How to Successfully Change Careers

Making the choice to change careers is a life-changing decision, and if done right, can be the best decision you ever make. No matter how long you’ve been in your current field or how long you’ve been studying this or that major…it’s never too late to switch gears and change careers. But doing so involves more risk than following a traditional, linear career path, so it’s important to do it right.

In this blog post, you’ll share with you expert tips and tricks, so you can change careers confidently and with success.

Explore Different Career Options

If you feel unhappy or unfulfilled in your job, chances are you’ve asked yourself, “how can I change careers?” It’s a good question, but before you jump ship and quit your job, explore different career options. Start by thinking about what you’re passionate about. Our hobbies are usually reflections of our passions, so start there. Maybe your hobby is gaming, fashion, or writing.

Whatever that passion is, explore jobs within that field. This can be as simple as a Google search and talking to people in that field or as drastic as dipping your toe in the water through freelance or volunteer work. You can even browse courses sites like Udemy, A Cloud Guru, and Linux Learning try out the ones that pique your interest.

Career change starts with exploration. The goal of this step is to give you a risk-free outlet to dream big. Use this time to really figure out what you want to do before quitting your job and pursuing that thing.

Go Back to School (if necessary)

Depending on which career path you decide to take, it may require you to go back to school. This is especially true if you want to practice medicine, law, or even some tech fields.

The thought of having to go back to school (or in some cases go to school for the first time) is enough to make people reconsider their decision to switch careers. So, prepare yourself mentally for this. If you’re really passionate about your chosen field and want to succeed, don’t take shortcuts.

Look for colleges in your area or commit to taking online classes to curb the cost. That way you don’t launch your new career with a ton of new debt to pay off.

Get Appropriate Certifications and Licenses

In many cases, getting a 4-year degree isn’t necessary. Some fields only require certifications and/or licenses. Take Real Estate Investing, for instance. You only need to take a few online courses to become a licensed agent in your state.

And like we mentioned above, take advantage of online academies like Udemy, A Cloud Guru, and Linux Learning. These sites are a quick and cost-effective way to advance your skills and get the certifications and licenses you’ll need for your next career.

Revamp Your Resume

As you get close to getting your degree, license, or certification for your chosen career, be sure to update your resume. You may not have the experience in the field you’d like to enter, but everyone has what’s called transferrable skills. Often times, these transferable skills are more important to managers than your training or education. Here are some valuable transferable skills to highlight on your resume: Communication, Complex Problem Solving, Leadership

Look at job descriptions in your chosen career, see what skills are commonly sought after, and add the appropriate ones to your resume. And to make your resume stand out even more, experts suggest showing these skills on your resume instead of just listing them. Think hard numbers and facts. For example, if you managed a successful email campaign, write something like, “Effectively optimized email campaigns and increased ROI by 15%.”

Don’t be Afraid to Apply

You’ve chosen your new career path, got the necessary certification, license or degree, and updated your resume… now what? Now it’s time to apply for a job! This is as daunting as it is exciting, but don’t be afraid to apply.

It’s important to remember to manage your expectations at this point. Don’t expect to land the perfect job at the Fortune 500 company right off that bat. You’ll have to pay your dues just like everyone else but keep those goals in your sights and work hard to get there!

In conclusion

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have been at your job for 10 years, there’s no such thing as “too late” when it comes to starting a new career. You have the power to change your future. Pursue your dream with everything you’ve got and don’t stop until you reach your goal!

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