Thinking About a Career Change This Year? Find The Right Path for Your Situation

If you are looking for a change this year and would like to find the path for the future when it comes to your career, your calling, and your personal mission, chances are that you will need to start some soul searching. You have probably got your career choice wrong before, changed your major during college and university, so now you know that it is important to do your research before you jump in head first. Below you will find a few tips on how to find your next career that will make you happier and more content.

Your Lifestyle

Before you choose your new career, you should consider your lifestyle, so you know exactly what type of time and resource commitment you need to make to achieve your career goals. If you absolutely hate commuting, you might not sign up for a course that will result in a job that involves covering hundreds of miles each day. However, if you are looking for variety, you should look for diversity when choosing your next career.

Your Family Commitments

You might think that you can do anything you want to, but will your family life suffer? If you have to look after one of your family members, or have small kids, you would rather not spend the nights at the office. You can find a job that allows you to work from home or in a flexible shift pattern, so you can meet your personal and family commitments, while building your career. Speak to people who are in the same situation and have a job you are looking to get to get the full picture.

Willingness to Learn

At the end of the day, you will not learn a skill without being able to invest time and energy. You need to consider the time and effort it will take you to get trained in your new profession. Thanks to the improvements made in online education technology, you can now get a college degree while working full time or looking after your family. You should check out and compare different online nurse practitioner programs to find out whether or not this path is for you.

Career Progression

Once you have decided on which industry and work area you would like to move into, you should consider the long term plans and opportunities the job offers. You don’t want to end up in a dead end job and move on after just a few years, being disappointed with the lack of promotion and professional development support. You should talk to recruitment agencies in advance, before you make your decision about a career change.

Long Term Outlook

While you might be excited about the new career path you have chosen, your job might become endangered by artificial intelligence and automation. It is crucial that you check the industry predictions and the trends, so you will not end up losing the job you spent years training for in a few years’ time. You need to check whether or not the demand for the job you will do is going to increase or decrease in the next decade to make an informed decision.

Flexibility

If a 9-5 job leaves you unimpressed, or you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you might want to find a job that gives you the flexibility to do things that will help you become a better person long term. From flexible working to working from home on certain days, being able to move between offices and jump on new projects every now and then to improve your skills, there are several things that will make your career even more interesting.

Independence

Some people are more independent than others. The good news is that the more responsibility you are able to take for your job at the workplace, the higher you will get on the career ladder. If you would rather not face close supervision, you have to find a job that allows you to make your own decisions without getting them signed off by your supervisor. A mortgage advisor, health visitor, or business coach might be the right career choices for you.

Self Improvement

When you choose a career path, you should always consider whether or not it will help you with achieving your personal development goals. If you cannot align your values with the company’s, or you are at risk of burning out, you might want to think twice about your career options. You might want to spend some time meditating in the morning, or have the weekends off to devote a few days to your passion or your chosen sport.

Potential Earnings

Money talks when it comes to career options, but you have to consider the long term and potential earnings, instead of just the starting salary. Ask about companies’ career progression plans, even if you don’t know which firm you want to join in the future. If your future job will pay you a commission, or you get a free training and qualification, you might need to settle for a lower starting salary initially to achieve your full earning potential later.

Your Personality

One of the things people forget to consider when choosing a career path is their personality. You might be an outgoing person, and doing back office admin work will simply kill your soul. On the other hand, if you like being organized and knowing what you are going to do each day, you might not want to be a traveling agent or a consultant who needs to visit businesses all over the country. Complete a personality test before you choose your next career to avoid disappointments.

There are several reasons why people get their career choice wrong. When you are young, you are not prepared for the changes in your life and personality. However, if you already tried a couple of jobs and embarked on a journey of self-discovery, your job is much easier. Consider your long term plans and current situation before you make a jump.