Deciding on a New Career

A career doesn’t have to be for life. Many people, for all sorts of reasons, decide that it’s time to do something different with their working lives.

And it doesn’t have to happen in your 20s. Many people make the big switch in their 40s or 50s. But more about that another time.

Whatever age you are, here are five steps to help set you on the path to a happy new career.

Identify what Motivates You

Before deciding what you’re going to do for a living, you need to work out what you want out of a new career. For some, it’s all about the money, while others want job security.

Others are following a dream or turning a hobby into a profession. Then there are those who want a sense of fulfilment and get a kick out of helping others.

Recognise Your Talents

Everyone has skills and abilities and knowing what you are good at should play an important part when deciding on your next role. Some talents are immediately obvious while others require a bit of thought.

Examples may include soft skills like assertiveness, negotiating or presentation skills. Hard skills, meanwhile, could be speaking a foreign language, bookkeeping or being able to use a specific IT packages.

Try Different Things

It’s ok to have a list of possible career choices – options are always a good thing. But to help you to make an informed decision, it’s not a bad idea to dip your toe in the water.

Volunteering, studying, reading online profiles and making contact with people or organisations relevant to the career you are interested in are all great ways of helping you decide what you want to do.

Decide if Your Career is Achievable

Having dreams is great but it’s important to keep a sense of realism when choosing the next step in your working life. For example, if you’re in your mid 40s the chances of a career in professional football are looking unlikely.

Take a step back and be honest with yourself. If you have any chance of making it in the career you have in mind then go for it. If not, then it’s time to reconsider.

Work Out How to Get There

For some professions, a degree is a must. The only decision to be made is whether full-time study is required or if there are part-time alternatives.

Other career paths are not so straightforward. Sometimes, getting your foot in the door at a suitable organisation is every bit as useful as a qualification. As mentioned above, volunteering can also be a great way of starting out in a particular industry.

Consider Other Factors

Many of these factors will be financial. Will changing careers involving starting in a bottom of the ladder position with a lower salary? Or how will your fund your studies and support yourself and any other dependants.

There are a host of potential sacrifices. If you’re studying and working at the same time, when do you plan to spend time with you other half and your kids? And are you prepared to scale back on you social life and leisure activities?

Surviving the Working Day

Being bored or demotivated at work is a horrible feeling. You’re drained, frustrated and irritable…and it’s only 09:05. You’ve had enough of your job and know that it’s time for a change.

But finding a new job or career takes doesn’t happen overnight. So, while you’re planning your escape, here are some tips to help overcome the monotony of the working day.

Set Small Goals

If routine tasks are dull, try to make them more interesting. Set targets for anything from how many calls you take before your first break, to coming up with a process improvement idea by the end of the day.

Learn Something New

It could be a night class at the local college or an in-house e-learning course. Anything that stimulates you and stretches you mentally can only be a good thing.

Have Something to Look Forward to

Getting through your shift is easier when you have a reason to be excited about the end of the working day. Treat yourself to a takeaway or a nice bottle of wine if you’re staying in. Or, head out to the gym or the cinema.

Use Your Breaks Productively

If you need to switch off do it. However, if you do have any energy, go to the gym, fit in some studying or scour the job pages online. Make use of any free time, rather than wasting it moaning in the canteen.

Take Time Off

Sometimes, all that’s needed is a temporary absence. Take a couple of days (or longer if it’s needed) and switch off completely from all things work related. If you still feel the same about your job after you return, then perhaps it is time to move on.

Stay Positive

Finding a new job isn’t always easy. There may be rejection and disappointment before finally, someone recognises what you have to offer. Should this happen, remember how much you having going for you and that you’ll get your chance eventually.

Talk to Someone

If frustration or unhappiness at work begins to impact on your mental health then tell someone. Sharing your thoughts with a partner, a friend, a colleague or a medical professional is hugely important.

Returning to Job Interviews

Job interviews are nerve racking. Answering questions about yourself in front of one or more people is a daunting prospect for many.

And those butterflies in the tummy can be multiplied when you haven’t been interviewed in years.

Many people go extended periods between interviews for many reasons, including poor health, raising kids or simply spending a long time in one job.

So for anyone who hasn’t been in that position for a while, here are some tips to get you through that first interview:

Learn About the Organisation

Do your homework and find about the company you hope to work for.

Plan your Journey

Work the best route to drive or know your public transport times. And try to have a fall back in case of delays.

Remember Who to Ask for

The contact name should be on the letter or email inviting you to interview. To a copy with you if you need to.

Know What’s Involved

Do you only need to go through one interview? Or is there a presentation or an assessment centre? Again, being prepared helps.

Have Prepared Answers

Try to anticipate the type of questions you’ll be asked and have a set of answers that you can go to. This is particularly useful when it comes to competency based interviews.

Smile and be Confident

On the big day, give a good first impression and remember that you were invited to interview because of a good application form or CV. The interviewer wants you to perform well.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Once you’re in the interview room, don’t be afraid to take off your coat or jacket if it helps cool you down. And, if offered a glass of water, take it.

Nobody Has a Perfect Interview

Take time to think about the questions before answering. If you stumble don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to make up for it.

Ask Questions

Relevant questions about the role can show how keen you are and perhaps even demonstrate your knowledge – while helping you find out about anything not covered in the interview.

Transform Your Career in 2020

Many New Year’s resolutions involve jobs or careers. While some aim to find work, others will want to change employer or move towards the career of their dreams.

As we say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020, there are numerous ways to improve your career prospects and make yourself more desirable to prospective employers. Here are some suggestions:

Study

While a university degree is a welcome addition to any CV, there are shorter less expensive modes of study.

In some cases, a short online course or a professional qualification can be every bit as effective, depending on the line of work.

Secondment

Ready for a new challenge but reluctant to let go of your current job? A secondment could be the answer. Many large organisations require people in short-term roles for reasons including maternity cover, specific projects or pilots.

So, you gain an insight into a possible new field with the security of your own job to fall back on, should things not turn out as planned.

Volunteer

It can be difficult to make a career switch when you don’t have any relevant experience of the industry where you see your future.

Offering your services to a charity or other good cause can be a massive ‘win-win’. You take your first steps in the profession of your choice and feel good at the same time.

Go for Promotion

How many times have you looked up from your desk at your line manager and thought, ‘I could do that job…easy’?

Next time the opportunity arises, put your money where your mouth is. Whether it’s a first supervisory post or a move up to senior management, taking the next step on the ladder can be a massive boost to your confidence, level of responsibility…and salary.

Speak Up

In an ideal organisation, the people who get ahead are those who keep their heads down and quietly go about their business. But real life isn’t like that.

Sometimes you have to raise your voice to tell the world (or the people you work for) what you have to offer. If you want promotion, a sideways move or additional duties, use appraisals, feedback sessions, networking events and any other opportunity to tell management what you want.