Take Control Of Your Career

Midlife Career Change states that only 1 in 10 people are pursuing their dream career

. However, success awaits those who find passion in their work. Heres how you can tell if it is time to consider a career change: if you have lost considerable interest in your job; you feel stuck in your current industry, and you have lost interest in your current career. Or, if you have found a new line of work or industry that interests you enough to follow a new path.

Ask yourself two questions: Why the Career Change? and What do you want to achieve? Reasons behind changing careers vary from person to person, but it is important to ensure that career changes are justifiable and strongly backed by either interest, knowledge or an enhancement in skills set.

Do you have a short term and long term career plan? If not, stop now and initiate one. Most often this exercise gives clarity and helps you choose the path to obtain your long term objective. It is essential that you formulate an effective plan that takes into account every aspect of the transition. As a career-changer, it is necessary to work on the knowledge base gap that the new career may reveal. Some fields require specific education or skills, such as a degree or specific training.

Assess your interests and then compare these with a profile of your skills. There are multiple assessment options available, including online tests. Once you have narrowed down your list, research the type of career that is closest to your interests. Talk to people involved in the career in question. Networking abilities will go a long way in bringing about a smooth career transition. Contacts may give you job offers, offer advice or introduce you to people already on the career path that you want to change to.

Re-design your CV. It is important to have a carefully compiled list of references while changing careers because your work experience in the new field may be almost negligible. References are effective tools for new employers to affirm your skills. Emphasis should be placed on the transferable skills above all else. Transferable skills are an important part of career change, because these do not require additional training. Such skills include: communication skills, inter-personal skills, leadership, creative thinking, conflict resolution and computer literacy among others. Identify these transferable skills; the larger the number those are transferable, the easier will be the transition.

A career change typically means that you need to start at the same, if not lower level than your current career level. This is attributed to the change in industry and relevant experience. Be flexible. Prepare for massive changes. It is not easy to turn your back upon stable pay. Be sure that you keep your goals as realistic as possible and choose the right organisation.

Some career skills can be acquired by volunteering or doing an internship. These part-time options can greatly assist in the career transition, as these gradually induct you into the career stream of your choice.

In a rocky economic climate like ours, changing careers might seem too risky an option for some. This however, might also be the perfect time to explore newer opportunities in the job market.

The career transition is a slow process, so patience is an essential component. This transition decision requires one to take major risks with the utmost confidence. It is therefore necessary to pace oneself and to be well prepared for the waves of change that are to come your way. Remember that you control your career, and not the other way around.

by: Careertunity

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