(NC) Did you know the average person will change careers five to seven times during their life? Career changes are daunting, but taking steps towards finding your dream job can be very rewarding. Here are some tips to get you started.
Make time for introspection. Some key questions to ask yourself when considering a move include: Why do I want to change careers? What do and don’t I enjoy about my current career? What are the different types of jobs available where I live/want to live? What are the skills I’ve developed that can be transferred to new opportunities?
Answering these questions requires self-reflection and looking at the world around us. Record your answers. Seeing them in black and white/on paper will help you absorb and process your thoughts and may make your next step clear.
Network, network, network. Exploring your options can help to uncover surprising jobs. Connect with your friends to get a sense of the work they do and see if it interests you. Ask those same friends if they have connections you can speak with about their careers. Networking can help you learn more about the roles that exist.
Know your skills. When looking to change career paths, it’s important to rely on skills acquired from past roles if direct experience in the new field is lacking. To do this, look for online resources that can help you prepare for a change. For example, a new online tool called RBC Upskill helps identify skills developed from past experiences and then provides career possibilities based on those skills. Try the tool at rbcupskill.ca.
