Thinking about a career change? Start with these 5 tips

I know only too well from my own experience how it feels to be stuck in a rut, not enjoying work and dreading Sunday evenings because I knew the next day I'd be back in a job where I didn't feel fulfilled or appreciated.

My confidence was low, and I felt I had to settle for the job I was in.

Then I stopped and thought...

Why?

I wasn't earning enough, and a change of career was always running through my mind, but I didn't know what I wanted to do, I didn't know how to change things or where to start.

Does this sound familiar to you?

If you want to build your confidence and explore a career change, it's worth taking some time to think about where you are now and where you'd like to be.

Here are five tips to help you evaluate your current situation and gain clarity before making any big decisions.

1.  Be honest with yourself

Do you want to change your career, change your role or change company? 

You have to get really specific here.

What don't you like, and what do you like? Make a list. It may be that you like your career but don't like your team, your boss or the ethics of the company you work for. Flesh it out on paper, list it out. Would you like to have the same role in a public sector organisation, charity, private sector or have a similar career in another country? Would you like to have the confidence to work part-time in your field and pursue another career at the same time?

2.  Get clarity around why you want to change careers

Are you bored?

Have you always suppressed your creative streak and now want to own that and take a risk in a new creative career?

Did you fall into the job after university and get comfortable, but now it's uncomfortable as you have changed as a person, and the field no longer interests you?

Do you want to start earning more money to save for a house when earning more in your field is not a possibility?

Is your confidence low, and do you feel undervalued?

Do you feel you are not making progress?

Do you feel that it's a false environment you are working in?

Has restructuring in the organisation meant your role has changed and you no longer enjoy what you do? 

Do you find your boss unbearable?

Understanding your motivation is one of the most important parts of making a successful career change.

3. Get familiar with your talents and skills

Are you a people person?

Are you excellent at organising other people's lives?

Are you good with words, the law, figures/accounts/spreadsheets, admin, children, old people/sick people, design, styling, fashion, make-up, wealth/investment, ideas, fundraising, lecturing or researching?

How can you use these transferable skills in your current working life, in a different role or in a different department?

Can you take these transferable skills to another company, set up a company for yourself, become an expert in your field, partner up with someone else, become a freelance contractor, specialist or an entrepreneur?

4. Seriously consider if you are prepared to start from the bottom or re-train

If what you want to do requires starting over and earning less for a while, do you have a prudent reserve, or could you start saving now and set a goal and a life plan? Could you change your lifestyle for a short time in exchange for long-term gain?

5.   Get smart with finances

If your income is likely to reduce during your career transition, plan ahead.

Could you rent out a room, reduce unnecessary spending or take on part-time work while you retrain?

Track your income and outgoings for several weeks and identify where you could make savings.

Having a financial plan can make a career change feel much less overwhelming and give you greater confidence to move forward.

What's stopping you?

You can stay exactly where you are, or you can find the confidence to take your life in a completely new direction by changing your career, role or employer.

What's stopping you?

You can do it.

Make it happen.

After all, it's your time to shine.

Whatever you decide, I wish you every success on your career journey.