How to Change Your Career Path at Any Age
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It may be daunting trying to change your career path, but lots of people do it. Since COVID-19, many people have chosen to work remotely and leave their profession to follow their dreams. Your passion doesn't have to stay as a hobby. Whether you're part of a family of four working 9 to 5, or a graduate just starting your career, here are 4 steps to kickstart your new career!
1. Choose and research your new career Maybe you already have an idea of what you want to do for a living, or perhaps you know you don't enjoy your current job, but have no idea where to start! If you already have an idea, then you're one step closer to your goal. If you don't, a quick search online about different careers and industries could really help. Did you study finance, but want to go into marketing? What kind of marketing? Where? What are your values? What skills do you need for the job?
2. Transferable and new skills You may need to study to build new skills. Transferable skills are great and most people have them. They're really easy to build and use anywhere without knowing it. Make a list of the skills you have compared with what you need. Sites like Skillshare are great if you want a visual example of what skill you should work on next. You may have most of the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in another field, so how much of that is useful for your new job? Before you start applying, see if there are any courses you should take and how serious your studies need to be. You might need to apply to a university or complete a digital course, or maybe you're self-taught and ready to seize the opportunity!
3. Build your brand Before you start applying for jobs, you need to build yourself as a brand. Who are you? What do you stand for? What's important to you and how can this help the company? You don't want to look like every other person out there, so identify what makes you you. If you're unsure, ask friends or family to help you answer those questions.
Make a LinkedIn account and add resume with a headshot that screams 'this is me'. Connect with recruiters to find out how to apply for jobs and see what hiring managers are looking for. In addition, connect with friends and family, acquaintances, and those who are doing the job you want to do. This is so important because it gives you the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized answers, and a chance to get referrals. You should also post weekly so your followers and connections understand your skills and values.
4. Create your plan and start applying You now have the positive mind-frame and skills to start looking for jobs. Have you worked on your skills, written your achievements on your resume, and uploaded your portfolio onto your own site or career site? Have you followed company pages you'd like to work and connected with people on LinkedIn? Have you truly decided what career is best for you and where you want to apply, who you want to apply for? What websites are you going to apply through?
The most known sites are LinkedIn, Reed, and Indeed. There's also Google jobs that links to different career sites, and many other useful sites. You should have your profile completed with as much relevant detail as possible, but remember that the recruiter needs to see you as a competitive candidate. Hiring agents need to see a confident, prepared and resourceful version of you. Remember to track your progress and don't get deterred if you fail sometimes. Learning comes with mistakes, and it's expected. With that, you're ready to take on your career change!