Are you telling yourself - "I want to change careers, but I don't know what to do." You're in the right place looking for answers! This post will tell you how to identify the next job for yourself and the things you should keep in mind before going for a new job.
For many generations now, we have been taught to go to school, get good grades, go to college and then get a job that pays. Most of us have followed this path dutifully until the day we realize that we don't even like what we are paid to do.
If you feel this way, understand that it's completely normal to feel this. Only some people know from the start what they want to do, and most of us aren't one of them.
If you're in the phase where you want to change careers but are unsure of what to pursue, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll be exploring the idea of a career change when you're not sure what you want to do.
Are you unsatisfied with your career but don't know what path to take the first step to?
"I Want To Change Careers, But I Don't Know What To Do." Here Are Some Ideas.
J.P. Morgan once said - "The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are."
If there's anything that has helped me get moving and get unstuck in my career, it has been TAKING ACTION. To keep moving and making sure I'm not stuck in the same place for a long time.
If you're confused about your career choices, then know that it's normal to feel this way. Who knew what we thought of as a passion once may turn out to be something we dislike later.
Maybe it's the work you do that doesn't tick your boxes or maybe it is your co-workers. It can also be the sudden realization that you made the wrong career choice when you were 18.
You should have never done engineering just because all your friends were opting for it!
The point is, it's highly unlikely that you know from the beginning what you want to do.
But no matter how long you have travelled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around !
The first step to making the change is understanding that you're capable of it. It is never too late, and it's never easy, so buckle up and give it your best.
Let's get into some ideas about how you can make this transition a smooth one.
Why Do You Want To Change Your Career?
This is the basic question that you should ask yourself when you feel that the job isn't for you.
For most people today, a good career means something they can associate a sense of purpose to and something that makes them genuinely happy. It affects all the areas of your life and is a major, if not the most significant, part of your life.
Find out what you're looking for in your career. Try to understand what drives you, makes you excited and is so good that you'd want to switch careers!
Ask yourself -
Where do I see more growth opportunities in the future?
Where does my personal interest lie?
Do I want to make a social impact with my work?
Am I seeking new challenges and personal growth?
Is the new career aligned with my core values?
Think through these questions and see what answers you come across. If you want some inspiration, check out some real career change journeys.
How To Identify Your Next Career?
This phase is the hardest for career changers to navigate through.
You should take some time to assess yourself in order to find out what career would be the best choice for you. To do this, you can use information from your previous job and assess your likes and dislikes.
For example, some of the things from the previous job that you can ask yourself are:
Did I enjoy the work that I did?
Were my employees supportive/friendly?
Was the main cause of my discomfort my salary?
Was my commute too long?
Did I dislike the work?
After asking yourself these questions, you can get to know yourself better and understand what to do next.
Finding Your What You're Really Good At
It's not unusual to not know what your passion is. Social media, movies, and TV shows have constantly been feeding us to follow our "passion" . What if we don't know what our passion is? Is finding passion a highly over rated phenomenon?
Instead, let's simplify our thought process. To get the next job of your dreams, find out what you REALLY LIKE. Make a list of things that excite you, intrigue you and makes you feel like everyday in DAY 1.
When you do that, ask yourself the following questions.
Can my passion be converted into a marketable skill?
Can I pursue my passion as a full-time career?
Can my passion be pursued as a side-hustle?
What training/courses would I need to make my passion a marketable skill?
After you have asked the mentioned questions, it will become clear to you what path to follow.
We all have different ideas of what we want to do with our lives. Some people want to start a business, others want to take up a new hobby, and some people just don't know what they want. However, if you're in your mid-30s or older and are unhappy with your current career path, there's no reason why you can't change it!
We hope that this article helps you with your career change. If you have any question or comment, please let us know in the comments below.
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