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Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, February 22 2023

What Should I Do for a Career Change? How to Find Out Now!

Are you pondering a job shift but uncertain what to pursue? You’re not alone. Many professionals experience moments of confusion and doubt when it comes to deciding whether or not they should make the leap into something new. Considering the plethora of potential careers, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you.

If this is your current dilemma, then asking yourself “what should I do for a career change?” is an important first step in finding out which direction will best suit your needs and goals. In this blog post we'll explore how assessing skills, interests and researching different paths can help determine which route might work best for you as well as provide some tips on taking action once that choice has been made.

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Deciding On Your Priorities

Before you make any decisions about your career, it’s important to assess what is most important to you. What do you want out of a job? Is it money, stability, or the ability to work from home? Or are there more intangible qualities like feeling fulfilled and having an impact on society that motivate you?

Answering such questions can prove to be a challenge. Rank your priorities according to their importance to gain insight into which elements are key when determining your career trajectory. This will help you get clarity on which aspects matter most when making decisions about your career path.

Once you have a clear idea of what matters most to you, start researching different jobs and industries that align with those needs. For example, if one of your top priorities is flexibility then look for positions with flexible hours or remote working opportunities. If compensation is a primary concern, then search for well-paying positions in sectors like finance or technology.

It's also important to consider whether certain values are non-negotiable for you when looking into potential careers paths. Do certain ethics need to be met before accepting a role? Are there specific causes that must be supported by employers for them to be considered viable options? Knowing these answers ahead of time will save time later on when applying for jobs and interviewing with potential employers who may not meet these criteria.

Don't let your job search consume you; make sure to prioritise yourself and select a position that will foster both personal growth and long-term success. Remind yourself that you are more than just a source of income; your worth is beyond measure. Make sure whatever position(s) you decide upon allows enough room for personal growth and development so that both parties benefit from the relationship long term.

It is important to prioritise what you want out of a career change and consider all the factors that will influence your decision. Once the main goals are identified, it's essential to pinpoint which elements of this shift must be secured for a successful outcome.

Key Takeaway: Before committing to any major career decisions, it is important to carefully consider your desired job requirements. Doing your research on potential positions and industries that align with those needs will help narrow down options, as well as determining non-negotiable values for yourself. Finally, remember it isn't just about money.

Choosing Your Non Negotiables

When making a career change, it is essential to identify the elements that are non-negotiable for your success and satisfaction. These are the elements of your job or career path that cannot be compromised in order for you to feel satisfied and successful. When selecting your non-negotiables, it is essential to assess the elements of a job or career path that are indispensable for you to experience success and contentment.

What compensation is required to sustain yourself and your family? Do you have financial obligations such as student loans or mortgages that will require a specific income? Are there other benefits, such as medical coverage, days off and retirement options, to consider when determining how much money you need?

Where do you want to establish your home? Do certain locations offer more opportunities than others in terms of jobs available or cost of living expenses? Are there any restrictions on where you can move due to family commitments or visa requirements?

How many hours per week can you realistically commit to working without sacrificing quality time with friends and family or personal interests outside of work? Can the job be done remotely if needed so that it is easier for travel purposes or childcare needs etc.?

Does the company’s values align with yours personally and professionally? Is their culture conducive towards growth, creativity, collaboration etc.? Would this type of environment motivate rather than stifle your productivity?

How secure is this job position within the organisation? Will this role provide potential advancement opportunities within the same field down the line ? Is there room for professional development beyond what is initially offered ?

Lastly but most importantly , does this job bring a sense of purpose, joy, satisfaction and fulfilment into your life ? Does it make use of skillsets which excite rather than exhausts us over time . In short - will we love doing what we do every day .

Taking the time to honestly assess our needs and wants before beginning a new venture can ensure that our objectives are fulfilled while also giving us confidence in having made an informed decision based on personal criteria. After all, life is too short not to.

It is important to identify the non-negotiables in your career change, such as salary expectations and job location. Evaluating your abilities and passions can help you pinpoint the vocation that would be most suitable for you.

Key Takeaway: Changing professions is a significant undertaking, so it's essential to take into account all the relevant elements. Think about salary and location needs, work hours available, company culture values and job security before making your move - but don't forget personal fulfilment. Take into account the important aspects before making a career switch to prevent any future disappointments.

Assess Your Skills and Interests

Evaluating your aptitudes and preferences prior to altering your profession is essential. Contemplate your talents, what you relish doing, and the kind of job that would bring contentment. This is key in making sure that any new career path is right for you.

Begin compiling a roster of characteristics and competencies that you deem essential in your desired occupation. What do these skills look like? Are they hard or soft skills? Do they include creativity or problem solving? Or maybe communication and collaboration? Consider which ones are non-negotiable - these should be included in every potential job opportunity.

Once you have identified your essential criteria, it’s time to explore different careers paths that fit those criteria. Take some time to research industries where those particular talents might be valued or used most effectively. For example, if problem solving is one of your strengths, then perhaps engineering or data science could be an interesting option for further exploration; if creativity is more up your alley then maybe design or marketing could be worth looking into further.

Don't forget about networking too. Reach out to people who work in similar fields as well as those who don’t – talking with them can provide valuable insight into how their jobs operate day-to-day and whether it's something that might suit your needs long term. Connections can also help open doors when it comes time for interviews down the line so use this opportunity wisely.

Finally, remember not to get overwhelmed by all the possibilities out there - sometimes having too many options can lead us astray from our true goals and values we set out with initially (which often times leads us back full circle). So keep focused on finding a role that aligns with both your skillset AND values system, because only then will lasting success follow suit.

Gauging your aptitudes and interests is a crucial initial move in finding the right career trajectory for you. Exploring the variety of job possibilities can help you pinpoint which ones could be best suited to your individual talents and ambitions.

Key Takeaway: Before venturing into a career change, it is essential to evaluate your skills and preferences. Research different industries that fit those criteria, network with professionals in similar fields, and focus on finding a role that both aligns with your values system as well as challenges you - otherwise it'll be like spinning one's wheels.

Research Different Career Paths

It’s important to research different career paths that align with your skills and interests. This can assist you in selecting the best options for yourself by honing in on those that fit your abilities and preferences. To start, assess your current skills and interests – what do you excel at? What topics or activities interest you? Knowing these can help guide which direction to take in researching potential career paths.

Once you have an idea of where to begin, it’s time to dive into the nitty gritty details of each option. Look into the educational requirements, job outlook, salary range, and other important factors for each option. Don’t forget about company culture either – if a job looks great on paper but has a terrible atmosphere then it might not be worth considering after all. Make sure any opportunity is something that meets both your professional needs as well as personal goals before committing.

You should also consider whether there are additional certifications or licenses needed for certain positions too – some jobs require special qualifications beyond just having a degree or experience in the field. Do some digging online or talk with people who already work in those industries so they can give their insight into what is required from them day-to-day on the job.

Finally, don't forget about networking opportunities - connecting with professionals who are already established in various fields could open up new doors of possibility when researching different career paths. They may even know of openings within their companies that aren't publicly advertised yet; this could be an invaluable asset when looking for a new position.

Exploring different job options is a fundamental part of making an educated decision about your future. Acting is the sole means of advancing and eventually realising triumph in this pursuit, so don't be scared to take that initial stride.

Key Takeaway: It’s essential to do your due diligence when considering a career change, taking into account not just the educational requirements and job outlook but also factors such as company culture and additional certifications. Reaching out to your connections can be a highly advantageous way of uncovering potential career paths that may not have been on your radar.

Take Action

To make a successful career change, taking action is essential. Once you’ve identified potential career paths that interest you, it’s time to start putting your plan into motion. Taking decisive steps now will hasten your progress towards a successful career shift.

Start by applying for jobs in the field or enrolling in courses related to your chosen profession. You may even want to consider volunteering or interning in order to gain experience before making a full-time commitment. Gaining experience through volunteering or interning can give an idea of the industry's various facets and help determine what job would fit best. Additionally, networking with professionals already established within the field can give great advice about how best to break into it as well as offer helpful tips on which skills are most important for success.

When attempting a career change, consider taking the bull by its horns and creating an online presence through social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. This will not only allow employers to get an idea of your qualifications but also provide them with the ability to reach out if something in particular catches their eye from either your profile or resume - so make sure it stands out. Additionally, exploring avenues outside traditional methods like submitting resumes electronically or attending interviews could open up additional job opportunities; these should all be taken into account when making this transition.

Key Takeaway: Taking action is the key to success when making a career change, so take the bull by its horns and explore all avenues.
Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

Conclusion

Making a shift in one's occupation can be difficult, yet it may bring about great satisfaction. Ultimately, the choice should be based on what is most suitable for you and your aspirations. 

It’s important that when considering “what should I do for a career change?” you assess your skills and interests, research different paths available to you, decide on priorities and non-negotiables before taking action. With careful planning and dedication it is possible to find success no matter which path you choose.

Author: Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

Naomi is the founder of Tribe And Seek and an EMCC and CIPD accredited career coach specialising in career change. 

Her career advice comes from her work alongside ex-olympic athletes supporting corporate clients like Kraft Heinz, and creating leadership courses at the Duke Of Edinburgh's Award.

She also left a previous career in international development consulting behind, where she led UK corporate fundraising at Habitat For Humanity.

Written by

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

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