Use This Checklist to Determine If You Are Ready for a Career Change
Living in a pandemic for more than a year has put everything – including our careers – for the future. While some may be considering a career change because they realized they would rather spend their time doing something else, for the approximately 114 million people worldwide who lost their jobs in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 or isolation, this could to be more a matter of necessity. In any case, according to estimates of Microsoft Work Lab laboratory , almost half of employees (46%) are planning a career transition or turnaround.
But there is a difference between deciding on a career change in a general sense and taking action to make it happen. To make this process smoother, FlexJobs has created a Career Change Checklist to help you decide on your next step. Here’s what you need to know.
Do you really want to change careers or just hate your job?
Anyone who has had a terrible job or a boss understands the tremendous impact it can have on other aspects of your life. But just because you’re not the right fit for a particular role or a particular company doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be happier in a whole new career.
On the other hand, maybe you got a job when you were younger – thinking it would be a temporary thing – and then suddenly 15 years passed, and without realizing it, you stumbled upon a career you never chose. While it may be tempting to start looking for a job right away, it can be helpful to take one step back and assess whether a career change is the best option.
Control List
This is the first of a three-part FlexJobs Career Change Checklist to help you determine if the change will actually benefit you, and if so, which fields might work best:
- Evaluate and define your reasons for changing careers .
- Determine if your intended career fits your lifestyle, and if not, what may need to be changed .
- Take any assessments that help you learn more about your goals.
- Reach out to people in your circles (family, friends, and professionals) to find people who are doing the work you are interested in and ask for their advice and advice.
- Consider working with a professional coach or career counselor.
- Create a schedule and game plan for yourself to stay on track on your career path.
- Decide what type of flexibility you want and how you will incorporate it into your job search.
- Analyze your current skills and experience to find skills that can be transferred .
- Think about the soft skills you have that you can use in your new career.
- Come up with a career change strategy in your resume , cover letter, and interviews.
- Identify opportunities you can take to gain more skills and experience in your new field, such as volunteering .
The next two sections of the checklist are all about actually looking for a job, and they’re ready for you if / when you’re ready to take the next step.