There has been a significant shift in the labor market over the past few years. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the rate of those who quit their jobs reached a
There are multiple reasons for seeking a career change including more flexibility, growth potential or simply seeking something more meaningful. Regardless of the reason, the same study found that
Self-reflection
Starting with reflecting and soul searching might sound obvious and be the reason why you are considering a career change to begin with; however, this is where many individuals get off track. It is human nature to want to identify the symptom of a problem, instead of the underlying problem itself. As a result, the solutions we identify either don’t work or are temporary at best. In order to ensure that the career shift is truly going to fulfill you in the end and isn’t just a “quick fix”, you need to identify the deeper issue causing the desire for this change.
Read more:
A simple technique to help you define the root of your problem is called the
Another way to reflect is to take an assessment such as
Identify possible solutions
Once you dig down to the root cause of the problem, the next step is to do some brainstorming to generate possible solutions. Oftentimes individuals want to solve problems as quickly as possible, leading them to dive too deep into one possible solution before laying them all out. It is crucial to resist the temptation to do this and wait until you have laid all of your ideas on the table before diving into evaluating them. If you skip this step, you may feel tempted to select the first acceptable solution instead of the one that is most optimal but hasn’t come to mind yet.
Read more:
A key to creative problem solving is being able to look at a problem from different perspectives, instead of just the one you are most comfortable with. Talking out your situation and potential solutions with another person can help to open your eyes to considerations that you initially missed. This will open your eyes to a new way of thinking and help you overcome any biases that may be narrowing your mind, even if you don’t know it.
Create a plan of action
Once the self-reflection and brainstorming phases are complete, the next step is to create a plan of action. You can start this process by listing potential action steps including talking to others in similar positions you are interested in, considering further education which could include a degree or certificate, attending industry meetings in your area of interest and any other actionable steps that will bring you closer to your end goal.
Before taking life-changing steps, be sure to consider whether or not you can make the career shift you are seeking within the organization you currently work for. It tends to be less of an overwhelming upheaval when you make career shifts within your company because you already have a level of goodwill and institutional knowledge built up. There will also be more of a willingness for both yourself and the organization to take this big step if you are already familiarized with the company and leaders of the organization.
Regardless of your reason for a career shift, this outlined process of identifying a root cause, brainstorming possible solutions and listing out actionable steps is necessary to your success in getting on the right path. The most important factor to consider is your happiness and fulfillment in your career. Even though the past few years have flipped the job market on its head, they have opened up so many opportunities for workers to seek out the fulfillment that they have long desired and find success and happiness in their day to day lives at work.
