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July 22, 2022 Fabienne Revillard

10 Tips for Changing Careers

Are you no longer fulfilled in your job? Is your job no longer in line with your values? It's obvious that you need to make a change in your career path. Professional retraining seems to be the most appropriate solution. But you've got a lot of questions, and it's hard to find the right information and answers. In this article, AAA+ Coaching & Formation is here to help you with 10 tips for changing careers.

Career Change Tip #1: Don't Wait

You've been thinking about changing jobs for a while. Don't wait to start looking into it.

Retraining is first of all a mental process. The more you clarify what is confusing, the more concrete the realization of this professional project becomes.

You don't know what to do?

Don't hesitate to call on a professional who will ask you the right questions and take stock. And above all "force" you to think about it in depth and finally answer them.

Tip 2: Find meaning

Most people who want to change careers have an underlying desire for fulfillment. In this sense, a truly successful career change includes a new job that makes sense to you.

Implicit motivations include the desire to contribute to something greater than oneself. This is called life aspiration, self-realization, life mission. This is often a general theme that has always touched us in particular. For some it is to contribute to the human being, or to peace, or to justice... It can also be science, the environment, art or even animals...

The list is long, it is a matter of being aware of what is closest to you.

Tip 3: Get rid of negative thoughts

You consider a change of direction and immediately your negative thoughts start to flow:

  • It's not the right time to change
  • I don't have the energy to learn a new trade
  • Changing my line of work at my age is impossible.

In short, for most of us, it is simply a fear reaction to change. This is quite normal in the days when we lived in tribes and change was synonymous with danger. Our reptilian brain has apparently not had time to adapt.

This brings us to Tip 4.

10 Tips for Changing Careers

Tip 4: Use your mind to get used to the change

Our ability to think (our mind) is very powerful. Unfortunately, it is often deleterious when we are constantly repeating negative things, but we can use it to change our state of mind.

You want to evolve, you would like to start a new professional adventure?

Define it! Imagine it's good, you've reached your goal, you're doing your dream job.

How is it?

Write a script as if everything you write is magical and will come true. Don't be afraid to go into detail. And every morning take 5 minutes to really feel what it would feel like if it were already there. Then the desired change in career path is no longer perceived as threatening, but as desirable.

And the related opportunities you may encounter are no longer likely to create stress, but a desire to seize them without hesitation.

Congratulations, you've just put in place a winning mindset.

Tip 5: Take a skills assessment

Even more important if you want to change industries. It is essential that you are aware of your "transferable" skills. This can save you the long and often tedious process of starting over.

If you have already done a skills assessment, simply complete it. In addition to listing all of your current skills, the skills assessment builds your confidence and self-esteem. And from experience, I realize that we can never have enough when it comes to starting a new career.

Tip 6: Test your ideas against reality

Be careful, do it only after the previous 5 points! Not before! You might limit yourself and miss out on your new ideal professional life.

You have summarized your skills and abilities and defined a little better what you want, as well as your motivations. Now it's time to consider the barriers, constraints, and job market and identify the different opportunities available to you. Perhaps you need to take a training course. Or maybe you want to start your own business.

It is possible that the professional change you are considering cannot be immediate. In this case, are you well enough professionally to "last" the time of the training or business creation?

If not, perhaps a reduction in working hours or a change of team or leader should be considered.

If your current working conditions are toxic, it's a good time to simply change jobs. Find the same job but at a different company.

10 Tips for Changing Careers

Tip 7: Plan ahead

A change of path implies taking into account all your constraints. You have taken stock of your financial constraints, your time constraints, your possible family constraints.

You can consider taking the plunge right away, but be careful not to develop burnout. You may need a few years to set aside the money to make this transition smooth transition.

You can then consider a short-term change of job that may or may not involve part-time work. Use this part-time for any professional training that you have identified as useful. Or decide to take individual training leave and negotiate it with your company.

In the medium term (2-5 years), you are equipped to give a new direction to your career and change profession.

And in the longer term, you have changed your vocation and are completely fulfilled professionally.

Tip 8: Take concrete action

How to change?

Wherever you are in your thinking process, if you're stuck for concrete action, consider a coaching.

This is usually an excellent first step. The rest comes naturally. A coach professional not only helps you at any stage of your career transition, but also in your job search. It helps you to define your communication about your career path and your change of vocation.

In a very concrete way, it accompanies you on the update of your CV and cover letter. He also trains you to answer difficult questions in a job interview.

10 Tips for Changing Careers

Tip 9: Engage your "adventure mode

Many people view their conversion process as tedious.

Avoid!

Find ways to put some fun into your career change.

Ask around, contact people who have succeeded in the profession you are considering.

Work with professionals. Start new trainings.

Each meeting is an opportunity for a gift of life. Beyond the useful information for you, you will probably discover beautiful people.

Trainings are also opportunities to expand your network and perhaps even develop new friendships.

With an adventurous spirit, you're more likely to come out a winner.

Tip #10: Congratulations on your success! Remember to encourage others!

That's it, you've chosen another path, you've changed direction!

It may not be a radical reorientation, but you have a sense of self-realization.

It may even be a new life, you feel like a fish in the water, really fulfilled.

Fertilize your experience, encourage the people around you who are considering a possible reconversion.

It is possible that, like you perhaps at the beginning, these people doubt, remain blocked.

What better way to share your journey, the obstacles you have overcome and your ultimate success!

10 Tips for Changing Careers

For further information, please contact Fabienne Revillard.

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