Career changes can sound exciting and life-changing, but with some people having the mindset of the “grass being greener on the other side,” it’s important to go into a career change with a realistic view and expectations. There are some common mistakes people make when making a career change, that can thankfully be easily avoided. In today’s blog, we’ll go over a few of the pitfalls people can find themselves in and how best to avoid them…
Not Doing Enough Research
It’s important to thoroughly research what the new career you’re interested in looks like. What are the challenges you may face? What does the work look like day-to-day? Beyond researching what you can online, try to get real-life advice from those currently in the field. Networking events may be a great way to go about this if you personally don’t know anyone. The people you meet may recommend courses you should take and books you should read that would help you gain a better understanding of what you’re looking to get into. In an article on Forbes they write, “Most people will change careers 5-7 times throughout their lifetime, and with more than 12,000 career options available, there is no shortage of options or people to network with. It’s really about narrowing your options down, and one of the best ways to ensure you’re on the right track is through talking with people who are out there, doing work you are considering. These conversations are necessary because they’ll take you out of the fantasy and into the truth of the roles you’re interested in. Nonetheless, hold each person’s experience lightly as one person’s experience doesn’t define the reality of an entire job for everyone. Collect enough feedback to make a proper judgment call.”
Not Valuing Transferable Skills
Transferable skills can show that even if you haven’t worked in that industry before, you do in fact have applicable experience. In an article on Forbes they write, “Your career toolkit probably includes a bunch of transferable skills that can make your transition a whole lot easier. A good place to start is by looking over your job description and listing the skills you’ve developed. What’s versatile? What could work in a totally different role? You’d be surprised how much of it can translate to a different career path. Let’s say you’re a customer service pro wanting to become a project manager. Think about it: Your experience dealing with clients, solving problems, and working with people from different departments can help you a lot in your new role. You’ve already got more in your corner than you realize.”
Thinking You Need to Go Back to School
Some may think that in order to start a new career they need to go back to school but that’s a common misconception. In an article on Core Themes, they write, “This is a common mistake. Many colleges, particularly those that market online classes and long-distance learning, promote the notion that having that advanced degree first will open career change paths for you. It’s only true for a limited number of circumstances, such as nursing. Without researching whether or not you will actually need another degree or certificate before embarking on a new career path is a waste of time and money if that degree or certificate is not necessary for your career change.”