Maybe you’ve thought about it for a while. Maybe it was sprung on you as a necessity. Either way, a career change can be intimidating, daunting, and confusing. But we’re hoping to help you to also look at it as exciting — a chance for a clean slate. It’s a jump off a cliff, but if you do your homework, take a deep breath, hold your nose, and have faith, you can end up feeling exhilarated and as though you’ve conquered the world. Here are 5 tips to help you decide the next steps, where to focus, and what to investigate?
Create a Timeline: Don’t expect so much from yourself that you can’t deliver, and end up getting disappointed. Make a plan that spells out interim milestones, expectations, and a list of contacts. Little by little, if you follow your plan, you’ll be amazed at the progress you can make overall. Don’t forget that small steps eventually lead you to your destination and this holds true when looking for a change in career.
Look to the Past: What has given you joy throughout your life? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to be a writer, teach art, coach tennis, or help people with their taxes. Re-visit those things that you loved before your current career led you on a different path. There is strength in doing something that you have always been passionate about before the pressure of earning a living got in the way.
Imagine the Future: If you wanted a career change five years ago, and followed through – you would already be five years into your new job. Imagine yourself five years from now – you very well could be saying, “Thank goodness I did it when I did.” There is no better time than the present to make changes. You’ll be surprised how fast the time goes and in no time you’ll find yourself closer to where you truly want to be.
Make a Financial Plan: When you change careers you might need to supplement your income while you’re learning new skills. Nothing can kill your dreams quicker than the financial realities of just living every day. If you need to, get a second job, and cut back on buying items that you can do without. Stash some money away to get you through the transition period of learning and looking.
Ask for Help: Deciding that you want to change careers can feel overwhelming and frightening. But you don’t have to go it alone. Get a mentor, find a support network, volunteer, use the library, do what you can do to get input from others who have been there or who can help you make that change.
Check out our Career Center for information on workshops that could prove valuable to you in your search for a new career.
We’re here to help. Contact us. MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center 508-771-JOBS (5627)
