Making the leap into a new career can be exhilarating. It can also be intimidating and overwhelming – especially if you’ve been in your current role for some time or you are thinking about making a major change to something you’ve never done before. Whether you are entering a new industry, looking to develop new skills, preparing to interview for a field in which you aren’t experienced or just weighing your options, it can be helpful to know how to get the ball rolling. Here are a few tips to get you on the right track.
Evaluate your current situation.
You can’t get to point B until you know where point A is. If you’re not entirely sure of what direction you want to go career-wise, your first step should be analyzing your current situation to assess strengths, interests, values and marketable skills. What projects have you done in the past that have been successful? Which elements of your current job do you enjoy the most? What are your passions and long-term goals? Determining this can help you figure out what type of new career would be a good fit.
Prepare yourself.
If your goal is to enter an industry or niche in which you have never worked before, the next step would be to start preparing yourself for that transition. Depending on the role you are targeting, this may mean doing some research or brushing up on a particular set of skills. Or, it may require investing in some additional formal education or training to help you develop a whole new skillset. The more work you put into this preparation, the better position you’ll be in once you begin sending out those resumes.
Start small.
Switching careers is no minor feat. Starting small and working your way up can make for an easier, less stressful transition. Consider taking on a side gig or internship in a role that’s similar to the one you’re targeting. This will allow you to dip your toes in the water, gain relevant skills and experience and get a foot in the door of the industry you’re looking to enter.
Make connections.
Another helpful way to enter a new career path is to start making connections with others who are already in that field. There are plenty of ways you can do this. For instance, you might consider joining a network of like-minded professionals or reaching out to individuals whose career path you admire. It could even be as simple as joining a Twitter chat that’s hosted by an influencer or organization you’re interested in connecting with. These relationships just might lead you to the job of your dreams.
Enlist help.
You don’t have to travel the career-change journey by yourself. In fact, there are lots of resources out there that can help you map out your strategy. Take Betts Recruiting, for example. Our recruiters are experts in assisting candidates through the career change process. Whether it’s assessing your skills and helping you choose the right role or industry, or matching you with available job opportunities, we can help make the entire experience much less intimidating.
If you’re ready to make that move, but are still unsure about what your next step should be, we encourage you to get in touch. That’s what we’re here for!