Career Change: Getting Ready for Your Job Search
Start by assessing your skillset and understanding your options. Do research to understand the job market and potential opportunities, and network to develop your professional contacts. Consider retraining, education, or a mentorship if you need to. If you're considering freelancing, look into what it takes to become a successful freelancer. Measure the risks and weigh your prospects.
Once you decide on your desired career path, you can build a plan to work towards it. With the right advice, you can create a success story out of your career change.
When you’ve decided on a career path that you intend to switch to, it’s time for job search to commence! Here are some ways you get yourself in the radar of hirers:
- Start gaining experience If you’re passionate about the field that you will be entering, find opportunities to practice. Build your portfolio that showcases your proudest works and achievements! This is crucial for industries where experience speaks louder than paper qualifications.
- Update your resume and your Jobstreet profileThese will be your main tools for finding a new job, so it's important to make a good impression. List relevant experiences and highlight how your experience and skills can add value in your new career. Now, it’s time to get noticed by hirers!
- Seek advice, insights and potential opportunities through your existing networkConnect with your existing colleagues for potential opportunities within your companies. In fact, they may even help you transition seamlessly and help you succeed in your new roles! You could also connect with people who are already working in the industry you're interested in. They could provide valuable industry insights – and may potentially help you land a job.
- Start applying for jobsOpportunities come to those who act. Found job ads that pique your interest? Go for them! In fact, you could even head over to Jobstreet right now!
- Prepare for job interviewsGather all necessary documents into a (virtual) folder. If you haven't interviewed for a job in a while or are worried about unexpected questions that employers may ask, it's a good idea to practice your interview skills in front of a mirror or with Jobstreet’s Interview Practice Tool.
More Advice on Career Change
Changing careers is not an easy decision to make, but it can be a truly rewarding experience and an exciting opportunity for growth.
If you’re currently at a crossroads unsure of your next step, always remember to be truly honest with yourself about how you’d like your career to be. Get all the advice you need during this time, but set a deadline for each key milestone, such as when you will make a final decision and when you’d like to put in your resignation notice.
Once you’ve made up your mind, keep yourself going by reminding yourself of why you’re making the change. Things may get tough, so keep yourself inspired and motivated by looking at stories of people who have successfully made their career pivots.
Wishing you the best success, and onwards to a fulfilling career!
