How to change your career

Decide why you dislike your current job

What is it that makes you get up in the morning and dread going to work? Is there one specific element? Is it your boss rather than your actual job or do you feel your role is too easy or difficult for you? Before you pack your job in and change careers, you need to determine what you hate about your current job and avoid those aspects when you look for another. Otherwise you could end up in the same position as you are in now. If it is a case of an unpleasant boss, maybe you would enjoy your job if they weren’t there. In that case, maybe a complete career change isn’t for you and a similar position but with different people may be what you need.

Look at your skills

What skills do you have that you could you use to find yourself another job? What are your strengths and weaknesses? You need to be aware of what you can bring to the table and how you could help potential employers. You also need to think about careers you should avoid because they require skill sets you don’t have. Don’t assume that you can only do tasks which you have done in previous jobs. You may have some strengths you haven’t used for a while which could be revived. Think long and hard about every position you have had and go right back to your school days.

Research, research, research

When thinking about making such a big life change be sure to research a new career very carefully. Once you have decided what skills you have and have found a career you would like to pursue, look into what is involved. Do you need any more qualifications? Some jobs require legal checks, such as childcare and positions where you will come into contact with the public. If you are going to go back to studying, you may be entitled to certain government benefits while you take a drop in income.

Be willing to start from scratch

It may be the case that for your chosen career you need to go back to school, literally. Extra qualifications may be required which could be anything from an evening course at your local college to a university degree. You need to be willing to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills or you may have trouble finding work in your favoured field. There are government grants and help out there for people who are going back into education after a break, so always enquire before enrolling anywhere. They are there to make bettering yourself easier.

Plan ahead

Once you have decided to go for it make sure you have a plan of action and stick to it. Work out how long it will take you to acquire any skills you need for your new career, how you will fund your life while studying, childcare provision if needed and what you hope to achieve at the end. Having a well thought out strategy will put you on the road to success. Also have patience and be realistic about your goals. It won’t happen immediately.

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