Second careers are becoming more and more common among workers midway through their work years.Some choose to launch a new career after a lay off while others look for an alternative career that brings more meaning to their life.Some workers start second careers to save for their retirement.Workers may change careers multiple times over the course of their working lives.There are reasons for wanting a new career.It takes the same commitment as a first career to prepare for a new career later in life.
Step 1: You should do a self-assessment of what you want to do.
You need to take an inventory of your values before you can change careers.You should have an idea of what your dream job would be if you were to get it.If money wasn't a factor, what would you do?What is the best work environment for you?Where would you like to live?Do you want to relocate something?
Step 2: Determine your finances.
Changing careers can result in a reduction in pay or benefits.That may not be a deal breaker, but you need to know what you can and can't afford.Do you have enough money in savings to cover your major bills when you make a career change?Determine what your monthly expenses are and how much you can make to cover them.Take the amount of money you spend on entertainment and divide it by how much is needed.Do you want to give up bowling?Do you eat out more than you need to?
Step 3: List what you don't want.
When it comes to making a successful career transition, determining what you aren't willing to tolerate can be just as important.Take a look at work environments that you would like to avoid such as loud places or competitive atmospheres.You don't want to go into sales because you have an interest in marketing.It is an important distinction.
Step 4: Put together a resume.
If you already have the qualifications you need, you may be able to get a job in another career field.Take an objective look at the skills you already have and then clean up and update your resume.If you want to transfer your skills outside of your current career field, you need to review them.Take your experience into account.If you worked closely with other departments or on projects that involved things outside of your traditional responsibilities, you may be able to cite those experiences as qualification.
Step 5: Consider your education.
A college degree or technical training is required for many careers.Educational limitations can make it hard to plan your career, but there are still options.If you have a degree, you should look into other career fields.Determine if your work experience can help you get a job.Do you want to pursue additional education in order to aid in your career change?
Step 6: Take your personality into account.
It's a bad fit for your personality if you're unhappy in your current position.Try to figure out what type of things your personality is suited for.There are many career fields that require regular interaction with coworkers, employees or customers if you enjoy speaking to people.It is important to pursue work that will not take you out of your comfort area often if you are shy.Consider taking a personality test.Many community colleges offer free personality assessments online.You can quantify elements of your personality by taking these tests.
Step 7: What motivates you?
Determining the motivation of people can help you choose a career field.It's a sure way to increase your professional fulfillment if you find a career field that offers the types of motivation you need.Are you driven by money?You can either buy a home or build a better life for your family.An increase in income is one of the most important reasons to look for a career.Are you motivated to help others?The non-profit sector is a good place to start if you want to help others.Are you motivated by something?Many career fields fall into the category of unrecognized heroes and that may not be what you are looking for.There are career paths to pursue if you want a job that gives you a bit of the spotlight.
Step 8: Ask for help.
You are ready to speak to people in the career fields you are interested in once you have decided on what is important to you and what you bring to the table.People who are already working in that field can give valuable insight into what it is like to have the job as well as the best way to get into the field.Ask people who work in the industry you are considering a transition to give you their experiences.If you want to find work in your career field, ask people what qualifications are important.Take people's advice with a grain of salt.They may provide you with a lot of helpful information, but what they say may not be helpful to you in your search for a new career.
Step 9: Your brand needs to be changed.
You will need to adjust your professional brand once you have chosen a career field.Managing people's professional perception of you and your skill sets is what personal branding is all about.If you want to highlight your qualifications that lend themselves to a career path you prefer, you can change your professional social media presence.If you want to change career path, you should change your résumé.
Step 10: You have a new career field.
Most new positions are landed through networking, despite how easy it is to apply for jobs online.Meeting people in your field can lead to job opportunities.You can find professionals in the field you want to pursue by using social media.People are generous with their time.Don't wait until you get a job to try to get to know people in that company.To aid in your job hunt, network with people to get to know them first.
Step 11: Don't be arrogant.
It's possible that you're moving from a higher level of your current career field to a lower one.It can be difficult to accept a reduction in authority.It is advisable to focus on achieving long term success in your new field.Entry level positions give you the chance to learn about a new field.
Step 12: Be willing to try new things.
You should keep an open mind about other opportunities, even if you feel sure about the exact career field or position you want to transition into.You don't know what's around the corner.You should network with people in careers that interest you.You don't know what will come of new relationships.Don't be afraid to take a chance on a position you think could be right for you.