Afraid of Career Change? Build a Plan & Leap Courageously into Your Future

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ~Socrates

As we come to the end of our series on loving your work, if you know you don’t love what you do, and can’t seem to get the passion back, perhaps you realized it’s time for a change. I know it can be scary to put yourself out there, especially if you’re not sure you have what it takes to change, but you don’t have to be afraid of career change. You just need to build a plan so you can be prepared to put your best foot forward.  

Last week I shared some valuable components that you will want to gain clarity on before considering a career change. No use changing if you don’t know why you’re changing or what you really want. (Missed it? Read it here.) Once you’ve gotten that clarity, you’re ready to build your plan and take a leap into a new career.

Build an understanding of the market.

It’s important to build an understanding of the market you want to work in so you can be prepared to make the leap.

What skills are needed, what skills are lacking? What are the current opportunities in that market, and how can you get yourself there? What are the barriers for new entrants into this career field (such as education, experience or some other factor)? How can you gain those qualifications and experience?

To answer these questions effectively, do some research. Look at job postings for openings related to your desired career path. See if they require certain qualifications and whether there is an employment gap between what’s being advertised on a job posting and your current situation. The employment gap can be solved so don’t let that deter you – but you need to understand the gap, in order to close it.

Build a supportive network.

An essential step in any career transition is to build a supportive network. You might think that networking is a matter of collecting business cards and checking out LinkedIn, but it’s much more than that.

A successful supportive network is built around the relationships you have with people in your life, not just your collection of contacts. To build those relationships and get them to support you, there are several things you can do:

• Introduce yourself to people at events or conferences; don’t be shy! It can feel awkward at first—especially if you’re introverted—but it'll make a difference when it comes time for job searching or interviewing.
• Ask for introductions from friends who know people who do what you want to do. It doesn't have to be someone in your current field; if they know someone else who could help advance your career goals, ask for an introduction!
• Be helpful and generous with others in their careers; if they see you put effort into helping others succeed (and doing so without expecting anything in return), they’ll be more willing to recommend or refer you when opportunities arise.

Build skills and make yourself valuable.

When considering a career change, make a list of the skills you have and think about how they could be used in a new career. Doing this can make transition easier when you know you have something valuable to offer.

Think about what type of work you’re interested in, does it use your existing skills, or would it be a good fit for the ones you want to learn? If there are gaps in your skillset, now is the time to learn or brush up on those areas by taking courses or reading books.

You might also want to consider whether it’s possible to start your transition by taking an extra job (aka “side-gig”) in the field that interests you—even if it means working weekends or nights. The goal is to gain experience and grow your skillset as much as possible before taking the leap completely.  

In addition to giving you an opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience, it allows you to test the water to see if the new career is truly what you want to do. It won’t take long to determine if it’s right for you. Trust me, when you start doing something you love, you won’t be able to curb your excitement and passion. And that will be all the fuel you need to take the big leap!

Build the new and stop fighting the old.

I know this can feel scary and overwhelming. It might even feel like it’d be easier to just stay where you are. But even if it isn’t all that easy, remember that it will be worth it. It’s never too late to change career paths. Whether you’re looking for a better fit with your current path or want something completely different, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. Have the courage to start putting your energy and focus into building the new change you want. Remember your plan, why it matters and keep going!

Need help developing a solid plan for your career change? Schedule a Strategy Session today and let's get your transition started...