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“Practical Magic” “There’s a little witch in all of us.”
Photo by Stefano Pollio on Unsplash
So, you're thinking about a career change? Whether you’re just not feeling the spark anymore in your current role or just you’ve discovered a new role you want to pursue. But, you are having that scary feeling that it is a bad idea. A new career can be exciting, challenging, deeply rewarding, and at the same time seems very scary. However, with the right steps and a little planning, you can overcome those scary halloween feelings and make the leap with confidence.
Let’s brush off those cobwebs and break it down the process casually and step by step!
Create a Game Plan
You know where you want to go, but how are you going to get there? Now it’s time to put together a plan.
Set goals: Be specific about what you want to achieve in your new career. Is it a role at a specific company? A salary increase? Write it down!
Create a timeline: Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps and create a realistic timeline. Set deadlines for completing courses, applying for jobs, and even scheduling networking opportunities.
Budget for the change: Depending on the career shift, there could be expenses for additional education, certifications, or even
Gradual transition: Start with side projects or part-time work.
Informational interviews: Learn from professionals in your desired field.
Upskilling: Invest in courses or certifications.
Professional coaching: Guided support for your transition.
Support network: Surround yourself with encouraging people.
Common Scary Thoughts:
Uncertainty: "Will I make the right decision?"
Financial instability: "Will I earn enough?"
Loss of identity: "Who am I without my current role?"
Skill gaps: "Am I qualified for a new career?"
Networking: "How do I build connections in a new field?"
Overcoming Fears:
Research and exploration
Skill development and training
Networking and mentorship
Financial planning and budgeting
Self-reflection and goal-setting
Real-Life Examples:
From marketing to non-profit management
From teaching to corporate training
From engineering to entrepreneurship
Transition Timeline:
Self-assessment (weeks 1-4)
Research and exploration (weeks 5-8)
Skill development (weeks 9-12)
Networking and job search (weeks 13-16)
Launching your new career (after week 16)
Exercise 1: Identify Your Fears
Write down your top 3 fears about career transition.
Analyze each fear:
What's causing it?
How realistic is it?
What can you do to mitigate it?
Example: Fear of financial instability
Cause: Uncertainty about new salary
Reality check: Research average salaries in desired field
Mitigation: Create a financial safety net, explore part-time or freelance work
Exercise 2: Explore New Career Options
Research industries/roles aligning with your values, skills, and interests.
Conduct informational interviews or job shadowing.
Reflect on:
What resonates with you?
What skills do you need to develop?
Example: Exploring a transition from marketing to UX design
Research: Read articles, attend webinars, join design communities
Informational interviews: Talk to UX designers, ask about challenges and successes
Reflection: Identify necessary skills (e.g., user research, wireframing)
Exercise 3: Update Your Skills
Identify skill gaps for your desired career.
Create a learning plan:
Online courses (e.g., Coursera, LinkedIn Learning)
Workshops or conferences
Mentorship or coaching
Example: Developing coding skills for a career in software development
Learning plan:
Online courses (Python, JavaScript)
Attend coding meetups
Join online coding communities
Exercise 4: Build Your Network
Attend industry events, conferences, or meetups.
Connect with professionals on LinkedIn.
Join online communities or forums.
Example: Building a network in the sustainability sector
Attend: Green business conferences
Connect: LinkedIn profiles of sustainability professionals
Join: Online forums (e.g., Reddit's r/sustainability)
Self-Reflection and Exploration:
Make a list of your core values and consider how they align with potential career paths.
Imagine your ideal job and break down the skills, responsibilities, and environment it entails.
Create a list of your transferable skills, both hard and soft, and consider how they can be applied to new fields.
Research and Information Gathering.
Connect with professionals in your target field to learn about their experiences and career paths.
Job Search and Application.
Follow-up: Send thank-you notes after interviews and follow up with hiring managers to express your continued interest.
Tips for a Successful Career Transition:
Start small: Take incremental steps.
Be patient: Transitioning takes time.
Seek support: Mentorship, coaching, or peer groups.
Focus on skills: Develop in-demand skills.
Stay adaptable: Be open to new opportunities.
6 Advanced Pro tips.
Use productivity tools like Trello or Asana to manage your tasks and keep your job search on track.
Set aside regular time each week for learning and development to stay ahead.
Use rejection as an opportunity to refine your approach and grow stronger in your search.
If the company can’t meet your salary request, consider negotiating for other perks like flexible working hours or additional vacation time.
Be open to new experiences and challenges as you transition to a new career.
Lean on friends, family, or mentors for encouragement and guidance.
Additional Resources.
Career transition guides and workbooks
Online courses and webinars
Professional coaching services
Industry-specific networking groups
Inspirational stories of successful career transitions
Remember: Career transition is a process. Take small steps.
You got this!
Take control of your career transition. Start Today!!
Top 5 Top Websites to Look for New Jobs 💼
Indeed
Comprehensive job search engine
Millions of job listings from thousands of websites
Advanced search filters and resume upload
LinkedIn
Professional networking platform
Job search feature with personalized recommendations
Resume building and skills assessment tools
Glassdoor
Job search and company review platform
Insights into company culture and salaries
Interview questions and reviews from current and former employees
Monster Jobs
Well-established job search website
Resume building and career advice resources
Personalized job recommendations
ZipRecruiter
Job search aggregator
Millions of job listings from various sources
AI-powered job matching technology
Niche Job Boards:
Wellfound (formerly Angel List Talent)
We Work Remotely (remote jobs)
Stack Overflow (tech and programming)
(link unavailable) (creative and media)
HealthcareJobSite (healthcare professionals)
Tips:
Utilize keywords and filters for targeted searches.
Set up job alerts for new openings.
Network with professionals in your industry.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to each application.
Practice your interview skills.
Stay ahead in your job search!
What’s happening in career and jobs 💡
Career productivity tools.💡
AI Tools for Job search
kickresume.com/en/. Resume - Build an effective resume to get the interview.
interviewing.io/. Interview - Great place to get interview prep questions.
Jobscan.co. Jobscan helps you optimize your resume and cover letter for any job, highlighting the key experience and skills recruiters need to see.
hunter.co. Application Tracker - Huntr helps you create tailored resumes and cover letters fast with AI, fill out application forms in one click, and automatically organize your job search.
Remoterocketship.com. Find remote jobs
Job Readiness Training. 🚶♂️💰
Find your North Star.
Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep learning. Stay connected
Wishing you continued success!
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to bringing you more valuable insights and resources in the future.
If you decide to take the plunge and subscribe I’m committed to supporting you every step of the way.