Making the decision to change your career can be an extremely stressful one. However, there are things you can do to avoid making the process harder than it has to be. If you’re feeling stuck in your current job, bored, or considering changing careers, here are some tips to help you with the transition.
Play it Smart
Have you ever heard the saying, ‘A failure to plan is a plan to fail’? This small piece of wisdom is great reminder to get your ducks in a row if you’re thinking about making a career change. Before you quit your current job, make sure you are prepared financially. The stress and pressure of not knowing how you’re going to pay your bills is one that can easily be avoided with a little planning. Ideally, you wouldn’t attempt a career change without having something new lined up. The worst decision you could make when it comes to a huge life change is a rash one.
Avoid Perfect
It’s easy to get hung up on what you consider to be a ‘dream job’. Passing up opportunities because they’re not exactly what you want is insanity! Sometimes the best way to find out what your dream job is, is to narrow it down by trying a bunch of things you may not love. Any successful person will tell you that the path to success is not a straight line. It’s okay to make career moves that lead you to different places.
Network
This is one of the most important things you can do in order to further your career. You will be surprised at how many new opportunities come your way as you work to cultivate new relationships. Networking contacts can refer and recommend you for any positions that they may know about. Take advantage of any opportunities to network and be on the lookout for potential mentors as well. If done right, networking can lead to a huge amount of success.
Be Persistent
In an article posted on brazen.com, the author Annie Favreau writes, “Persistence is the number one reason for our success” according to entrepreneur Joe Kraus.” If you have a specific career you want to be in, go after it with everything you can. This could mean expanding your knowledge or expertise by pursuing additional classes, certifications, etc. The point is, if you want something badly enough, you can’t be afraid to do what it takes to get there. With that in mind, don’t set yourself up for failure. Be smart enough to know the difference between a worthwhile pursuit and a waste of time.
Changing careers is a big deal. To leave what you know and start something fresh can be incredibly challenging. However, big risks yield big rewards. Think about where you want to be in the next 5-10 years and adjust your path to fit your vision. You will thank yourself later for moving in a direction that has potential for long term happiness.
