Are you at a Career Crossroads? Covid-19 has affected us all in many ways, including our careers. For some people, working from home for the last few months has given them time to reflect on their careers. What they like, and also what they don’t like about their job and career. Now is also a great time to ask yourself, where to next? For some people the “next” is the same role in a different company. For others the “next” might be something completely different to what they currently do.
If you are currently at a crossroads in your career, then what do you do about it? With our lives changing so dramatically over the last few months, are you now trying to figure out if your current career is really the right choice for you?
If you find yourself going around in circles, getting more and more confused, try taking a few hours out of your day to sit down and do some self-evaluation. Start by following these 5 steps to help ensure you go down the right “road”.
Step 1
Understand what you like doing and why you like doing it. Get 3 blank pieces of paper and then ask yourself 3 things – who, what and why? Spend a couple of hours doing this, leave it for a while and go back to it. Ask your close friends and family members for ideas. Show them what you have written and see what they can add. Each sheet of paper should list one of the following headings:
1. WHO – Who am I? What are my values, what is important to me? What are my personal attributes?
2. WHAT – What are my skills? What have I achieved in my career? What do my colleagues and friends say are my skills? What are my strengths? What comes naturally to me? What are my career achievements that I am most proud of? What makes me happy? What energises me? What are my transferable skills?
3. WHY – Why should a company employ me? What benefits would I bring if they did?
If you want to really dig deep into your career journey, and create a detailed picture, then a very helpful book on career change and job search is, “What Color is Your Parachute” by Richard N. Bolles.
Step 2
Any career change is made easier by moving in micro steps. What do I mean by this, well you might currently be a Marketing Manager but have aspirations to work in Cloud Computing. How do you do this? By taking micro steps.
Firstly, find out what additional skills you need to work in Cloud computing. What training can you do, identify any technical gaps and explore what they are. Next step, if you are currently working then who can you speak to in your IT department who can tell you more about what working in Cloud Computing involves. Is it possible to gain experience in your current company through some project work?
If this is not an option, then go to your network (LinkedIn is the easiest option for this) Do any of your contacts know people in this field? Can they make an introduction? This is where it can be helpful to conduct informational interviews to gain more insight.
Step 3
What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is a short, focused conversation with other people working in your field of interest. They are never about initially asking for a job, but are about introducing yourself, stating your interests and collecting insider information that will help you advance your job search. Who you approach can make all the difference in hearing back. The more personalised the request for advice the more chance you have of getting a yes to meet up or have an online chat.
How do You Start?
To start with, make a list of companies you would love to work at and of job titles or positions that you would be interested in. Then use LinkedIn to look at people who work for your ideal company and have your dream role. What is their background, what qualifications do they have and how did they get to the position they are in now? It helps to also look for people you have some sort of connection with, for example someone who went to your university or has a shared connection. If you have someone or something in common, then they will be more likely to want to meet with you. LinkedIn is the ideal platform to do this and it is also easier for people to respond to you.
If you are unclear about this, then check out the job boards and see what jobs are popular, what is in demand? Do you have these skills and attributes, are these jobs that interest you? Then ensure your career message clearly tells people this. It is very important that the information you then change or add into your resume and LinkedIn profile, reflects not only your technical skills and ability but also signifies what you are seeing in the job adverts you are applying for.
Step 4
What is Your Story? Ensure you have created you story and know why you want to make a career change, what is it that you find interesting about your new passion, how much do you know about it? As a career changer, invest extra time and effort in crafting your career story to allow others to connect the dots more easily, between what you have done and what you want to do and why. Ensure your resume and Linkedin profile reflect the transferable skills you can bring to your new position.
Step 5
Finally, think about your career change as an expedition not just a day trip. Prepare yourself that changing careers is not an overnight thing but is an exciting journey. As stated earlier, look at taking baby steps each day and week to get towards your end goal. Creating a detailed career plan is a key factor in ensuring career progression or career change. Crossroads can also be a great time to “think outside the square”. The key to achieving the success you want is persistence. Don’t give in, keep on going but make sure you have created a clear plan, that way you know what your end goal is!
If you are 100% committed to career change and make the effort to pursue more meaningful work, the kind of work that energizes, excites, and fulfills you, then you will keep on that journey regardless of how challenging it may be.
If you would benefit from career coaching or job search advice, then contact me today to discuss how I can help you.
