How to make a successful career change?
Do you want to reorient yourself or change careers ? The weight of routine, stress, inactivity, lack of meaning, need for more flexibility, better pay... There are many reasons to change careers. Before making your decision, it is important to assess your current situation and weigh the pros and cons. Here are some tips for a successful career change, in the most serene way!
Identify the reasons for the retraining
That's it, you've decided or you feel the desire to build a new professional project. Butterfly Minute! What are the reasons that push you to retrain? Have you thought long enough or is it just a sudden urge for a change of scenery? Take the time to become aware of the triggers that lead you to a desire to change careers. Sometimes it's just a bad patch to overcome. On the other hand, if the idea has been in your head for months, it is surely that your unhappiness at work is well established and must be resolved! So, get a pen and a piece of paper, and list the causes of it.
Define what matters to you
Once you've identified the causes of change, think about what's essential for you in your future job. What do you want to find that you don't have in your current position? What do you need at this precise moment? Go back to school to aspire to a job of your dreams ? Make a living from your passion ? Start your own business ? In other words, define your ideal job and the elements that would allow you to flourish at work. This is a necessary step to succeed in your professional reconversion.
Take stock of your skills
What do I know how to do ? What do I need to excel in my new job or training ? This is the 3rd step ! Analyzing your strengths and areas for improvement by comparing them with the needs of the company will allow you to clarify your situation. For example, enjoying working in a team is a highly sought-after criterion by companies. After the Covid-19 crisis, we also realised that flexibility and adaptability were two important qualities. Make a list of your skills, not neglecting the soft skills that are fundamental, or even more important in business. Read here the most sought-after soft skills by companies in 2021.
After this introspection, also ask for the opinion of colleagues, superiors or people who know you professionally. They can help you identify your strengths.
The skills assessment will allow you to do several things :
Taking a step back from your situation
Opening up to new career opportunities
Develop self-confidence and realize your strengths and weaknesses
Mature your professional project
Optimize your job search
Choosing the right training
Changing one's career sometimes requires the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. To put all the chances on your side, you can take training courses that will guarantee you success. For example, opt for online training, webinars or conferences that can be attended at any time in your free time.
Define an action plan
Redirecting your career is a decision not to be taken lightly. Like any good project, it is recommended to have an action plan in place. The latter brings together various elements such as the dates to be respected, registrations for a training course, possible financial aid, resignation from your current position, requests to the employer, etc.
Your plan doesn't have to be perfect from the start, you can reshape it at any time. On the other hand, it will help you see more clearly in your reconversion. You will know what you are getting into and will know the steps to validate before you fully embark.
Start!
To get started despite uncertainty is to take your courage in both hands and be in control of your choices! There are sometimes as many risks in not daring as in taking the plunge. Doing nothing when something no longer suits you can also have its consequences. It is accepting that you are no longer in control of your life. So if an inner voice is asking you to act, listen to it ! You can only grow from it.
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