Are you wondering how to best set yourself up for success with your career change?
A change can feel daunting. But there are things you can do to help ease the transition, so you feel less pressured. Here are my 5 top tips:
1. Choose the right way to change career for you
Are you someone who wants to go all in and make a full career leap? Or would you prefer to take it slower – maybe go part-time or work through it in the evenings (other commitments permitting)?
Going part-time in your current career, while using the rest of the time to work on your new career choice, is often a good way to try things out. Perhaps you could have two part-time roles. Or maybe you’d like to set up your own business or work freelance part of the time. You might even find you like doing both!
Think it through carefully and decide which route is best for you and your circumstances.
2. Use your network
Talk to your friends, connections and people in your network who have changed careers. What did they do? How did they go about it? Who can help or support you?
Who do you know already working in the role, career or industry you want to move into? Talk to them about what is required. What advice can they give you?
Does your current company have a department in the area you want to move into? If so, can you find out from them what it’s like and what’s involved? Who can you speak to?
3. Research training options
Does your new career path require any training or qualifications? If so, consider how best to do this.
Can you fit it around your current role and other commitments? What experience could you get through your current role that would help with the new one? Are there any companies who offer on-the-job training?
If you need to study, check whether there are any flexible programmes, such as online, weekend, evening or part-time study. I studied for my masters degree in the evenings, while working full time. And I attended my coaching course over a series of weekends.
4. Be clear on your wants and why
As well as the role itself, consider the bigger picture. Are the hours, location or commute suitable to you? What development opportunities or size of company/team is important to you and does your new career offer them?
Don’t forget about your financial situation too. Will your new career enable you to sustain your current lifestyle or will you need to make adjustments? Will these be temporary while you re-train or longer term?
Also think about why you want to go into your new career. What will it mean to you? What will it bring you? What are the benefits? What impact will you be able to make? What impact will it have on your life?
These factors all build up to your ‘why’, which is really important to remember as you navigate through a time of change.
5. Be prepared for other changes you may encounter
Consider what other changes or different dynamics you may encounter on your career change journey and what they will mean to you. For example, how do you feel about a change in job status? Or what about a line manager who is younger but more experienced in your new field?
If anything raises concerns, think about how you can prepare yourself for the impact it may have.
As you can see, doing your research is an important factor in preparing for a career change. What other questions might you ask yourself? How else might your life be impacted?
Work with Me:
If you are looking for support with preparing yourself to make your career transition and take that next step contact me to arrange a call to find out if my career change coaching package, or any elements of it, is a good fit for you to help you to put together a plan to move forward on your dream career path.
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this blog. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this blog. Claire Bolsover disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this blog.