Winning Strategies for Switching Jobs

With millions of jobs affected by the global pandemic, you may have been forced to contemplate a career change. The thought of changing careers, however, can be overwhelming. Fear of the unknown could be holding you back from taking action. As creatures of habit, we tend to maintain the status quo for as long as possible — even if it’s barely working. The following are some insider tips and winning strategies to help you break through the uncertainty and successfully switch jobs.

Find the Right Path

Perhaps you already know the direction you’re supposed to go; perhaps you’re still figuring that out. Even if you’re not certain about the specifics, the fact that you are seriously considering a job change means it may be time to pivot and move in another direction. To find the right path, look to your intuition and let that guide you as you explore different possibilities. Start by asking yourself — what kind of work would make you look forward to Monday mornings or inspire you to put in extra hours without a second thought?

Still Not Clear? Change Your Perspective

If you’re having trouble identifying your next step, find ways to get a break from your routine.  Doing so could help you consider future possibilities from a different perspective. If you have the time and means to do so, try taking a vacation or even just a day trip to think about your options. You could also try changing up your daily schedule to breathe new life into your thinking and help you find clarity.

Put Some Time, Research and Thought Into It

While making decisions that align with your passion and talent is very important, selecting and transitioning into a new career should be undertaken with care. Take the time to research as much as you can about the field in which you’re interested. Learn what kind of opportunities may be available for someone with your skills. At the same time, balance your ideals with what’s realistically possible given the current marketplace.

Explore the Field

As you narrow down your ideas for a career change, reach out to have conversations with people who are already established in that field. Find out their impressions and gain insights about their own thought process in selecting that career path. Ask them about the pros and cons of the job as well as what it’s like on a day-to-day basis. Networking in this way will help you confirm whether or not a particular line of work suits you. It could even lead to potential job opportunities.

Keep in mind that switching careers is possible at any age or phase in life. Use these winning strategies to help get you on the right path and make a successful change.