Do you dread going to work every morning? You may lay there in bed contemplating if it’s even worth it to drag yourself into the office.
And you’re not alone. Over half of all Americans are unhappy at work. But that doesn’t mean you have to just accept it and settle for a job you hate.
Deciding to make a career change is scary, but it can be worth it in the long run. When you enjoy your job, you’ll notice that you feel happier in your life, and you may even work harder leading you to get promotions and raises over time.
But how can you make such a drastic life change? We’re here to help! Keep reading to discover our tips to help you make a career change.
Make Sure You Really Need One
It’s no secret that changing careers is a lot of work. It may also put you in a financially venerable position. So, before you commit to switching careers, make sure it’s what you want.
Think about why you hate your job. If it’s because your boss is awful, you don’t feel appreciated, there is no room for growth, or because you don’t get along with co-workers, you may not need a whole career change. You may just need to find a new job in the same field.
However, if you dislike the tasks you do on a daily basis or feel like you need to be in a position where you can make a real difference, a career change may be necessary.
Think About New Career Options
Once you’ve decided that a career change is essential to your happiness, it’s time to start thinking about your options. Start by writing a wish-list for your new job.
Do you want to work with animals, express your creativity, pursue a specific passion, or help the less fortunate? Or maybe you’ve always been good at a certain subject in school, like math or history, and you want a job doing something related to that.
When you know what you want, think of jobs that fit the bill. For example, if you want to work with animals and you’ve always been good with science, look into being a vet. If you want to be creative and have an eye for business, look into advertising or marketing.
Research, Research, Research
Alright, at this point you probably have a decent list of potential new careers. Now it’s time to narrow that list down.
Start by researching each position in depth. Learn what exactly a career in that field entails, as well as the average pay and educational requirements. You may also want to look into how many jobs are available and how secure the job is.
Self-Evaluate
Before you settle on a career, it’s also important to evaluate yourself. Are you willing to go back to school for four or more years if necessary? Are you willing (and financially able) to take an unpaid internship or low paying position to get your foot in the door?
You’ll also want to be realistic in your skills and interest. Being an oceanographer may sound cool, but it’s probably not the best choice if you’re bad at math or science. Being a nurse can be a good option if you want to help others, but not if you aren’t willing to take on the messier aspects of the job.
Pick Your New Career Path
It’s important to take your time deciding your new career path. The last thing you want is to end up in another career you don’t like.
Create a pros and cons list of each job. Decide if the pros outweigh the cons or if the cons are going to make you miserable. Don’t be afraid to cross off every possible career on your list and start from scratch if none of them seem right for you.
Make a Plan
“I’ve picked my new career! Now what?” Undergoing a career change can be very hard and stressful. So, it’s important that you make a plan for the transition.
Will you need to go back to school or get an apprenticeship? Decide how you’ll finance your education and what schools will be right for you. You’ll also need to decide if you can afford to quit your current job or if you’ll need to stay on full time.
Update Your Resume
But getting through school is only half the battle. You’ll also need to find a job in your new field.
Before you start applying, make sure you update your resume. You may want to opt for one of the resume writing services outlined in this blog to ensure your resume will stand out amongst the rest.
You’ll also need to be prepared to answer questions regarding your career change, especially if you were in your prior career for many years.
Start the Job Hunt
With the proper education under your belt and a new resume in hand, it’s time to start your job hunt.
While finding a good-paying job in your current city is ideal, be prepared to compromise. It is your first job in the field, after all. You may need to move to another city or state to get that great job or you may need to accept an unpaid internship or low-paying job to get your foot in the door.
It’s important to stay positive at this step. Know that with experience, you’ll be able to find better jobs with higher pay in the future.
Make a Career Change Today
Don’t let yourself wither away at a job you hate any longer. Just follow this guide and take the steps needed to make a career change today. Future you will be grateful you did.
Are you considering a career in the foreign exchange market? Then check out these top paying foreign exchange trader positions!