If you are one of the thousands of unemployed job seekers who are frustrated sending out resumes with no calls or offers, you may consider changing careers altogether. If you are in an industry that will have a long recovery, you may be able to restructure your past experience, skills and educational background in such a way that would make you marketable in a related or different industry.
Changing careers comes with some risks. It is an investment in time and money and takes a lot of confidence. If you are going far afield from your current work history and education, you may have to start at the bottom of the ladder with fewer benefits and a lower salary. You may have to go back to school to pick up training and education to fill in the gaps.
Pursuing a new career in a field merely because it is on some list of the highest paying jobs can be a big mistake. Second careers succeed in large part because the person is finally doing something they really love. They are willing to sacrifice where necessary to gain job satisfaction and the opportunity to follow their passion. Here are some things to consider before you decide to reinvent yourself and your career goals:
1. Do you have what it takes to be successful in your new career? A love of travel won’t guarantee success as a travel writer. If you can’t tell the difference between a flat and Phillips head screw driver, it probably isn’t a good idea chuck it all and start your own remodeling business. Do your research and find out what it takes to be successful in a certain job or career.
2. Make two lists. The first is “things that you would do even if you didn’t get paid for it.” These are things that are your passions. Next, make a list of your strengths, talents, expertise, skills. Be honest. Then, compare the lists. Does your second list correlate to your career wish list? Which one matches the best?
3. Now, make a list of your “must haves” --your earnings requirements, benefits, work hours, work schedule and work environment. What about travel? What kind of lifestyle do you want to have and still pursue your career? What about your family’s needs? Do some research into your new career’s salary levels, benefits, and see how they match up.
4. Examine your financial situation. Nothing will burst the career-change bubble faster than not having enough resources to make it to your goal without going into debt.
5. Honestly assess your risk tolerance. What can you do to minimize the risk? Having an employer that is interested in hiring you when you meet their requirements can take away some of the anxiety. Gaining some experience in your new field can help build confidence, whether as a freelancer or leadership in a professional organization in that field.
6. Get professional help to rewrite your resume with a slant to your new career. You can do this immediately if you are making a slight realignment in a related field or a different job in the same industry. A good career transition consultant can help you discover skills and experience you already have that can qualify you for your career change. If your change is more far afield, the consultant can help to identify the gaps and formulate an action plan to get fill those gaps with a reasonable timetable.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a freelance writer, blogger, and consultant. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in "Training" magazine, "Training & Development" magazine, "Supervision," "Pulse" and "The Savannah Morning News." You can read her blogs at www.skirt.com/savannahchick, www.workingsmartworks.blogspot.com/ and on the web at www.mjnhconsulting.com.
Changing careers comes with some risks. It is an investment in time and money and takes a lot of confidence. If you are going far afield from your current work history and education, you may have to start at the bottom of the ladder with fewer benefits and a lower salary. You may have to go back to school to pick up training and education to fill in the gaps.
Pursuing a new career in a field merely because it is on some list of the highest paying jobs can be a big mistake. Second careers succeed in large part because the person is finally doing something they really love. They are willing to sacrifice where necessary to gain job satisfaction and the opportunity to follow their passion. Here are some things to consider before you decide to reinvent yourself and your career goals:
1. Do you have what it takes to be successful in your new career? A love of travel won’t guarantee success as a travel writer. If you can’t tell the difference between a flat and Phillips head screw driver, it probably isn’t a good idea chuck it all and start your own remodeling business. Do your research and find out what it takes to be successful in a certain job or career.
2. Make two lists. The first is “things that you would do even if you didn’t get paid for it.” These are things that are your passions. Next, make a list of your strengths, talents, expertise, skills. Be honest. Then, compare the lists. Does your second list correlate to your career wish list? Which one matches the best?
3. Now, make a list of your “must haves” --your earnings requirements, benefits, work hours, work schedule and work environment. What about travel? What kind of lifestyle do you want to have and still pursue your career? What about your family’s needs? Do some research into your new career’s salary levels, benefits, and see how they match up.
4. Examine your financial situation. Nothing will burst the career-change bubble faster than not having enough resources to make it to your goal without going into debt.
5. Honestly assess your risk tolerance. What can you do to minimize the risk? Having an employer that is interested in hiring you when you meet their requirements can take away some of the anxiety. Gaining some experience in your new field can help build confidence, whether as a freelancer or leadership in a professional organization in that field.
6. Get professional help to rewrite your resume with a slant to your new career. You can do this immediately if you are making a slight realignment in a related field or a different job in the same industry. A good career transition consultant can help you discover skills and experience you already have that can qualify you for your career change. If your change is more far afield, the consultant can help to identify the gaps and formulate an action plan to get fill those gaps with a reasonable timetable.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a freelance writer, blogger, and consultant. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in "Training" magazine, "Training & Development" magazine, "Supervision," "Pulse" and "The Savannah Morning News." You can read her blogs at www.skirt.com/savannahchick, www.workingsmartworks.blogspot.com/ and on the web at www.mjnhconsulting.com.
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