We've all been there. We're struggling in our current position and start daydreaming about doing something completely different. A new job, a new industry, a new location; it all sounds very appealing at that moment.
But before you hand in your notice and embark on a brave new adventure, there are some things you need to consider first. So here are three things to think about before making a big career change.
3 Things To Consider Before Making A Big Career Change
Your Motivation
Before you make any big decisions, it's important to sit down and figure out what your motivation is for wanting to make a change. If you're considering a new job because you're unhappy in your current role, that's one thing.
But if you're looking for a change just for the sake of change, that might not be the best idea. You could find yourself in the same situation as you are now but in a different role or company.
So ask yourself what you hope to gain from making this change. If your answer is anything other than career progress and satisfaction, you might want to reconsider.
It's important to be honest about why you want to leave your current role. Finding the root cause of your unhappiness will help you ensure you don't end up in the same situation again.
Your Skillset
When changing careers, it's important to consider what skills and experience you have that will transfer over to your new industry or role. For example, if you're looking to leave sales to become a web developer, that might not be the best fit.
However, if you have experience working with numbers and analyzing data, a role in marketing might be a good option. The more skills and experience you can bring to your new career, the better off you'll be.
And don't forget, soft skills are transferable too! For example, if you have strong communication or leadership skills, those will come in handy no matter what industry or role you find yourself in.
If you're unsure where your skills lie, you can use career assessment tools to help you figure it out.
The Job Market
It's also important to consider the state of the job market before making any decisions. Research the industry or role you're interested in and see what the demand is like.
If there are fewer jobs available than there are people looking for work, that could make things more difficult for you as you try to make the switch. On the other hand, if there is high demand for workers in your desired field, that could give you an edge as employers will be competing for top talent.
Knowing the state of the job market can help guide your decision-making process as well as shape your expectations once you start applying for jobs. Additionally, research can help you identify any skills or experience needed to make yourself a more attractive candidate in your desired field.
Conclusion
If you're considering making a big career change, that's great! It takes guts to make such a huge decision and pursue something different. But before taking the plunge, there are some things you need to consider first.
Take the time to reflect on your decision; this can help set you up for success down the road.
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