Get Advice and Tips on Career Change

10 Self Assessment Questions When Planning for a Career Change

by SandyDsouza January 02, 2018

Are you tired of being in your current industry and working tirelessly to complete those daily targets? It could be because your passion lies somewhere else. Maybe you are inclined for an offbeat career such as a travel blogger. When you are not enjoying, it's an indication that you have selected a wrong career. If the thought of career change is hovering in your mind, and you are unable to take the decision, the best way to declutter those 'Can I, Can I not' thoughts and determine the perfect time is do self-assessment. It's never too late to begin once you have realized that the time to pay attention to the goals hidden somewhere in the corner of heart has come. Ask yourself these questions to do a self-analysis before jumping the ship.

Self Assessment

#01. What is not working for you in current career?

A person gets into an industry due to various reasons - peer/family pressure, convenience, package or prestige, but realizes very late that he or she is not meant for that job. While managers are taking steps to establish cordial relations with employees and develop a positive work environment, an individual who has a career change in mind might not be affected by a pay rise or a double promotion. If you have exhausted all the possibilities and yet find it difficult to concentrate on the present job, then it might be time to go for a change.

#02. Can I fix what is wrong in my current job?

Wait, before taking the plunge. Sometimes it's wiser to understand where the actual problem lies. Does the dissatisfaction exist because you have a difficult boss or there is a feeling of boredom? You might try changing the company or moving your desk to a different department before making a hasty decision. Assess every possibility before stepping into the unknown.

#03. Am I willing to take the risk and explore a new career?

Changing career mid-life could be a big decision as it means starting fresh or from ground zero. Are you willing to risk your current name and fame to venture into a new direction just because that has been your passion since childhood? If the desire to follow a dream that you have cherished since childhood is still alive, it would be the best decision you will ever make. However, if you still doubt about how far you can go in a new career, take more time to remove those negative thoughts to make a firm decision.

#04. Do I have the required skills?

To be successful in any career, you need to first have the skills or expertise in the domain. When you finally decide to change career, understand whether you possess the required traits. While transferable skills can always be a bonus point, knowing what are the prerequisites to be successful in your new career can go a long way in assisting for change. For instance, you always hankered to develop a mobile application that makes placing courier requests easier, but have been stuck up with an accountant job. This would be difficult if you have no idea how to write a single line of code.

#05. Am I willing to go back to school or a course to start afresh?

When the decision to shift gears to a new career is final, you must do everything it takes to make it happen. Learn those skills right from basics and just throw yourself into it. This means you must be fine attending evening classes even if it involves taking diction from experts sitting in a classroom or following online seminars from professionals already in your intended field to get ideas of kick-starting your new career.

#06. Are you being practical and realistic?

Career change is no cakewalk and just following the footsteps of a friend who has reached the apex after changing his field is definitely not a great idea. It's a huge decision and therefore, necessary to understand the pros-cons of the sector you are planning to enter. Try to collect information on what a normal workday would be like, competition, and future prospects in the new field.

#07. Is there a professional development plan in place?

When you are finally going ahead with a career change, it's very important to chalk out an entire outline on how the new career would shape up. Take efforts to create an overall perspective or small milestones that you would like to achieve in a new role. It will give the needed motivation when feeling low.

#08. Do I have sufficient valuable business contacts?

An individual beginning a new phase of life necessarily may not have all the required connections or complete knowledge of the field. Instead of complaining about limited connections, get in touch with people already working in the field to learn from their experience and increase your chances of being successful. Add up more LinkedIn connections or try to get an appointment to discuss your doubts with the concerned people.

#09. Is this career move in sync with my long-term goals?

With the world rapidly becoming tech savvy and individuals posting every small act on social media, the fear of being judged is so high. Realizing your dream late and taking efforts to move in that direction is a big thing and you should accept the fact that good things that add value to your life would take time. If the new career is your life's ultimate goal, then just go for it without giving it a second thought.

#10. Do I have enough savings to cover me?

Before sending that resignation letter, check if you are self-sufficient for a new start and have saved enough to manage in low paycheck. Side-options exist and support may come in different forms, but it's always good to ensure that you will not be a broke and manage to stay afloat till the time you manage to hit a high.

Taking a decision for career change in the mid-life is not easy. However, that shouldn't deter you in experimenting and following your dreams. As George Lucas puts it, 'Dreams are extremely important. You cannot do it unless you imagine it.' In the same way, distancing yourself from a job to follow a career you have always desired is necessary if you don't want regrets in life.

How to Use Your Network for Career Change

by SandyDsouza December 12, 2017

Career change Careers Focus transition

How to Keep Yourself Focused on Career Change

by SandyDsouza November 14, 2017

Changing career in the middle when an apex point has reached can turn anyone's mind shaky. It is natural to face those mind-boggling conversations inside your brain when the question of a livelihood would now depend on something that you have never tried before. Somewhere in the corner of your heart, there is a portrait of life you have always desired. You might be having an extraordinary career, are making the right impacts in professional life and even earning good, but there is this inner voice that doesn't let you sleep every night. The voice could become a distracting factor when there is a sudden realization that the current job is not meant for you, and it's time to pursue what you are passionate about. When it is decided to participate in the career change marathon, follow these building blocks of success to stay focused on the transition.

Focus on Career Change

Plan your career change

A part of Nelson Mandela's quote emphasizes the point, 'Vision without action is just a dream.' The revolutionary leader further says that 'It always seems impossible until it's done.' This stresses on how important it is to brainstorm a few key steps before you get bountiful success in a new career. Know what inspires you, and devise a career plan – what working style you prefer, which companies look best, what skills are essential and what is your future. Have those little milestones set and be patient with the baby steps you are taking on a new path.

Get the ball rolling

The fear of failure often paralyzes a person and can be a great demotivator when one is moving at a snail's pace. Dump such distractions in the bin and mark the calendar with actionable steps. Break these steps into sub-steps if needed and celebrate small victories howsoever insignificant they might seem.

Tell your story to the world

Want to keep the enthusiasm burning? Declare your dreams to the world and you will be now more accountable to prove yourself. For instance, go on a public stage and say where you would be in 10 years from now or just go out in the wild and shout out those desires in front of terrifically powerful waves of an ocean. Talking about goals compels an individual to swing into action and be dedicated to the new aim 24x7. Another way of keeping the inclination alive is writing goals on a piece of paper and sticking it to right where you would probably rest after a hard day. Seeing your goals written in own handwriting has a powerful effect on mind and works in many ways. It makes you feel more responsible, sends direct messages to the brain to achieve them and acts as constant reminders.

Eat, Work, Sleep, Repeat

Too desperate to succeed in your new career? The plan is set, the road is almost ready and when you are just raring to go, are hit by an unanticipated glitch. Heart-broken? Dejected? While unexpected situations or personal crisis could leave anyone disappointed and frustrated, remember those unplanned delays are nothing but postponements. In a way, they could be lessons which give you an opportunity to understand what went wrong and recreate that patch of your action plan. Getting setbacks can boost vigor and can only increase your want to be successful in a new field.

There will be times when self-doubts would be as high as a mountain, and you would wonder whether it was the right decision. There would be days when the productivity is too high and then those when work would be sluggish. Keep calm and believe in yourself, believe in those dreams.

While making a change you will probably come across many challenges, but being focused would ultimately help you to make a successful career change. Dealing with these challenges will make you strong, confident enough to achieve your goals. For those who dare, will fly one day and ultimately, you are always the driver of your own destiny.

Career change Career Coaching Careers Challenges HRM human resource management Transferable Skills transition work

How to Pursue Career Change to Human Resource Management

by SandyDsouza November 02, 2017

It's never too late to jump ship and embark a new career as one must always follow the heart. A career in Human Resource is a safe bet since it deals with the most vital aspects of running a business, which is managing workforce. Career analysts and career counselors have predicted a rise in job opportunities in this field.

Human Resource Management

Have you finally decided to make use of your soft skills, people skills and experience to help others in finding a job? While transitioning from a career where you had gained expertise to an altogether new field is a bold paradigm shift and can make the mind go buzzing with endless questions, going for risk and taking the first step is always important. A human resource manager is entrusted with the responsibility of managing employees in an organization and his or her work may fall under one of the categories namely – handling staff, defining work policies and methods as well as offering employee compensation and benefits. Wondering whether you will be able to manage these responsibilities when there is no relevant experience or degree? While an official degree is an obligation in many companies, there are people who have done exceptionally well without it. If you have planned to make a HR career, taking baby steps in this field while pursuing an online degree course can help you get the hang of duties in this role.

How to make a lateral move in HRM ?

A career in HR comes with an ample opportunity. Start taking additional responsibilities which are different from daily job assignments. Here are a few common ways which you can employ to make a transition into human resource management.

Take on some administration responsibilities

This could be one of the best way to get an idea about how a HR goes managing different duties like payroll system, managing employee relations, providing benefits and solving employee issues. To be successful in a new career, one most show willingness to learn things right from zero.

Add HR professionals to the network

What better way could be to start in this profile than interacting with individuals who have been working in this field and have a substantial experience? Become a part of HR group or community of different organizations until you get some clue about an opportunity. Interacting with people who have already been employed in this sector can help you learn from their experiences. Also, it could head start your new career when a professional is seeking a known employee for a junior position.

Demonstrate your desires

While you are taking time to find the appropriate opportunity, express your wish to work in HR role to the current boss or senior official. Demonstrating abilities to take on new responsibilities can help you get noticed in the office and it might happen that boss would pay heed to requests and give small tasks. Also, you might get a chance to act as a substitute when the HR is unavailable due to certain reasons or when there is enough work pressure in the department.

Become a part of the recruiting team

As this role usually deals interacting with probable candidates and choosing the best, play an active role in deciding which individuals must be recruited. Apart from this, you can be a part of training sessions for HR or enroll in an internship to learn the technicalities of the job.

While getting a career switch in the current company lies completely at the mercy of boss, doing professional certifications and getting affiliated with communities can add weight to your request and justify the decision. Add new skills and HR-related education in your resume be referring HRM resume samples. Following these points will eventually help in making a successful career change.