Changing careers

Firstly, let’s start by saying that change is the new normal. Nothing has stayed the same lately, so why should your career?

The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life, and employers expect employees to change jobs about once every three years.

What we’re trying to say is don’t be afraid of changing careers. Millions of people, from millennials to boomers, are doing it. And you could too. Whether that be a dramatic shift in job role or a simple sidestep in the industry, you can start on your new professional path today. Here’s how…

Changing a career to pursue a passion or turn a hobby into a career is admirable. But if you’re thinking of a career change because of frustration, then it could be a good idea to assess whether adjustments in your current work could be beneficial. Perhaps you need to speak to a manager or move company instead. Make sure that you are making the choice for the right reason.

Change can be scary and we, as humans, are hardwired to avoid it. Change pushes us outside our comfort zone, challenging what we know and feel familiar with. But change is a positive thing. Don’t let those anxious, uncertain feelings control what you do. Take charge and start putting a plan into action today.

Coronavirus has put us all through a lot. But it has also offered us an opportunity to take stock and to consider what we truly want. You’ve probably already experienced disruption in your life, so what’s a little more? We may never get a chance like this again, so take the opportunity to jump into a new adventure!

Every year, 3.6 million Australians volunteer – and this is a great way to gain experience relevant to your future career. Find out what it’s like to work in the industry and acquire skills to add to your resume. Voluntary work is also a great way to make connections and build professional relationships.

Employers look favourably on voluntary work since it shows your industrious nature, ability to deal with challenges, confidence and people skills.

GoVolunteer and Seek have thousands of voluntary positions listed so check them out today!

A new job or industry can seem intimidating if you don’t know much about it. But there are many ways to gain relevant knowledge and feel included.

Are you thinking about moving into marketing? Then follow marketing mentors on social media. Or if you want to work in business, subscribe to a relevant magazine or online journal and attend industry events. Or if you’re going to work in design, start looking out for new trends and technologies.

There are thousands of websites and social media channels relating to your new career: you just have to find them.

By absorbing content related to your new industry, you will begin to feel a part of it. You will be familiar with recent trends and popular companies and you will feel more confident as a result.

Go online, read articles and watch videos by people who changed careers. Or speak to people you know who can offer support. Remind yourself that you’re not alone. Thousands of people change careers every year and some of them blog about it!

You also need to look back at what you’ve achieved up until now. Praise yourself for even the smallest successes and think about how you can translate these into new professional endeavours.

Changing careers isn’t easy. In fact, sometimes it’s terrifying. We’re not saying that to put you off. We’re saying that because it’s true. When you feel scared or disheartened, it’s important to reassure yourself that everything will be ok. Because it will! And when you look back, you will likely view the terrifying times as the most exhilarating!

It’s not just about what you know; it’s about who you know. This doesn’t mean you need to schmooze at industry events. Networking can be as simple as talking to a friend or sending a quick message on social media.

Speaking to people about your career plans can feel challenging, especially if you want to talk to someone you’ve never met. But you can do it!

Engage with people at events or speak to people you know who might know others in the industry. You never know what could come of it! You don’t need to push people to offer you a job, but every connection could lead to something in the future.

Another great way to connect with people is to use LinkedIn. If you don’t have an account yet, you can sign up today. It’s free and it’s easy. You can fill your profile with your experience and make yourself visible to employers and recruiters alike. You could also use the platform to reach out to people in companies you admire.

Employers aren’t just interested in your career experience; they’re also interested in you. Having a side project (paid or unpaid) demonstrates that you have passions and interests and that you are self-motivated.

Your side project could be a blog, a house renovation project or a hobby. Not only could a project look great on a CV, but it could also help direct you in your career plans. You may stumble across something that you love to do, develop employable skills or begin a hobby that turns into a full-time career.

Keep your mind active, explore your interests and see where it leads.

Further education is becoming more common nowadays. With technologies and work practices changing at breakneck speed, learning new skills could help you pursue the career of your dreams.

There are countless options for further education, so identify what skills you need first. If you are looking to change careers but stay in the same industry, then online seminars and courses could bridge your skills gap.

If you’re looking to change careers completely, then you can enrol in university or vocational education and training. At Central Australian College, we offer a range of vocational courses specifically designed to help people enter the world of work.

If you have a dream job in mind, then speak to those already working in that role. Drop them an email or connect on social media and see if they would be happy to talk to you.

Speaking to someone doing that job will help you understand what it’s really like and what you have to do to get there. Discover what qualifications and skills are needed, what a typical day looks like and how your current skills are relevant. This realistic insight might also make you realise that you want a slightly different role.

Remember that while talking to people and gaining extra information is fantastic, you have to put it into action. Don’t become stagnant. Continually questioning whether this is the right decision won’t drive change – action will. Once you have collected information, it’s time to decide what to do.

Changing careers is a bold and brilliant move. Don’t look back in a few years and think about what you could have done. Put yourself out there, meet people, explore what work could be and enjoy the process as much as you can. Good luck!