If you’re considering a career change, That’s Good HR can help you navigate the journey. Let’s look at how you can make a difference in your professional life by changing careers.
First, you’re not alone in wanting to do something different. As a matter of fact, a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that people held an average of 12.4 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54. The old school model of landing a job as a young adult and staying there until you can retire with a comfortable pension has been replaced with one where people move into different jobs and careers for many reasons, including:
· Stressful work conditions
· Few opportunities for advancement
· Salary concerns
· A need for a change
If you’re reading this, you may be wondering how you can change your career. Remember, you do not have to tackle every challenge alone. Let’s look at how you can make a change in your professional life and how the staff at That’s Good HR can assist you.
5 Steps to a Career Change
Make a list.
There’s no need to be fancy. Just start writing down your thoughts. What are your strengths and weaknesses? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Don’t worry if it sounds outlandish. Nobody will be grading this. Instead, try to get your brain around your passion. Are you still stumped? Check out some online assessment tools, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the 123 Career Aptitude Test.
Do your research.
Pick out a couple of career options and dig deep to find out what type of training and experience you might need. Your local library may be able to help gather background information and identify local educational opportunities. Remember, you’re not making any commitments here. This is your time to explore what’s out there and decide if it’s worth your investment of time and, perhaps, money. Are you concerned that a new degree is going to take you 10 years, and you’ll be 10 years older when you finally graduate? How much older are you going to be in 10 years if you don’t pursue that degree? (Hint — the number is the same.)
Find your network.
Networking is an important professional skill, whether you’re looking for a new career or staying put in your current one. You may already have a network of coworkers and colleagues who may have leads on what you need to do to make your career change dream come true. But now is the time to expand that network. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you notice one of your connections on LinkedIn has a connection to the industry you’re exploring, reach out for an introduction.
Be realistic with career change dreams.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed about being an opera singer, even though your singing skills are best left to singing alone in your car. Fortunately, living out your dream career doesn’t have to look exactly like your initial vision. For every person on stage, there must be an audience. For every star of the show, there must be a support staff. You may never belt out arias to an adoring crowd, but you may enjoy the passion of working for a performing arts center’s front office. Keep in mind that the path to a new career may be a multi-step one, rather than one giant leap. That’s one of the many reasons why we like to encourage people to check out temporary positions. These short stints can give you a taste of a different industry and help you develop valuable connections.
Talk to the right staffing firm.
Staffing firms can help you land a new job, but make sure you’re working with a staffing firm that is focused on you, not on filling open spots with warm bodies. When you work with a staffing firm like That’s Good HR, you’re talking to people who care about your career goals. Our talented recruiting staff takes the time to get to know you and your needs, and we’ll tell you if we think we can help you make your career change dreams come true. After more than 20 years of working in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, we may know of other options you can pursue in your quest to find a new career.
What are you waiting for? If you’re ready for a career change, consider reaching out to That’s Good HR now. Submit your resume and let’s talk about what’s next for your continuing professional life.