Things to consider before making a career change
Making a career change is not uncommon as priorities change. Work-life balance, salary, job satisfaction and shifting values all have varying importance throughout a person’s life.
Today’s workforce is nothing compared to what it was 20 years ago — people are working as full-time freelancers, gig workers and with Australia’s increasing underemployment rate, it’s becoming more common for people to switch careers completely.
A career change is a big decision, so we’ve compiled some considerations to make before taking that big leap.
Identify why you want a change
Clarifying your goals is a good way to identify the type of change you’re looking for in your new job. Sometimes a small shift is all that a person needs to put the spark back in their career or to fulfil their career aspirations. There are many reasons for craving change in the workplace: concerns about career advancement, bad blood with a colleague or looking for something that aligns with your values.
Take time to upskill
Before you quit your current job, be sure to investigate what you want to do next because it will determine the type of skills you should have or need. The best approach is to analyse job descriptions to find the specific skills you need to brush up on. Start positioning yourself as an asset to the organisation. To do this, you can enrol yourself in skill-building courses, conferences or training workshops to give you a competitive edge.
Take some time to reflect
There are billions of jobs in the world and it’s tough figuring out which one’s the right fit for you. Changing jobs shouldn’t be done out of impulse so it’s important to think about what it is you want to do. Another good idea is to talk to people in different roles to hear what a day on the job is like. You can find them through meet-ups, professional networking events, career exhibitions, or even LinkedIn. Which brings us to our next point …
Update your LinkedIn
Take a step back and assess your current LinkedIn profile page. Is it up to date? Many organisations and recruiters do a LinkedIn audit on prospective candidates. It’s important to keep your profile looking professional and up to date as possible. Share your academic achievements or professional accomplishments or get a trusted co-worker to write you a stellar LinkedIn recommendation.
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