Know that you don’t have to stick with the same career forever. You may have enjoyed it once upon a time, but if you’re beginning to feel that you’ve done all you can, or you simply dislike what you do, it might be time to consider switching your career. This is a common practice, especially among those who thrive on change and novelty. Choosing to do different things can broaden your intellect and keep life interesting. That said, jumping into a new career isn’t always possible or wise. Let’s take a look at several tips that could make the process easier and more successful.
Take Things Slowly
We all have those days when we wish we could quit and do something completely different for a living. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s the best course of action. A bad few days or weeks doesn’t mean that your career is dying or not worth your effort and time. I recommend taking things slowly and certainly avoiding burning bridges. Let your idea and dream of change build over time. This is the perfect time to research your options and gather important facts before you do anything concrete. After all, you don’t want to make a mistake that leads down the same path of discontentment and yearning for something different.
Build Your Qualifications
Some of your existing experience and skills may be useful when it comes to a new career. But you’ll likely need to freshen up your resume and carefully consider what you have to offer. Do also remember that your career shift could require education and experience that you don’t have. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will need a new degree, but you’ll likely need to get at least some qualifications under your belt. While you’re making the transition, consider volunteering or taking an internship with a company willing to train and educate you. Once you have your new qualifications, you can search for the next step. If you want to work in medicine, that could be finding the ideal open radiology residency positions, for example.
Get Some Help
Because your last interview might have been years or even decades ago, getting help with your resume and interview skills could be a wise choice. This is especially true if you’re trying to enter an industry that is competitive and difficult to break into. While it’s possible to successfully apply for a job in a new industry, doing it on your own could be difficult. In this day and age, there’s plenty of free help available online. If it’s in your budget, you could also hire a career coach or talk to an agency. If you’re serious about bringing your A-game to an interview, consider working with a company like Prepmatter. It’s much easier to put together an expert application when you’re working with people who know what they’re doing. At the bare minimum, have someone else look over your resume, checking for errors and inconsistencies.
Find a Mentor
There’s a lot of value in speaking with someone who is already working in your industry of choice. If they’ve been in the industry for a long time, they may also agree to mentor you. Who knows, you might even land a job in the process. At the very least, they can give you an idea of what to expect.