There are people who hate change, there are those who fear it and there are others who embrace change wholeheartedly. However, many people whether they like change or not at some point in their lives find themselves at crossroads. Deciding between leaving your old job and old career path for the uncertainty of the future can be quite overwhelming. Especially, if you don’t know what you want to be doing but all you know is that it’s not what you are doing now. If you are sure that your current career path has hit a dead-end, it’s probably time for a fresh start. Here are some tips for making this transition smoother.
Understand why you want to change careers.
While this might be obvious to you, it is important to understand that you are not just having a bad week or a demanding boss, but that you truly yearn for a change.
Know your strengths and your weaknesses.
It is important to understand what it is you really like to do and what you are really good at to proceed in changing career paths. You probably know why you want to leave your job- you might be tired of doing the same thing, or you hit the proverbial dead-end or you are just not passionate about your work. Now it is important to understand how your strengths and your abilities could play into your new career plan. When you are certain about knowing the answer, proceed.
Do your homework
In other words, investigate. If you are uncertain about what career path to choose, go online and do a thorough research of the job market, for example, if you live in Nigeria check Nigerian classifieds online to find job offers. There are also specialized websites that show specific job vacancies offered. You can also use the information you find on these kind of website to choose your new career field based on the results you get.
Stay true to yourself
Don’t choose a career path just because it promises more financial stability and economic security than your previous career choice. If you go into it for the money there is a good chance you will end up being just as miserable as before. Instead, try to follow your passions and believe in your dreams.
Stay calm and carry on
Changing careers could be very overwhelming, especially if you don’t know exactly what you want to do in the future. The importance is to always keep your eyes on the prize, meaning staying focused on getting out of the job you don’t like and moving forward towards what will hopefully be the realization of your dreams- a satisfying and successful career.
