The days of working for the same company until you reach retirement age are long gone for many of us and not only do we often find ourselves switching jobs, we now have more options to switch our career path altogether.
It may be that you come across a job that appeals but don’t have the skills required at the present time, or it could be that you decide to launch your own business and want to make use of your existing skills to a greater extent.
Companies like Aerial Platforms are an example of how you can diversify your career as they provide training as well as equipment hire, so you might start out working in one area of a business and subsequently transfer your skills and switch career direction as a result of this move.
Time for a change
It could be that you feel you have reached a point in your working life where you believe you are ready for a new challenge or a complete change of career.
Knowing when it is time for a change is not a precise science and some of us are more tolerant of our current employment prospects than others.
Success clearly means different things to different people but generally speaking, if you feel that you have not been promoted in line with your talents or don’t earn a salary that is sufficient for the life you want to lead, these are just two indicators that may suggest it is time to consider a change.
A career change can mean either seeking a new role within your current organisation if that is possible, or it might require a change of employer or a completely different direction for your career altogether.
You need to ask yourself a series of questions about what is important to you and where you want to be with your career in the next five or ten years. If you don’t feel that your goals can be realised with your existing employment role, then it may well be the right time for change.
Ticking the boxes
Deciding it is time for a change of direction is just the starting point and your next step should be to draw up a realistic shortlist of potential careers and then create a career changer’s checklist.
Salary is a big consideration for many of us. A change of career might mean making a choice between doing something you really enjoy which pays less in the beginning, or looking for a job that provides opportunity for promotion and a better salary than you currently earn.
Lifestyle is another driver for some of us who decide they want a career change. You need to decide how much time you are going to commit to your new career and how this will affect those around you like your family and your partner.
The aim should be to decide what factors are particularly important to you such as salary, working hours and opportunities for career progression, so that you can use the checklist to create a list of the jobs that would be suitable for you.
Changing career is a big life decision so make sure you weigh up all the pros and cons before you make the move and take on an exciting new work challenge.
Robert James has worked his way up the corporate ladder in a range of different roles and likes to share his experiences online. His thoughts can be found across a number of different websites.
