Have you been sitting at your desk wondering if this will be your life for the next 30 years? Are you constantly looking at job advertisements in different industries? Do you have a dream job but have never felt confident enough to change paths?
As women we tend to put ourselves last. We have a vision for where we’d like to end up, but then often find ourselves too busy, too tired or too stressed to make the changes we want to see.
Women make career changes for many different reasons. Client Service and Graphic Design Administrator Kate Noller had worked in event management for seven years when she decided to pursue another interest.
“I loved my job but after time the hours and stress were taking their toll on me and my life. I struggled to have time to see family and relax as I was so mentally exhausted after work each week,” she tells Women’s Agenda.
Deciding to prioritise her health, Noller made a sea change in order to change careers. “I knew that work would be a major adjustment for me — going from such a busy, fast paced job — but I needed to find a balance before it took a toll on my health and happiness.”
She recommends all women considering a career change should go for it. “I was worried I would struggle with the adjustment or get bored but my new career is challenging and rewarding. It allows me to develop new skills.”
If changing career is the vision you see for yourself you need to set goals, establish a timeline and really plan where you want to see yourself in the future. There are eight imperative steps you need to take to be successful in your career move.
- Make the decision. It sounds simple enough but making the decision to change your career is the first in a series of steps that will lead you to your future success. Write your goal down. Stick up notes on your desk, in your bathroom and in your car. Remind yourself of your goal whenever you can. Tomorrow never comes, you need to make the changes you want in your life today. Mother to four, Lauren Barnes, made the decision to change her career from music and teaching into psychology after she realised she was just trying to please everyone else, not herself, “I was doing what everyone expected me to do not what I am passionate about,” she tells Women’s Agenda. With a passion for human interaction and at-risk youth Laura is studying toward her psychology degree. “Life is so much better for it. I have such a better outlook on life.”
- Tell family and friends. A new career can be challenging and stressful; the support of family and friends is paramount to your success. Tell your significant other, your children and your friends what you plan on doing and how you are going to achieve it. Love and support is a truly understated part of a woman’s life. Begin to feel yourself become more motivated as your family and friends ask how you moving along in your search for a new career.
- Educate yourself. A new career isn’t just going to fall into your lap. You will need to educate yourself if you’re looking to enter a new industry. Find the channels that will give you the experience and qualifications required while not impacting too much on your current commitments. Online education like courses offered by Open Universities allow you to continue working while educating yourself in a new field. But be prepared for late nights and busy weekends as you juggle your new obligations.
- Give yourself time. Miracles don’t happen overnight. If you have an upper-management role you won’t automatically be placed in a role with similar authority in a brand new industry. New education and training take time and even when you’ve completed your training you may be a few rungs below where you were in your previous industry. Take the time to really learn about your chosen career and how you can succeed in that sector. Lauren Barnes notes that it’s worth investing in the time a career change may take “Despite the extra three years of university it is taking me [to be fully qualified], it has been worth the change. This is what I really want to do.”
- Bite the bullet. You’ve told you family, you’ve investigated and potentially undertaken the relevant training, so now comes the important part. Actually making the change. If you want to transition into your new career slowly reduce your work hours to part time. If you feel ready to take on the new role full throttle then bite the bullet and hand in your resignation. Nothing will motivate you more knowing that it’s now or never.
- Get your name out there. Update you CV. Search for the new job opportunities. Make a website for yourself or a professional Facebook page. If you’re starting a business get flyers made up and eNewsletters sent out. Make your name instantly recognisable.
- Network. Social media is your new best friend. Let all your professional networks know you are now working in a new industry. Join women’s networking groups like Business Chicks and Leaders in Heels. Talk to everyone and anyone about your new direction, you never know when you may meet someone who can help you along the way.
- Succeed. The most vital step to success in any career change is the belief that you actually will succeed. You’ve educated yourself, you’ve got your name out there and you are networking with everyone you know. You have taken all the steps required to make a successful career change, all that’s left if to reinforce your believe in yourself and work your way up the ladder.