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Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, January 30 2023

Prepared to Start a New Career? Here's How to Make It Happen

Are you feeling stuck in your current career or ready to start a new career? Making the decision to pursue a different professional path can be daunting, but with the right guidance and advice it doesn't have to be.

Starting a new career requires careful consideration of goals, researching options available, networking and connecting with professionals in related fields, updating resumes for job applications, and taking action towards achieving those goals.

We'll discuss how best to approach start a new career so that you can feel confident about making this important transition.

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

Identify Your Goals

It's important to take the time to identify your goals when considering a career change. Think about what type of job you would like, the salary range you are looking for, and any other factors that are important to you. 

For example, if flexibility is important to you, consider jobs with flexible hours or remote work options. If travel is something that interests you, look into roles that require frequent travel or offer opportunities for international assignments.

When it comes to salary expectations, research salaries in your area for similar positions so that you have an idea of what employers may be willing to pay. Consider whether benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans are also part of the package and factor them into your decision-making process.

Take some time to think about how much responsibility and autonomy you want in a new role as well as any additional skills or certifications required by certain industries or positions. This will help narrow down potential job options and ensure that they align with your long-term career objectives.

Finally, make sure that whatever job path you choose is one that brings fulfilment both professionally and personally - after all, this should be an exciting journey. Ask yourself questions such as "What do I enjoy doing?", "What am I passionate about?" and "What makes me feel energised?". These answers can help guide your decisions when selecting a new career path.

Once you have identified your goals, it's time to start researching the different options available to you. This will help guide your decision-making process and ensure that you make an informed choice about which career path is right for you.

TAKEAWAY TWEET: Ready to make a career change? Take the time to identify your goals, research salaries in your area, and ask yourself questions about what brings you fulfilment. #CareerChange #JobSeekers [click to Tweet]

Research Your Options

When it comes to researching your options for a career change, the possibilities can seem overwhelming. However, with some careful planning and research, you can narrow down your choices and find the best fit for you.

Start by making a list of all the potential jobs that interest you. Consider what skills or qualifications are needed for each job and if they match up with your current experience or education level. You may also want to look into any additional certifications or training programs that could help give you an edge in certain fields. 

Once you have identified several potential paths, start doing more in-depth research on them. Look at job postings online to get an idea of what employers are looking for in terms of experience and qualifications as well as salary ranges. Also take time to read up on industry trends so that you know which areas are growing and where there is demand for new talent.

It’s also important to consider how much time and money it will take to make this transition successfully. Research educational requirements such as degree programs or apprenticeships that may be necessary before pursuing certain positions within a field or industry sector, along with associated costs like tuition fees or materials required during training courses. 

Additionally, think about how long it might take before seeing results from this career change – both financially speaking (such as when starting salaries kick in) but also emotionally (for example adjusting to a new role).

Take the time to research your options thoroughly and consider all possibilities. This will give you a better understanding of what is available and help you make an informed decision. Once you have identified potential career paths, it's time to start networking and connecting with those in the field.

Key Takeaway: Making a career change requires careful research and planning. Consider the skills, qualifications, certifications, training programs and industry trends needed for potential jobs. Additionally factor in costs of education or materials as well as time to adjust emotionally and financially.

Network & Connect

Networking is an essential part of any successful career change. It can help you find out about job openings, learn more about the industry, and build relationships with people who may be able to provide advice or open doors for you. Here are some tips on how to network effectively:

Attend Networking Events:

Attending networking events in your area is a great way to meet professionals in your field and make connections that could lead to job opportunities. Look for events hosted by professional organizations related to your desired industry or check online event calendars for local business mixers.

Join Professional Organizations:

Joining professional organizations related to your chosen field can also be beneficial when it comes to networking. Not only will this give you access to other members’ contacts, but it will also allow you gain insights into the latest trends and developments in the industry as well as potential job openings.

Social Media Platforms:

Social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter are great tools for connecting with others in your field and expanding your network of contacts. Use these platforms not just for finding jobs but also engaging with professionals already working in the industry – they may have valuable advice or even leads on potential positions available at their company or elsewhere.

Finally, don't forget that networking isn't just about making new contacts; it's also important to nurture existing relationships. Reach out regularly via email or social media so that people remember who you are when opportunities arise - this could be key if someone has a position opening up within their organisation which would suit you perfectly.

Networking and connecting with others in the industry can help you open doors to new opportunities. Now that you know how to network, it's time to focus on updating your resume.

Key Takeaway: Networking is essential for successful career changes. Use events, professional organisations and social media platforms to build relationships and expand your network of contacts.

Update Your Resume

Updating your resume is an important step when you’re considering a career change. Your resume should be tailored to the new industry or job role that you are applying for, and it should highlight any skills or experience that will help you stand out from other applicants.

When updating your resume, start by making sure all of the information is up-to-date and accurate. This includes your contact information, education, work history, and any relevant certifications or licenses. It’s also important to make sure that the format of your resume is appropriate for the job you are applying for – some industries may prefer a more traditional style while others might favour something more creative.

Next, consider what kind of language to use on your resume in order to best showcase yourself as a candidate. Think about how each position relates to the overall goal of pursuing this new career path and try to emphasise those connections throughout the document. 

Use strong action verbs like “developed” or “implemented” instead of just listing tasks performed at previous jobs; this will help demonstrate how these experiences have prepared you for success in this new field.

Finally, don't forget about adding additional sections such as awards/accomplishments or volunteer experience if they are applicable to this particular job search process. These can give potential employers further insight into who you are as an individual beyond just what's listed on paper. 

If there aren't many accomplishments related directly to this specific field yet (which is often true when transitioning careers), focus on highlighting transferable skills gained from past positions instead. Things like problem solving abilities or communication proficiency can go a long way towards helping someone stand out amongst their competition during interviews too.

Once you have updated your resume, it's time to take action and follow up on potential opportunities.

Key Takeaway: When considering a career change, update your resume to emphasize skills and experience that will help you stand out. Use strong action verbs, add additional sections if applicable, and highlight transferable skills.

Take Action & Follow Up

Once you have identified potential opportunities, it’s time to take action. Start by applying for jobs or reaching out directly to employers if possible. You can use job boards, online applications, and social media platforms such as LinkedIn to find and apply for open positions that match your skillset. 

Additionally, networking is a great way to make connections with people in the industry who may be able to help you land an interview or provide insight into what employers are looking for in candidates.

It's also important not to forget about follow up after submitting applications or attending interviews. Following up shows initiative and dedication on your part which can set you apart from other applicants. 

Try sending a thank-you note after an interview either via email or handwritten letter expressing your appreciation for their time and consideration of your candidacy; this will demonstrate politeness as well as leave a lasting impression on the employer. 

If there has been no response after several weeks since submitting an application, don't hesitate to reach out again politely asking about the status of your application - this could give you an edge over other applicants.

TAKEAWAY TWEET: Ready to make a career change? Take action by applying for jobs, networking and don't forget to follow up. Show employers your dedication and initiative with thank-you notes after interviews. #careerchange #jobsearch [click to Tweet]

Conclusion

Starting a new career can be an exciting and daunting experience. It is important to take the time to identify your goals, research your options, network and connect with professionals in the field, update your resume accordingly, and take action by following up on any leads or opportunities you may come across. 

By taking these steps into consideration when starting a new career, you will be better prepared for success. With dedication and hard work, you can make the transition from one career to another as smooth as possible. Start today by setting yourself up for success in this new journey.

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

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