Considering a Change in Career? Here are 5 Tips to Help You Succeed

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When we're young and in education, we're almost expected to make career decisions very early on. This can make people feel as though they're trapped in a career that they don't actually want, because it's either due to a decision made too early or just something they fell into to earn money because they didn't know what they wanted to do.

This isn't a failing on our part. There isn't even necessarily anything wrong with a career that is just designed to earn a living. You don't have to love your job, but you also shouldn't be unhappy 8-10 hours of the day. There's a difference between not following your passions and doing a job you hate.

So, you're a few years into a career and you realize it's not for you. Does this mean you're stuck? Absolutely not. Here are some things to consider when debating a career change.

Securing Your Finances

One of the most important things you should do if you're planning to quit your job and start a career from scratch is to think about your finances. While you aren't going to be in exactly the same position as you were when you first entered the workforce, and you might be considering a more lucrative career, it's vital to expect at least a temporary hit to your income.

You may need to take on entry-level positions to start with, or you might need to completely retrain for a new position. This could represent weeks or months of being between jobs as you try to get yourself ready for a new career.

In short, you absolutely shouldn't just quit your job on an impulse and try to jump into your dream job. Take time to plan how you'll afford your lifestyle. Save up so you have a couple of months of income saved up, and look for ways to reduce your average spend so you can weather the storm until you get established.

Learn Your Strengths

So, either you're unhappy with your current career or you're interested in something else specific. It's still important to learn what your strengths are before you make the big leap and completely change careers. A career strength test can help you identify your natural aptitudes and even your weaknesses, which can be really helpful when looking for a new job.

This isn't to say that you have to be a natural at everything. Some skills can be learned, even if you don't already have a lot of ability. But it can give you a leg up and, if you're not sure what type of career to look into, leaning into your strengths will make things easier and potentially more enjoyable as you move on to better things.

Explore Different Career Opportunities

Even if you have a passion you want to pursue, it's still a good idea to consider a few different career options.

The big benefit of having an existing career is that you have experience in an industry or a field. So if there is something you enjoy or excel at in your current job, you can look for careers that will use those skills.

Use job search websites and add your skills or interests to find out what potential career opportunities might appeal to you the most.

Starting a Home Business

Another reason people leave their jobs and change careers is to start their own business. There are two main ways people do this. They either leave employment and start a business in the field they've been working in so far. Or they do something completely different.

In the former case, you may need to actually leave work before starting a competing business, depending on your contract.

But in many cases, people are able to set up a side hustle or small business while they're still in employment, then leave their job once it's established enough to earn a living.

Expanding Your Education

Finally, it's important to face the elephant in the room. Sometimes, you might not be qualified for the career you want. But education doesn't just have to be for kids and young adults. Ideally, you should be looking into education opportunities to expand and advance your career.

Some qualifications, like forklift certification, can open you up to new jobs and new careers, and they might not be as time-consuming as a degree. Or you might go to an online university to learn a whole new skill and build your cv for a different career.