This article was written by one of our amazing contributors! Content may include promotional links.
Ending up on the wrong career path could make you feel unhappy and unfulfilled. Perhaps you originally thought it was the right career path for you, but have since realized it isn’t for you. Or perhaps you’ve ended up going down a career path that you never had any ambition for simply because you needed work at the time.
Whatever the case, it’s never too late to make the switch. You may have to start from the bottom again and it could be a lot of work to get back up, but the positive impact it will have on your mental wellbeing will be worthwhile. To make the career shift happen, here are several steps that you can take.
Gain a knowledge in your new field
Certain career fields may require educating yourself before you can enter them. Getting necessary qualifications could take years in some cases, so you will need to be patient.
To help afford studies, it could be worth trying to work as you study. An online course such as this online MBA program could allow you to do this. This can be studied flexibly around your current work.
By being able to prove that you’re knowledgeable in your new field, you’ll improve you chances of being trusted and hired. It will show employers that despite your previous experience, you still have a keen interest in the trade you’re pursuing.
Network with the right people
By knowing the right people, you may be able to get your foot in the door. Consider any friends or family members that may already work in the industry and see if they may be able to put a kind word in for you. If you don’t know anyone, consider attending networking events or trying to connect to people via LinkedIn. When you have connections, you’re not just another faceless application – If someone recognises you, you’ll stand out from the other applicants.
Consider the size of the leap
Some careers shifts aren’t too much of a jump, while others can be a massive leap. From doctor to journalist is an example of a big leap – the two careers share absolutely nothing in common and making the leap could require a lot more education and training. However, there could be a way to bridge the gap and not make the leap so large such as becoming a medical journalist. Employers are more likely to understand such a leap and you won’t have to put in as much work to convince employers you’re right for the job.
Highlight transferable skills Transferable skills are skills that you can take from one job and apply to another job. Even the most polar opposite jobs are likely to share some skills in common. For instance, both a high school teacher and car salesman use negotiation skills. Locate these transferrable skills and highlight them in your application.