Firstly, let’s start with this question: ‘Is it too late to make a career change’?
What do you think about this?
What do you believe is possible?
Why do you think it could be too late to make a career change?
Who decides that it’s too late for a career change?
I ask you these four questions because how you answer them will determine how you read this article and what you take away and implement.
Our lives change. We change. The world changes. And it's ok for us to change our jobs - careers evolve, develop, we un-learn, re-learn, grow, and take action.
In my 22-year career working within HR, Recruitment, Coaching and Training, I have seen careers transition, change, and people evolve. We no longer have a job for life, the world of work has developed into hybrid working, freelancing, multi-passionate work, and remote working.
Why do you think people feel it’s too late to make a career change?
Our environment
Our beliefs
Our mindset
Our self-talk
Our doubts
Our age
Our financial situation
Our confidence
We don’t feel it’s possible
We don’t know others who have make a ‘brave career change’
It’s overwhelming, it’s scary and you are fearful.
Lack of experience
As you can see the list can be huge and I could go on and on…
In this article I want to share ways for you to approach a career change and to encourage you to own your personal and professional development - it’s never too late.
Changing careers will keep your brain active by presenting you with new challenges. If you feel like you've been stuck on autopilot for a while, maybe it's time to shake things up and take on some new kinds of projects at a totally different job. You deserve a work environment that doesn't stress you and you deserve to be fulfilled and love your work.
Our habits and behaviours are a result of the decisions and choices we make daily.
Life is all about change, change is great but can also be seen as negative.
How do you feel about change?
Career Change – what is this and what does it mean?
Changing career is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, but whatever your reasons for wanting to do something different, a carefully planned move can turn out to be incredibly rewarding and purposeful.
If you've got your heart set on changing careers, the first thing you'll need to do is research. For some careers you may need to consider further study or professional training. It's never too late to retrain in another field or industry - having life experience behind you when heading back to university can work to your advantage. If you're happy with your current work conditions but you'd like a new challenge you don't necessarily have to change jobs - enquire with your HR department or manager about any available continuing professional development opportunities.
Once you know the path you'd like to pursue, you can start seeking opportunities. Update your professional profiles to clearly state your intention to change industries and give details of the skills and experience you have that will be well-suited. The benefits of changing careers and finding fulfilling work can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, your relationships, your self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Reasons why it could be time for a career change.
You are bored and need a new challenge.
The opportunities in the world/industry/market are available to you.
Your values have changed.
You want to focus on other things.
Your passions have changed, and you want to use your energy differently.
Health has affected you and you want different things.
You’re not happy.
How can you own your career development?
Start with self-reflection. Get to know your values, what matters most to you, and what kind of work brings you joy and satisfaction.
Self-develop, read, and listen to podcasts to develop your thinking.
Think of your career as a process, not a ladder
You are the driver of your career - be proactive!
Mentors and Coaches are invaluable; seek them out. Coaches help you to stay in a state of belief, they believe in you even when you don't believe in yourself.
Career change considerations - volunteer to test out whether this is an option for you.
Learn new skills to embrace your natural talents.
9 ways to develop your career.
Embrace your strengths.
Identify your talents, skills, and career timeline from younger days to present.
Get to know your authentic self (the inner you: “you can never establish a personal relationship without opening up your own heart”).
Know your skill gaps and get to work on them (develop yourself).
Map out your career development plan.
My ♡ Heart-Centered Approach to help you take positive steps to your career change:
It’s ok to start again.
Start late.
Be unsure.
Act differently.
Try and still succeed.
“Life is a product of personal adventure; what you do today determines where you end up tomorrow”.
I share all that I have shared in this article after having experienced immense grief as a young child when losing our mum to cancer (3 generations of cancer), me hating school, having had a successful career within recruitment and HR then experiencing burnout, retraining and starting over several times within my career, and also navigating a cancer journey of my own – all under the age of 40.
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Being heart-centred means that we approach life from a place of inner strength, reality, courage, integrity with authenticity and truth. We move from an ego driven space to a place where life flows more easily, we are heart-centred.
Remember you have a HEART in you, we are all unique and we all have a purpose. Seeking deeper insight and alignment, it’s time to make the career change. It’s not too late…..
Career….
Considerations. What could your options be, what do you need to consider, the courage you need, and confidence to create the change.
Actions and what will your approach be? Big journeys begin with small steps. Do you need to save, financial plan, succession plan, create specific actions to make this career change happen? What could it be? What sacrifices do you need to make?
Research. What research do you need to do? Job boards, qualifications, volunteering, retraining.
Energy. Ensure you have the right energy levels. physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional.
Employability. The career change needs to be employable, whether it’s for employed or self-employed work. Looking at all the options, understanding your career history, your career timeline, and what skills you have developed uptown and what you need to do differently for the career change.
Relationship building. Networking and developing relationships to understand what you can do to create the ‘right action for you’ to create the career change. Leverage your contacts and connections. You don’t know who you will meet on the way up in your career, the way down and sideways. Always develop strong relationships.
Self-discovery questions and Intentional Thoughts
What do you love?
What are you passionate about?
What type of lifestyle and workstyle do you want?
Who are you?
What do you want?
What do you stand for?
Who do you know who has done what you would like to do – how do you think they did it?
Decide on what you want
➵ Commit to the vision and plan
➵ Focus on every single step
➵ Succeed
To everything there is a process.
Always an opportunity to learn.
The Top 10 Steps to Success
1. Try, try again, Try once more,
2. Try it a little differently 3. Try it again tomorrow 4. Try and ask for help 5. Try and find someone who has done it 6. Try to determine what is not working 7. Try to determine what is working 8. Just keep trying 9. Try again 10. Try once more
Resources:
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