There's something exciting about starting a new career. Perhaps it's the hope of better things. The excitement of finally doing something different and daring. An escape from a dead-end job or unappreciative boss.
Here are a few things that can serve as a reality check before you jump in.
Note:
You will find that the questions focus more on why you are looking for a new career and not only how to change your career. Being very clear about your change motivation will empower your decision making process and help you stand firm when you start to doubt yourself.
After working through the questions, you may find that perhaps this is not the right time for a career change, or that starting a new career is not the right solution for you.
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN STARTING A NEW CAREER
Why do you want a career change?
Are you changing careers to escape something, or is the change part of your decision making strategy for moving towards something better?
What types of careers most attract you and why?
For example, your criteria might include:
Highest paying careers
Hottest careers
Fun careers
Fastest growing careers
If you don't know, it might help to take an online career test. A typical test usually takes just a few minutes to complete and the results could be enlightening.
What is keeping you from enjoying job or career satisfaction?
Careers and Salary
Not happy with your salary package?
How will you position yourself to ask for a raise at the next performance review?
Would you feel more confident if you could boost your negotiation skills with help from a career advisor?
Stress at work
Would life skills coaching boost your ability to confidently ask for what you need or feel you deserve?
Your life circumstances have changed
Marriage, parenthood and care of aging parents are situations that present new challenges. You may find that you prefer more flexibility and say in the way you work.
Maybe you have had enough of the lawyer career and it's time to look at alternative careers that let you use your law degree in a different, a more creative way.
What can you do today to transform your job and/or work environment so that you would want to continue working?
We tend to forget that we have enormous personal power at our disposal; we always have the power to choose. Even when we think we don't.
If you could find a way to lift the vibe in your workplace, would you stay on in your organization, or would you quit anyway?
For instance, it might be that you love your job, but there are one or two things that make the office feel like a hostile work environment rather than a place of productivity.
It's always worth asking if it makes sense for you to uproot and start over. There is no guarantee your new career will be what you expect or hope.
As one wit puts it, you may find that all that changes is the color of the wall and the color of the carpets.
Quit your job. Enrol in a course that gives you relevant work skills for your next career.
Stay in your current job. Combine work and study.
Pursue a different job within the same industry.
Example
You could be in an operations role but you actually prefer working more directly with people.
Perhaps what you are actually seeking is a new opportunity to use your skills and passions differently.
Consider this. Can you create a career change opportunity for yourself by coaching or mentoring your co-workers in addition to your current duties, and then eventually obtaining a transfer to HR?
Starting a new career may mean starting over in an entry level opportunity or in a position lower than what you are used to. But it could be a great way to explore a new career direction in the safety of a familiar environment, provided you are prepared to embrace a possible change in status and benefits. At least for the time being.
And before you say "it can't be done", have you spoken with a decision maker in your organization and with people who have done exactly what you are trying to do?
You won't get if you don't ask, and you won't know if you don't try.
Starting A New Career In 30 Seconds
When things get rough, it can be tempting to grab the first career change opportunity that comes along. It is possible to fall into your dream career this way, but it doesn't always happen. It may be wiser instead to slow down and do some reality testing before you leap.
Are your experience, skills and qualifications what the industry needs at this time?
Note: Coming from a different profession, you may not have all the skills that an industry veteran has, but you may have transferable skills that your new employer prizes highly.
Who have you spoken with or can you speak to who is able to give you reliable and current information about the industry?
How do you see yourself contributing as a future member of the industry?
Take this fun 30-second Career Choice Test to find out where you stand!
Disclaimer
This exercise is based on our understanding of what a best match of career and individual abilities and strengths looks like. It is not based on any scientific theory or academic research and should form just one part of your personal decision making process.
CAREER CHOICE TEST YOUR FUTURE IN 30 SECONDS
Can you visualize exactly where and how you fit into the organization's bigger picture and how you can add value to your employer and your clients?
When you read business journals and news articles, do ideas for projects and improvements flow to you intuitively and naturally?
Can you picture yourself discussing these ideas and projects with your new boss and presenting them at the next management meeting?
Are you raring for an opportunity to lead a team in implementing these ideas because you can already see in your mind how they would transform your organization into a high-performing one?
If you answered yes, CONGRATULATIONS!
There is a very strong possibility that your new career is a good fit for you.
