Are you constantly stressed because of work? Does work draw more energy out of you then it’s worth? Do you feel trapped at your current job? Well, guess what? You’re not.
Yes, changing careers can be difficult, but it’s easier than you think and if you’re not happy with your current situation then going through the difficulty of change is a hundred percent worth it.
As someone who has helped many of my clients through the process of changing careers, here are some of the steps I’ve guided them through in order to help them through the process of career change. So read on and like any goal, break it into small manageable steps, so that you can take the leap and take back control of your life– and your happiness.
Make sure to read through, because I saved the best for last.
1. Start by defining success
Whenever my clients have a goal they want to work towards, I want to know exactly what success looks like so that we are both on the same page from the start and our actions our aligned with the desired outcome.
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What am I looking for in a career?
- How much money am I looking to make?
- What do I believe I’m worth based on my abilities? (this is where many people–especially women, vastly under value themselves…)
- What kind of schedule am I willing to work?
- What are my non-negotiables? (i.e. commute time, working remote or hybrid, salary minimum, benefits, etc.)
- What do I like about my current job?
- What do I not like about my current job?
Read until the end for a simple tip on how to value yourself
2. Get to know yourself better
Going for a job that you have almost zero relatable experience and skill-set towards, is just as ineffective as not going for a job that you could do well, because you haven’t credited yourself for your relatable work experience, interest, and current abilities.
So before your search, in order to get to know yourself better and recognize worthwhile opportunities easier, you can start with the following questions to ask yourself:
- What am I interested in that I also have a skill or relatable experience towards?
- What are my accomplishments in my past jobs?
- What do I naturally do well?
- What do I not do well that if I got better at would be worth committing time to better myself at? (i.e. communicating & negotiating, being patient, giving myself credit, and so forth…)
3. Start looking early and often
It’s funny how so many of us instinctively compare ourselves to others on social media without any reason whatsoever, yet when it comes to job searching, we are afraid to look around– or we simply procrastinate.
If you have read to this point in this article, and you’ve been waiting for a sign to take action and start job searching, here it is: Get your ass on Indeed or start browsing Linked In, and other websites for job postings. There are jobs that require your exact skill, that match what you’re looking for, that you may never have even thought of before.
AND here is the other advantage if you start looking while you have a job:
There is less pressure and when it comes to interview time and you can ask for more while having the least amount of risk
Devon James @superselfversion (a quote pulled from my Tik-Tok)
Here are a few actions to get started with early:
- Set 30 minutes daily or twice per week minimum time to search indeed, Linked In, and other job-posting platforms
- Reach out to people in your network (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Linked In) and let them know you are searching
- Update your job profiles, resume, and cover letter
- Turn your notifications on so you are sent jobs you may be interested in to look through
Lastly, when it comes to sending out resumes– your goal is not to impress someone, it’s to impress someone AND get an interview. Don’t send and pray someone sees it– call and follow up or go in person within two days of sending out resumes.
It boggles my mind how many people simply won’t take this step knowing the amount of leverage this step has…
4. Work with a Coach before you interview
The best time to work with a Coach for any goal is from the start, so you don’t delay and follow through more guided and methodically towards your goal. The second best, (for this goal specifically) is before you interview. This can be a huge confidence booster while helping you practice.
A good Coach can help you with every one of these steps, and more, while making sure you stay the course an stay on track and accountable until you reach your goal.
Funny side-note by the way:
I have a friend, who is a great talker and to no surprise, interviews very well. To the point where we have a running joke that he will get any job he wants, no matter his qualifications, then he just has to make it past the 3 month mark before the company realizes they’ve made a terrible mistake in hiring this underqualified, but highly confident prospect…
He’s taken notes of many of the tips in this post– especially this last one–
5. Act as if
I’m not telling you to be a liar as liars tend to get exposed very quickly, I’m saying to act more confident, more qualified, and more sought-after then you are, especially if you tend to doubt and discredit yourself more than you should (which is about 95% of us…)
Ways to Act as if:
- Act as you have multiple offers on the table
- Act as if and Ask for 30% more than what you think your worth (although for the right environment and other benefits, you MAY make considerations otherwise)
- Practice (remember, more than 50% of communication is non-verbal– body-language, voice tone, volume, can all make a difference, especially in a role that involves direct customer service)
If you enjoyed this post and need someone to help you through the difficulty of change, whether it’s for your career, building healthier daily habits, or relationship coaching, feel free to reach out directly to connect, comment, follow, and share otherwise.
After reading my last two articles on career change you are certain you want to change careers, but the feeling of going to work for someone else is not sitting right with you– welcome to my dilemma. For the current and future entrepreneurs, keep a lookout for what’s upcoming on the blog! I think you’re going to like what I got for ya.
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