A career change is an even more challenging life transition than changing jobs within the same profession. It’s not enough to update your CV and brush up on your interview skills, as important as these tasks are. Changing careers requires a particular kind of preparation and a willingness to open your mind to new possibilities, meet new people and try new things.
By Nisa Chitakasem
Make time
Looking for a new career in itself is a full-time job.
Clarify what you want
Don’t even start trying to change careers until you’re clear on what you want.
Take a psychometric test
Get a little extra help identifying career areas that are suited to you by doing a few online career personality tests.
Research
Once you have a shortlist of potential new careers, narrow it down by thoroughly researching each career until you find the one for you.
Experiment
Along with research, the best way to find out what a particular profession is really like is to try it out.
Learn new skills
Chances are, if you want a completely new career you’ll need to acquire new skills to get an employer to give you a chance and also to perform well i
Use your network
When it comes to actually finding jobs to apply to within your desired field, your existing contacts can be invaluable mines of help, support and informati
Make new connections
New contacts can be just as useful as old ones, so expand your network by getting out there and meeting new people.
Promote your transferable skills
Make this clear to everyone who stands between you and your new profession: you have skills that can be transferred from your past experien
Get a good career guide
Each and any stage of the career change process can seem both daunting and isolating. It doesn’t have to be like this.