It’s surprising how many people change careers so rapidly. Sometimes, it’s very difficult to find the perfect job role that leaves you satisfied and financially healthy. One day you’ll find it, though, and a career change is a great step towards doing that. There are a few things you need to think about before you dive straight into something different, however. Let’s have a look at a few.
- What Do You Want From A New Role?
So you’ve decided that the previous role wasn’t for you. You might have been stuck in it for too long, or you only ever did it to pay the bills. Now you need to ask yourself what comes next. Have you found a passion that is driving you to make this decision? If that’s the case, then go for it. You might have to start by taking mini-steps and downgrading your salary to get what you want, but it’ll probably be worth it in the long run.
If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, analyse what you enjoyed about your previous role. You can do research online about different occupations and go to career fairs where you can find something that fits your skillset.
- Is It Worth Doing Further Education?
When you’re making a big change in your career, it can sometimes prove difficult to find work straight away. Your resume won’t stand out if you haven’t got the skills that a potential employer is looking for. While you might be able to start out at the bottom as we discussed earlier, it won’t always be an option. Further education might be your ticket to getting what you want.
You need to analyse whether it’s worth the time and cost that you’ll be sacrificing. In some circumstances, you might even be able to take a class in the evenings at your local college. Some employers might be willing to give you a shot if they can see you’re eager to improve your knowledge on your own time. Be sure to mention this at any interviews or informal discussions you may have with a potential employer.
- Will You Be OK Financially?
While it’s great to change your career if you’ve got the luxury of doing it, will you be able to manage your finances successfully? Changing your career might come with previously-mentioned downsides like a decrease in salary. You need to analyse how much you were making previously and see if you’re going to need to cut down on a few expenses. You don’t want to be in a position where you can’t even afford the bills.
If this sort of thing happens, you could talk to a potential employer about it. Be very careful about what you say, but highlight your concerns in a polite and understanding manner. You never know if they’ll offer you more money. This is a risky venture, though; you might lose the opportunity because of it.
Explore all possible avenues before diving into something new. If you still want to pursue a new opportunity, go for it! We only live once, and we should do our best to enjoy what we do for a living.
