Whether we’d like to admit it or not, starting over in any aspect comes with a load of emotions. We experience some grief and guilt from what was lost, joy for what is to be gained, fear of the uncertainty, and even some relief. Needless to say anytime we are forced or willingly make the choice to pursue something different, we go through an emotion that puts us in a somewhat uncomfortable and unfamiliar place. Just because you desire to evolve and chase new beginnings does not mean it will be easy and effortless.
This will certainly be the case when transitioning to a new job or changing career paths. No matter your age or how long you’ve been in the game, there will always be those thoughts questioning your ability to succeed at anything new. However, this should not be a reason to keep you from considering and taking necessary actions to reach this goal. Being prepared before making any decisions is always a great way to help face some of these thoughts and emotions head on.
Identifying the Risks and Challenges you’ll encounter is the first step when making a life altering decision when it comes to career changes voluntary or involuntary. Being prepared for the inevitable doesn’t mean you lack faith in yourself and abilities, it means that even when the inevitable sneaks in whether you’ve played a part or not, you are capable of supporting yourself and any unfamiliar territory with a little less pressure. Get your house in order. Make sure you’re able to make this change work for you or you and your family financially. Revisit your schedule if you believe this will take a toll on it as well and require some adjusting.
Make New Connections at every chance possible. Speaking with professionals who are actively working in the position you aspire to pursue will provide different perspectives. You’ll be able to weigh the pros with the cons and decide whether your desires remain on that path. There will also be plenty of advantages that come along with finding new friends with the same outlook and profession. Develop real relationships and always be upfront about your intentions.
Attend Networking Events and/or Join Professional Organizations. Work the room(s). Get exposure to people already in your profession for a better change at getting your foot in the door. There are plenty of professional organizations that will allow you to to become a member with little to no experience or allow you to attend events to mingle with those who are. Speaking with individuals at these events will give you a different perspective and teach you the lingo you can use in interviews.
Make a lasting impression with a Compelling Pitch and keep it readily available for anytime an opportunity presents itself. You never know when you’ll come in contact with someone looking to fill a job opening or who has a connection. Use this as practice to perfect for when you get the change to interview. Try it out at your the mixers you attend and ask for feedback.
Research! Know the role inside and out. Make up for the situational knowledge you may not already have especially if this transition is to a new playing field altogether. Spending time learning basic concepts related the career path to use in an interview or during networking, will put you at an advantage and ahead of the competition.
Assess your personal professional marketing material by Updating Your Portfolio – Cover Letters, Resumes, Linked In Profiles. These will set you apart from other applicants and aid the recruiter in deciding whether you are a fit or not. Take the time to paint the picture and tell the story you want them to interpret. Show off a little. Update your portfolio contents with transferrable skills from your current and previous positions and education to reflect what they may be looking for. Include metrics, action oriented words and skills you’ve identified are comparable to those recruiters are in search of when it comes to your desired career change. Demonstrating your success and proof of results can be a hard act to follow.
Lastly, & this is a trio: Be Realistic, Prepare for Rejection & Build Resilience. Your dream job may require a pay cut or working your way up from the bottom. Learn to Be humble. If you are serious about making a change, if this seems to be the way you’ll receive that, then take the opportunity and make the most of it. This could also mean taking something part time or reaching out to staffing agencies for assistance in placement or temporary/contract work. A-lot of great lasting and fulfilling opportunities are born through work where staffing agency placement occurred. I have a-lot of good feedback and exposure through these channels and recommend them to anyone looking to embark on a new journey with not a whole lot of experience or not having much luck with directly applying. Expect to be rejected. You may not receive an offer after your first interview. Don’t give up. Be resilient and keep going by using all interviews as practice. Assess what you think you did well at and what you didn’t combined with the feedback from the interviewer. Make changes and apply in your future interviews.
You are in control of your life. The direction it goes and where you end up all comes down to your efforts and the confidence you have in yourself to make those moves even if it means not being as equipped as someone who has been in the game a little longer than you. Whatever you decide, be willing to do what it takes to reach the end goal. Getting what we want out of life does not come without risk and effort.
There is no such thing as Being Stuck!
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