Do you find yourself dreading your morning commute? And even if you can work from home, are you still dreading “going to work”? Do you watch the clock at your office until your shift is finally over? If this scenario sounds relatable, you may be interested in switching to a career path that allows you to explore your passions. And even if you don’t have a college degree, NoDegree can help you find a job where your skills and experience will be assets.
Here’s how to navigate your career change and find fulfillment in a new job.
Reflect on Your Passions
First, it can be helpful to sit down and think deeply about your interests and passions. What would you do if you did not have to think about money? How do you spend your free time? Which hobbies bring you the most happiness? In what ways can you use your talents to serve those around you? Feel free to write down your thoughts in a notebook. Don’t rush this process — it’s good to clarify what you truly want out of your career! (Still feeling stuck? Another blog post will explore this topic further.)
Conduct Informational Interviews
Maybe you’ve settled on a few potential fields that would be a good fit for you, but you’re not sure of what your day-to-day life would look like in these industries. Or maybe you’re not certain if your experience has truly prepared you for what you want to do next. Try scheduling informational interviews with people who already have the jobs you want. The Muse recommends preparing your questions in advance so that you can easily keep the conversation flowing.
Get Qualifications Online
Perhaps you’ve settled on a new career path, but you know that you’re not truly qualified for the position you want to hold in the future. In that case, it may be time to invest in education and training so that you can get up to speed.
A good place to start looking is online.There are plenty of online platforms that provide online training. A few low cost options to consider are Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy. If you’re looking to go into the IT industry, look into coding bootcamps or online degree programs in IT. Alternatively, you could consider studying a subject like nursing or psychology.
Try Freelancing
What if you want to gain some real-world experience in your new, chosen industry before you begin responding to job openings? Consider offering your services as a freelancer! This will allow you to sharpen your skills, build up a portfolio, and show potential employers examples of your work. Plus, you’ll make valuable connections that could lead to a full-time position.
Send Out Applications
You’ve polished your resume, researched your new industry, and assembled a portfolio of your work. Now it’s time to begin sending out job applications. In addition to searching for job openings online, you can also rely on networking. Connecting with other professionals online and at networking events (at a physically safe distance of course, until we can get back to in-person events) can be really helpful. If you make great connections and someone offers to help you, make sure to follow up.
When you write cover letters, you can highlight why you’ve decided to look for work in a new industry and discuss how your previous jobs have prepared you for this change. Wondering how you can prepare for interviews? Read some of the most commonly asked interview questions here.
If you feel unsatisfied in your current position, you might be ready to take the leap and focus on finding a job you’re truly passionate about. Realizing that it’s time for a major career change can be nerve-wracking. But with these helpful tips, you’ll be ready to tackle your search and land a job that you genuinely love.
If you’re wondering how to approach your job search without a college degree, get started here.
Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels
***
About the Writer
Gloria Martinez loves sharing her business expertise and hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses and seek promotions in the workplace. Her brainchild, Women Led, is an avenue for her vision to help women advance in the workplace and celebrate their achievements.
