By Brian Wilmer
Changes in your career can cost you; however, the good news is that you can avoid them. Avoid making mistakes like overlooking your passion for a greater wage, rushing into the first job you are offered, or expect training on the job. Never trip your boss on your way to the exit.
The following are some of the main mistakes that many people make, and how you can avoid them.
Following Somebody Else’s Clue
The average work time is 90,000 hours over our lifetime. And how we spend our days is related to how we live, and this also relates to how we connect with ourselves and other people. Never make or choose career expectations based on the things someone else did; because your friend or a relative has a great career as a doctor doesn’t mean that that is the right path for you too.
Be wary of choosing a career based on the amount of salary someone else earns in that field. Just because someone is earning lots of money in a specific field doesn’t mean that it is your path. That is the perfect formula for a career disaster.
To avoid making this mistake, never make your career decisions or choices based on someone’s experience in a particular field. You can seek insight about the career from others, but avoid following a career because they all did it and became successful. Additionally, take your time to reflect and understand what really matters to you. Knowing that specific information about you will act as the basis for the entire search and help you assess the potential opportunities.
Going Back to School Early
You may need to get another degree depending on your new career choice. This is because some of the filed you pick can have clear education requirements, for example, choosing top mechanical engineering programs to become a mechanical engineer, however, some won’t need you to go back to school.
You have to clearly do some research on if getting another degree will improve your work possibilities or even increase the amount of salary you can earn. You have to take your time to research your potential new career and others too. Talk to people in your circle or network or other experts who can help you in your endeavors. With more information, you will be able to gain an insight into potential jobs and their requirements.
Rushing onto Another Job because you are Bored
You are bound to face a similar problem in your subsequent career and the next one if you are considering a career change because you are bored or you simply hate your current job. Boredom or job hatred isn’t something new; it can happen to anyone and doesn’t mean that you ditch your career just like that. Additionally, rushing into the first job you are offered only provides you with less result when it comes to increasing your professional gratification.
Instead of quitting your job due to boredom or hatred, just hang in there. It can be quite uncomfortable to work in a place that bores you or where you hate your job while you’re exploring other choices. But that is the best thing you can do. Pay more attention to what motivates you; it can go a long way in helping you find long-term career satisfaction.
Going Alone
Everything about the career path you are about to take might sound very promising, however, until you talk with individuals that are in that particular field, you won’t really know what you are about to face. It can be very frustrating to have the skills, preparations, and merit to get a new job but lack the right connections; it’s never the best idea to go for it by yourself. Don’t ignore your network, finding the job you want can depend on who you know. Also, keep in mind that many job openings aren’t announced but instead offered to candidates who were referred to the company by someone they know.
The best way to connect with people in the field you want is by going on informational meetings with individuals who already work in that field. During this time, make sure to inquire relevant questions regarding the industry. By doing this, you will not only familiarize yourself with the bolts and nuts but also hear about occupation vacancies and get interior referrals. Additionally, don’t forget to leverage social media: LinkedIn to be precise. Here you are more likely to find a mentor in the field you are interested in. The mentor will give you a lift in your job hunt.
Not Having a Strong Plan
You won’t get your dream job without enough planning and goal setting. Being too impulsive or just relying on luck can lead to few or zero results. It can take a few months to have a successful career change. Without a solid plan, you are bound to end up more mixed up and feeling trapped in the midst of nowhere.
To be on the safer side, complete a self-evaluation and research, then make a timeline, and set goals. Your plans must include some precise, actionable stages that improve your chances of getting hired. You will also have to put some things into consideration, for example, the salary, will your new salary be enough to pay your bills, and will you need more training or additional degree? Answering these questions will help you get the job that is best for you.
Not Fine-tuning your Resume for a Career Switch
Your resume is a list of all your previous jobs as well as what you did. Your resume should be adjusted to fit the new industry you are pursuing. It might be good that you have several years of practice in public relations, but if you want to shift professions to human resources, you need to know that your past resume won’t change it.
To switch careers, you will need a more functional resume to uphold your prerequisite instead of a chronological one. Take your time and energy to bring up to date and refine your qualifications, irrespective of the number of years you have been working.
Conclusion
When you decide to switch careers, pick a career that also functions as a life skill. They will allow you to handle everything from interacting with others to pinpointing and processing your emotions. It doesn’t matter the experience you have, your age, or your current skills, you just need some faith and a bit of planning and research to dedicate yourself to professional victory.
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