of work? Could any hobbies or passions translate into something meaningful in terms of employment options? Maybe volunteering has given rise to new ideas about possible careers paths – explore them further.

Finally, don't forget about personal interests. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Could any hobbies or passions translate into something meaningful in terms of employment options? Maybe volunteering has given rise to new ideas about possible career paths - explore them further. Taking the time now to identify your goals for a career change before diving into research mode can save time later on by helping focus efforts towards realistic possibilities rather than dead ends, ultimately setting up success down the road.

Once you have identified your goals, it is time to define the criteria that will help guide your career change journey.

Key Takeaway: Take time to identify your goals for a career change: consider the type of environment you'd like, salary range and other important factors; reflect on what matters most in terms of job satisfaction; explore personal interests and hobbies that could lead to meaningful employment.

Defining Your Criteria

When it comes to making a career change, it is important to define your criteria for success. This will help you narrow down the list of potential job opportunities and make sure that you are pursuing roles that align with your goals.

First, consider what type of work environment would be best suited for you. Do you prefer working in an office or from home? Are there certain industries or companies that interest you more than others? What kind of hours do you want to work? All these questions should be taken into account when deciding on a new career path.

Second, think about the skills and qualifications needed for each role. Consider which ones are transferable from previous positions and which ones may need further development before applying for jobs. Make sure any training requirements can fit within your budget and timeline as well.

Third, look at salary expectations and benefits packages associated with different roles. It’s important to find out if the compensation offered is enough to cover living expenses while still allowing time off for leisure activities or family commitments outside of work hours. Also consider whether additional perks such as flexible working arrangements could make a difference in terms of overall satisfaction with the job itself once hired on full-time basis

Finally, research company culture before applying for any position - this includes looking into employee reviews online as well as asking current employees about their experiences at the company during interviews (if possible). Knowing how people feel about their workplace can give insight into how successful one might be in similar positions within those organisations over time.

Once you have a clear understanding of your criteria, you can start exploring potential job ideas that fit those criteria and make the best decision for your future.

Key Takeaway: When considering a career change, it's important to define criteria for success such as desired work environment, skills or qualifications needed, salary expectations and company culture. Research these elements thoroughly before applying for jobs to ensure the best fit.

Creating A List Of Job Ideas

Creating a list of job ideas is an important step in any career change. It can help you narrow down your options and focus on the best opportunities for you. To get started, take some time to think about what kind of work would make you happiest and most fulfilled. Consider factors such as salary, location, hours, benefits, company culture, etc., that are important to you.

Once you have identified your criteria for success in a new job role or industry, start researching potential positions that fit these requirements. Start by looking at job postings online or through professional networks like LinkedIn or Glassdoor. Make sure to read through the descriptions carefully so that you understand exactly what each position entails before adding it to your list of possibilities.

You may also want to consider reaching out directly to people who already hold similar positions and ask them questions about their experience with the role and company they work for. This will give you valuable insight into what it’s really like working in this field or organisation and if it’s something that might be right for you long-term.

In addition to researching specific jobs online, try exploring different industries as well as attending networking events related to those fields where possible – even if they don't seem immediately relevant at first glance. You never know when one conversation could lead to an unexpected opportunity down the line. Asking friends and family members who have made successful career changes can also provide helpful advice on how they navigated their own transitions successfully too - which could prove invaluable during yours.

Finally, once all of your research is complete, create a comprehensive list of potential roles, industries and companies that meet all (or most) of your criteria from earlier on in this process. Use this information as part of creating an action plan moving forward towards making a successful career change happen sooner rather than later.

Once you have a list of job ideas, it's time to do some research and find out which options are the best fit for your skills and interests.

Key Takeaway: Take the time to research potential job roles and industries thoroughly, asking questions of those already in similar positions. Reach out to friends and family for advice, attend networking events related to your interests and create a comprehensive list of possible career options based on your criteria.

Researching Options

Researching potential career paths is an important step in navigating a successful career change. It's essential to understand the industry you're interested in, as well as the roles and responsibilities associated with it. To start, look into different industries and roles that might fit with your skillset and interests. Talk to people who are already working in those fields, read up on industry trends, and look at job postings for positions that interest you.

Consider what type of environment would be best suited for your personality – do you prefer a fast-paced office or a more relaxed atmosphere? Do you want to work independently or collaborate with others? Think about how much money you need to make each month or year; this will help narrow down which jobs may be right for you. Additionally, consider whether there are any certifications or additional training needed before applying for certain positions.

Once you have identified some potential options, research them further by reading online reviews from current employees about their experience within the company or role itself. This can provide valuable insight into what life is like at these companies and give an indication of whether they’re likely to offer competitive salaries and benefits packages too. You should also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals who currently work in similar roles so that they can provide advice on how best to approach applications and interviews if necessary.

Finally, take time out of your day-to-day routine to attend networking events related to the field(s) that interest you most; this could include anything from seminars hosted by industry experts through to workshops run by recruiters looking for new talent. Networking gives individuals access not only knowledge but also contacts which could prove invaluable when making decisions about future employment opportunities - so don't miss out on these valuable resources.

Researching options can help you gain clarity on the available paths for your career change. Narrowing down your options is the next step in making an informed decision about which direction to take.

Key Takeaway: Researching potential career paths is essential to a successful career change. Research industries, roles and job postings; consider the environment and salary expectations; read reviews from current employees; connect with professionals on social media platforms; attend networking events for knowledge and contacts.

Narrowing Down Your Options

When it comes to narrowing down your options, the best place to start is by evaluating what you want out of a career. Think about what motivates you and why you are looking for a change in the first place. Are there certain industries or roles that appeal to you? What type of work environment do you prefer? Do any particular skills stand out as important for success in your new role?

Once you have identified these criteria, create a list of job ideas that meet them. This could include researching specific companies or organisations, exploring different types of positions within an industry, or even considering freelance opportunities. Be sure to think outside the box and don’t limit yourself too much at this stage—you can always narrow down further later on.

Next, research each option thoroughly before making any decisions. Read up on job descriptions and salary expectations so that you know exactly what kind of commitment each opportunity requires. Look into potential employers and ask questions about their company culture if possible—this will help ensure that they align with your values and goals. Additionally, consider networking with professionals who already work in the field; they may be able to provide valuable insight into whether or not it’s right for you.

Finally, once all your research is complete it’s time to make some tough choices. Start by eliminating any options which don’t fit with your criteria or feel like a good fit overall; then rank those remaining according to preference until only one remains at the top spot. Once this decision has been made it should be easier than ever before to move forward confidently towards achieving your career goals.

Once you have identified the career paths that fit your interests and skills, it's time to start making decisions on which ones to pursue. Start by narrowing down your options and then move onto making your first choices.

Key Takeaway: When considering a career change, research your options thoroughly and evaluate what motivates you. Create a list of job ideas that meet your criteria, research each option in depth, and make tough choices based on preference.

Conclusion

Making career choices can be a daunting process, but with the right guidance and research, you can make an informed decision that is best for your future. Identifying your goals and researching options are key steps in making sure you have all the information necessary to make smart career choices. 

With careful consideration of what criteria matters most to you, creating a list of job ideas, narrowing down your options and making your first choice will help ensure that you make the right decision for yourself. Don't forget to take into account any external factors such as location or salary when considering potential career choices.

Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

Written by

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

Tags

Previous Unlock Your Dream Career: What's the Easiest Career Change?
Next How To Uncover The Best Career Options For You Today