If you’ve decided your career needs a boost, and you entered the new year with a basic plan to change jobs, this series of three blogs can get you (or keep you) on track. In the first post in this series, we looked at “taking stock” of your new year’s career goal to have a better job in 2024. The premise of Part 1 was to get a “better similar job.” This job would not be a radical change, just a change within the same industry, or a more meaningful role within your present employer. We addressed the need for this change of role by focusing on a dedicated goal and required activity. This begins with setting a goal for a promotion within your current employer or taking a new option within a related employer. A decision to remain in your current industry provides for a more direct job search and a more straightforward focus to establish your SMART goal and action plan.
This post is focused on the option of changing both your work role and your employer type/industry. Just like any job search goal, you must “be in it to win it”. This process is work but SO worth it! Being specific in your desires will really help as you seek out clarity and look for patterns. You will need to see alignment between the information you are gathering and your feelings and interests. When you have a clear sense that you want a new career path and a fresh start, then you will need to spend some time exploring several important elements:
- Self
Perhaps you have taken some career assessments (Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or used What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles) to examine the skills (transferrable/process skills) you want to continue using in your next job. Revisit interests (work activities and environments) and abilities that also align with your talents and preferences.
- Labor Market
Review the needs of employers and the language of the industry. Many states now require a basic posting of salary for open positions. You will want to audit job postings for required certifications, degrees, and skills. Often you will be missing some content skills when you read new job descriptions. Employers may train you on some gaps. For others, you may need to secure your own skill development. Honestly evaluate if a new (perhaps lower) salary is a deal breaker or whether you can sustain a step down to place you on a more satisfying path.
- Plan
If all factors (jobs with skills, interests, and abilities) line up well, you should develop a SMART goal and an action plan. If there are gaps to applying for desired jobs, think about how you will address those gaps to qualify for the role and industry you are seeking (micro-certification, credit or non-credit courses, undergraduate or advanced degree, possible volunteer role or intern role).
You may be wondering if there is an easy way to get through this process. Not really. No one can own your decision, nor can they be at your interview when you get to that step in the process. This is your own process. That said, it is good to have a positive, supportive partner along the way.
There’s a great reason to invest in yourself this way. Most people make career changes often. Of course, you can get assistance. But understanding and owning your process always is best in the long run. To be honest, it is a good practice to dedicate time to conduct your own annual career exam, just like you do to maintain your health. An annual “reality check” can really help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Life demands and roles continue to change. Your motivations and work will also change. Employers change over time as well. New jobs develop and, in fact, whole new industries are invented while other jobs become extinct. Many people benefit from someone that they can be accountable to, discuss stumbling blocks with, and note progress. It is also critical to stay away from negative folks who have any agenda differing from the one you are committed to make happen.
When you are determined to make it (the career goal) happen, you will gain the momentum and confidence you need to stay on track. Any change can be initially hard, but also may be exciting. The clearer your goal, the more likely your movement will continue in the right direction. If your commitment to a new path is real, and not just a notion, you will succeed.
One such resource you can tap into is career coaching or career counseling. I am a degreed, professionally certified coach with 28 years of successful client results. Check out my website at careermanagementstrategies.com to schedule a complimentary initial consultation and access some free tools that will help you in this endeavor.