Feeling the need for a change? Here are 3 important first steps when you want to change careers.
3 Important First Steps When You Want to Change Careers
It’s not unusual to hit a place in life where you think, “I need a do-over with my career.”
Many of the coachees I work with start out feeling overwhelmed by the thought of changing careers. They know they need a change, they want a change…but they have no idea what it is that they do want.
That’s why coaching is so helpful. As a career coach, I can walk with you through the process.
Everyone is different, but here are 3 basics that help many people when starting off the career-change process.
Re-discover, re-define and re-brand
The first thing you need to do if you’re thinking about a career change is to re-discover yourself: Who you are and why you are! Everyone changes over time…or maybe a lousy job or an obnoxious boss gets you so distracted or stressed that you forget who you really are. The first step in career change needs to be re-discovering yourself. No kidding. When’s the last time you took a personality test? Let’s start with remembering YOU.
Download these freebie links to personality tests. You’ll be glad you did.
Download this freebie.
Don’t just take your tests! Read the results and write notes to yourself about the things that most resonate with you. (Start a self-discovery journal!)
Next, on your journey of self-discovery, redefine yourself by writing a fresh personal mission statement. Download this guide to take you step-by-step through the process.
Download this helpful guide.
Now, you’re ready to re-brand. Is there anything you need to update in your skill set, your networking, your lifestyle? Get to it!
It helps to know who you are, why you are and that you are creating yourself well! Now, you’re ready for the next step.
Define your network
Networking is key to job hunting in this interconnected world. Who you know matters and will help (if you’ve been a pleasant person- if you haven’t, get busy re-branding yourself). Make a list of influencers and connecters in your world. Look at:
- Your email list
- Your LinkedIn and other online professional/social connecters
- Your organizations
- Your immediate and extended family and friends
Update your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is always updating. Check to see if you’ve made yourself optimally available. Here’s a post on spiffing up your LinkedIn profile.
Click image to read post.
Got these 3 important steps under control? You’re ready to start the career change. It helps to work with a coach through this process. Schedule an appointment with me to help you make life-changing career changes.
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