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Career Advice for Job Seekers

Changing Gears: Where to Start When You’re Making a Huge Career Switch

William Frierson AvatarWilliam Frierson
April 13, 2015


A modified road sign on career change

A modified road sign on career change. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Making a huge career switch is a tumultuous, exciting and scary time in every job seeker’s life, and with today’s ever-changing economy, it’s very likely that you’ll find yourself making one of these changes at some point during your career. Searching for a fulfilling career is full of ups and downs; it’s a frustrating and exhausting experience that leaves many job seekers in a state of worry and disarray, but in the long-run, finding a new career that fits your goals and ambitions is better than being stuck at a job that you hate.

Follow these tips to help you get started with your career switch, and you’ll easily manage your doubts and fears during uncertain times:

Be Prepared For Surprises

Planning for your new career is important, but it’s also important to roll with the punches; today’s careers are fast and constantly evolving, so you need to be ready to follow a non-linear path to get to where you want to be. Approach your new career path with an open mind, and remember, there are going to be bumps in the road that you just can’t plan for. The name of the game in today’s job market is adaptability.

Use False Starts To Your Advantage

It’s common for people to work in a certain field for a couple of years before realizing that it just isn’t for them. False starts can be frustrating, but you can use your old experiences to find yourself a fulfilling career path. Figure out what you liked and disliked about your old career, and use this to work through what you need and expect from your next career. Finding a new career that fits your personality and expectations is an important part of a successful transition.

Embrace Adversity

Major career changes are sometimes thrust upon the job seeker; rising unemployment, changing industries and technology can quickly make your old career path a thing of the past. If this happens to you, you need to embrace the fact that you tried your hardest at your old career, and now it’s time to find something that is more meaningful and rewarding. Seize this opportunity, and use it to find a meaningful career path.

Maximize Opportunities

Keep an eye out for unexpected opportunities, and when you see one, make sure to pounce on it. Everyone has heard stories of people getting jobs by being at the right place at the right time; when you keep your eyes open for great opportunities, you’re more likely to get lucky and find the job of your dreams. If an opportunity to gain career-relevant knowledge presents itself, take it! Stay focused and positive, and make sure to maximize every opportunity that comes your way.

Finding a new career path is tough, but when you follow these tips, you’ll be prepared for what is to come, and this means that you’ll be able to maximize every opportunity that is presented to you. Use uncertainty and your earlier career to your advantage; you’ll end up in a career that suits you perfectly.

About the Author: Emma is a writer living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. Information used in this article was provided by an adult education specialist from the NKU PACE program.

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