Making a change in career can be a life changing move but it doesn’t come without sacrifice.
You need to ensure you are doing it for the right reasons and that you are ready to work hard and make a success of it.
Below are a few critical things to consider when making the jump.
Proceed for the Right Reasons
Ensure that you are looking to make the move because you are drawn to a new career choice by interest and enthusiasm for the sector instead of being pushed off by the negatives aspects of your present job.
When you are unhappy in your project it’s easy to presume that a career change will address all of your problems, and perhaps it will… however, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Have a look at the facets of your job which make you sad; if they’re things like long hours, lack of progression, low pay etc. then perhaps a conversation with your boss or even change of company in exactly the exact same sector are more likely to address your issues than a career shift.
But in the event that you know that even a pay rise or rise in duties still will not make you happy in your present field– then perhaps now is the time to make the shift.
Do Your Research
It is very simple to get enthusiastic about a career movement predicated on a whim or idyllic understanding of an industry.
For example, you may watch the movie Wolf of Wall Street and become enticed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of this champagne Stock-Broker life style… but upon sin on the livelihood you will quickly learn about a few of the important and marginally less-appealing facets of the project, the film doesn’t touch upon, such as demanding exams, hard work, long hours etc..
So don’t go in blind… Scour the internet for articles, participate in forum discussions, purchase industry publications, speak to people who already work in the area — do all you can to get a well-rounded view of your new possible work lifetime, taking into account both the positive and negative aspects.
A fantastic way to have a real feel for the job is to reach out to small & medium sized businesses and provide some voluntary part time assistance. It’s a win-win situation; the company gets some free aid and you get valuable experience and business contacts.
Know It’ll Be Tough
Making a career change isn’t a simple move for two main reasons.
Primarily you probably have little if any professional knowledge within the specialty that you’re looking to go into.
Secondly you most likely have a reasonable quantity of expertise in your current field.
Both of these factors are incredibly off-putting to both recruiters and employers. To put it quite simply; if a Doctor with 10 years GP expertise applies for a job as a Baker; the Bakery is unlikely to be interested.
The health care provider may be an intelligent and hard-working candidate however the employer will say”he’s a Doctor, not a baker”and then will shortlist candidates with baking experience.
That means you must know that you are up against this mentality and be ready for a long search with a great deal of rejection to come before attaining your objective.
On account of your experience, you’ll also come face to face with lots of enticing offers from amateurs in your current industry, who will be keen for you to interview in the sector you’re trying to escape.
So how do you fight all of this?
Tailor your CV for your industry — To compensate for your lack of expertise, ensure your transferable skills are notable and you clearly describe your enthusiasm for entering your new career path on very top of your CV.
Make follow up calls Your CV won’t be on top of all recruiters/employers lists so ensure you put in follow up calls to get your personality across and build good relationships.
Get some voluntary expertise — This has already been mentioned in the guide but it’s extremely important, therefore reach out into a small/medium companies and extend your services. No One Likes to work for nothing but the experience you gain will be priceless and you can highlight it at the top of your CV to catch recruiters’ eyes
Be Ready to Take a Step Back
If you’ve got a few years of experience in your current role, then you will likely be getting a salary and level of responsibility that reflects that.
You can not expect to move into a new area, in which you have little if any expertise, with the goal of keeping your current salary and standing.
Realistically you’ll be moving into a near entry level occupation so make sure you can afford to take a pay cut while you work your way back up the ladder.
This may may even mean putting some money away beforehand and cutting back on some luxuries, so be prepared.
Bear in Mind the End Objective
During what’s very likely to be a hard and lengthy job search, never eliminate sight of their end goal.
It’s very easy to get disheartened and toss in the towel when faced with multiple rejections along with a seemingly impossible challenge.
But keep in mind that your doing this to become happier and more fulfilled in your job and ultimately in your life.
Discuss your move with friends and family regularly and pick up as much support as you can along the way. Set the work in and make Nonprofit jobs happen for yourself.
Great luck!