Do you remember what your younger self wanted to be when he/she grew up? Maybe you dreamed of being an astronaut, a doctor, or the president of the United States.
Whatever your career path was then, chances are, you’ve since changed your mind. Or, maybe you stuck with the career that 5-year-old you wanted to pursue, but you’re starting to think it’s time for something new.
Good news: it’s never too late to undergo a career pivot!
Whether you’ve been in the same industry for more than 10 years or you’ve been bouncing your way around the professional world, you deserve to find the perfect fit. You should be going to work excited to do what you do and eager to accomplish your goals with like-minded individuals. You should feel valued, challenged, and most importantly, passionate.
If not, it’s time to move on.
Here’s the 7-step guide you need to follow in order to carve a new professional path.
1. Write Down All the Things You Like
It’s one thing to realize it’s time for a change and another to determine what that change should be. Maybe you have an idea of what you’d like to do, or maybe you have no clue. Wherever you are on this spectrum, take out a piece of paper and start writing down all the things you like to do.
Don’t limit yourself to traditional work tasks, either.
Go beyond things like managing and being creative and consider what you’re really passionate about. Explore the thought of working in other industries and imagine what your dream job looks like at this point in time.
You should have a long list after this exercise, and it will probably appear like it’s all over the place at first glance. That’s the point. You want to use this as a time to explore every single option of what may interest you and what’s available to you regardless of the job you have now.
2. Write Down What You’re Good At
After you’ve written down what you like, start writing what you’re good at. This is when you need to be more specific. You should focus on the skills you already have an intermediate-advanced grasp of.
Keep in mind that many skills are transferable, so although the things on this list will probably be similar to what you’re doing now, they shouldn’t put you in a box.
3. See What Kind of Opportunities Are Available
Speaking of not getting put in a box, how much research on other jobs have you done so far? This is crucial to your successful career pivot.
You should know with full certainty that the next job you start is the ideal job for you. You don’t want to end up looking to make another big change one or two years down the line, and the best way to prevent that is to explore where your current skills may be a good fit.
Who knows, maybe your experience in retail operations makes you a great candidate to run a fast-paced financial firm. Maybe your deep understanding of music means you have what it takes to be a performing arts professor rather than a performing artist. Or, perhaps your time as the receptionist at a doctor’s office could be leading you to complete pharm tech programs online.
These are just a few examples of how different industries and positions are more similar than you may think. You just have to look at them in a new light.
4. Identify the Skills You Need to Build
Although you may be more qualified than you think to make a career change, you should still take the time to build more skills. Think about what your new job will mostly entail, and figure out what you can do right now to build the skills you need.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go back to school. That works well for some people, but others may be able to get their foot in the door as an apprentice, intern, or even a volunteer.
Whatever you do, though, the point is to learn as much as you can. Soak in all the information available to you once you decide how you plan to gain new skills.
5. Make New Connections
In addition to a new set of skills, you should also be making new friends.
Go to networking events and conferences that focus on the industry you’re trying to get into. Email professional who are in positions similar to the one you’re aiming for and ask them to grab a cup of coffee.
You’ll be surprised to see just how many people are willing to help you out. But, you won’t know until you reach out and get the career pivot conversation going.
6. Edit Your Resume
The next step in completing your career change is to fix up your resume.
This is both in terms of context and aesthetics.
If you’re looking to get into a creative field, the look of your resume should reflect that. If you want to enter the world of finance or IT, though, something more straightforward is the better choice.
More importantly, you need to make sure the most relevant skills stand out. Think of this resume as a completely separate professional overview than the resume you already have. Remember, you’re catering it to a completely different audience.
7. Master the Art of Interviewing
Once you get invited to interview, it’s time to seel the deal.
Try practicing your interviews with another person before you pick up the phone or go into a meeting. Research specifics about the company you’re interviewing for, too. Get to know their brand and figure out what’s going to make you stand out amongst other candidates.
A good handshake, a sharp outfit, and a bit of know-how will only get you so far. It’s the personal, memorable interaction you have that significantly increases your chances of getting the new job you want.
Is a Career Pivot Right for You?
Here’s something to think about: maybe you need a new job in a similar role rather than a career pivot altogether. Maybe it’s not that what you do is wrong with your career right now, but who you do it for.
If that’s the case, focus your job hunt on the right company culture rather than on a completely different kind of job. While you’re in between where your professional life is now and where you’d like to be, use these money-making tips to get by.
