Are you stuck in a job that doesn’t feel right? Want to switch careers but don’t know where to start? Sachin shares his story of how he broke away from the usual career path rules to find something he truly loves.
When you have a career you enjoy, staying motivated and feeling rewarded comes naturally. But if this doesn’t sound like you, it might be time to find a job that truly makes you happy and keeps you interested.
It was one of the hardest times in my life.
On the outside, I had a good job at a well-known company. I had been promoted several times, had a mortgage, traveled for work, and had great prospects.
But inside, I felt unfulfilled. I didn’t enjoy my work, felt like I wasn’t using my full potential, and wished I could wake up feeling like my work made a difference.
I had no idea what else I could do.
I struggled for years to figure out how to change, but I didn’t make any progress.
Eventually, as you’ll read below, I found my way to the other side. But it wasn’t an easy journey.
Here are the lessons I learned along the way.
In this article, we’ll discuss why people often look for how to find a new career, steps to transition smoothly, and tips for finding the right job for you.
How To Find A New Career in 8 Steps
Changing careers is a big decision, especially if you are finding a new career. It’s important to find a new job that helps you grow, uses your skills, and makes you feel accomplished.
How to find a new career?
Here are some steps for how to find a new career:
- Evaluate your skill set
- Think about your interests
- Discover your personality type
- Determine your ideal salary
- Research requirements
- Consider your strengths
- Establish your ideal work environment
- Leverage your network
1. Evaluate your skill set
Make a list of all your skills, both professional and personal. Include things like marketing, which you might use at work, and drawing, which could be a hobby. Rank these skills to see what you’re best at and what new careers might fit you.
Include both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are specific to jobs, like computer programming or bookkeeping. Soft skills are more about your personality, like communication, creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
2. Think about your interests
Consider what you enjoy doing both at work and in your free time. Try to find careers that match these interests.
For example, if you love figuring out how machines work, you might enjoy being a mechanic or engineer. This can help you find a more fulfilling career.
3. Discover your personality type
Learn about your personality to find jobs you might enjoy and excel in. Taking a personality test can help.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, for example, sorts you into one of 16 personality types. Knowing your type can guide you toward suitable careers, like sales and marketing if you’re an extrovert.
4. Determine your ideal salary
Figure out how much money you want to make and what your living expenses are. This will help you identify careers that can meet your financial needs.
As you explore options, also think about benefits like health insurance or flexible work schedules.
5. Research requirements
Look into what qualifications you need for the new career you’re considering. Compare these requirements to what you already have.
For example, to switch to nursing, you would need a nursing degree. Understanding these requirements will help you decide if further training is worth it and how long it might take.
6. Consider your strengths
Reflect on your past work experiences and successes to see how they might help in a new career.
Think about your strengths outside of work too. Ask friends, family, or coworkers for their insights. This can help you find careers that match your experience and skills.
7. Establish your ideal work environment
Think about where and how you like to work.
- Do you prefer an office setting or working remotely?
- Do you like a quiet office or a busy, open space?
Also, consider if you prefer a regular 9-to-5 schedule or if you like varied hours, including nights and weekends.
8. Leverage your network
Talk to people you know about your career change plans. Ask about their experiences, especially if they’ve switched careers themselves. Your network can also connect you with people in the industry you’re interested in.
8 Tips to Finding a New Career
When it comes to finding a new career, it is a bit challenging. The above listed ways to find a new career will definitely help you find your career of your choice.
However, you might be wondering, are there any tips and tricks to find a new career?
Well, here are some:
8 Tips and tricks to find a new career:
Here are some tips and tricks to find a new career:
Take career quizzes
Attend networking events
Be kind to yourself
Request informational interviews
Consider professional development courses
Explore internal opportunities
Talk to a recruiter
Update your resume
1. Take career quizzes
Career quizzes can help you identify your strengths, list your skills, and suggest potential jobs. It can also be helpful to take quizzes that give you insights into your personality, work habits, and leadership style.
2. Attend networking events
Networking is important for building professional connections. Keep networking in your current industry, but also attend events in industries you’re interested in. This will help you learn what it’s like to work in those fields.
3. Be kind to yourself
Changing careers is a big decision and can feel overwhelming. Be patient with yourself as you explore new job options and apply for positions in different industries.
4. Request informational interviews
Informational interviews can help you learn from professionals in certain careers. Start by asking people in your network, prepare a list of questions, and be open to hearing all aspects of the career path.
5. Consider professional development courses
Training courses can help you improve old skills or learn new ones for your desired job. Look for flexible online courses that fit into your schedule.
6. Explore internal opportunities
If you like your current employer but want a different role, there might be internal opportunities. Ask your manager or the HR department about chances to work with other departments or do a job shadow.
7. Talk to a recruiter
Recruiters and career coaches can help you understand your skills and find potential job opportunities. They also have many connections in different industries to help you find a new career.
8. Update your resume
It’s important to tailor your resume for each job you apply for, especially in a new industry. Look at example resumes in your desired field and find ways to translate your current experiences to match.
Also Read: How to write a standout resume?
What You Need to Know in Order to Find a New Career?
If you’re feeling stuck in your career change, there are three main challenges you’ll likely face. Let’s break them down in simple terms:
1. You are both the solution and the problem:
When I was unhappy with my job, there were clear signs everywhere.
I dreaded talking about my work at social events, couldn’t see myself in higher positions at my company, and feared reaching old age without being proud of my career. I felt numb and uninspired by the repetitive, meaningless tasks I faced every day.
Despite wanting change, I had no idea what else I could do. I only knew my current industry and had a limited view of other career options.
I was also scared of earning less money, worried about what my family and friends would think, and afraid of losing the status I had worked so hard to achieve. These fears and lack of knowledge were my biggest obstacles.
Does this sound familiar to you too?
2. You can’t figure it out by just thinking about it:
In my job, I was paid to think and solve problems, so I thought I could figure out my career change the same way.
I spent hours in bed analyzing my options, read countless career change books, searched online for advice, and took many personality tests. But I still didn’t find clarity.
The truth is, if you could solve your career change by thinking more, making lists, reading more books, or taking tests, you would have done it by now.
3. You won’t find a job by just searching for one:
When I started looking for a new job, I turned to recruitment consultants. They offered me similar roles at different companies, but none of them excited me. I wanted something completely different, and they couldn’t help with that.
You might have spent hours on job sites or sending your resume to different fields, only to feel more discouraged when you don’t meet the experience or skill requirements.
The traditional job market isn’t designed for career changers, so it’s not your fault if you’re not finding opportunities that match your new interests.
What You Need to Do in Order to Find a New Career?
There are solutions to these challenges, but they might not be what you expect (they weren’t for me at first):
1. Do it with others, not alone:
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller.
One of the hardest things I faced when trying to change careers was inertia. I wanted to change but didn’t want to risk the security of my current job. I was comfortably uncomfortable.
I’d have bursts of motivation to change things, but then life would take over, and I’d realize months later that nothing had changed.
Progress only started when I involved others. I found colleagues who also wanted to leave, hired two career coaches, and started meeting different people. One of these connections led me to a job I loved.
Being around others brought new ideas, connections, and accountability, which finally moved me forward.
Think of your career change as a journey, not a quick trip. Like climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest, you could do it alone, but it’s safer, faster, and more fun with others.
2. Act it out, don’t figure it out:
“Ideas occur when dissimilar universes collide.” – Seth Godin.
It took me four and a half years to leave a career that wasn’t right for me. Most of that time, I was stuck overthinking.
A coach once told me, “Richard, it’s like you’re standing in a forest with several paths in front of you. But you’re paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. If you don’t take any path, you’ll never leave the forest. If you take one, it might not be right, but you can adjust.”
When I started taking action instead of just thinking, things changed.
I took a part-time journalism course. I enjoyed it but quickly realized it wasn’t for me as a career. I shadowed friends in PR and investment banking. Both were interesting, but neither fit.
By stepping into different worlds, I sparked ideas and ruled out options, rather than leaving them as unanswered questions in my mind. I tested ideas without quitting my day job, which helped me figure out what I wanted.
Finally, thanks to an introduction, I walked into a social start-up and knew immediately it was for me. Meeting the team and feeling the energy made all the difference.
In short, taking action leads to clarity, not the other way around.
3. Look for people, not for jobs:
“Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for a person.” – Ben Casnocha.
Job sites, recruitment consultants, and resumes have their place, but they’re not the best starting point.
Focus on connecting with people. Meeting people allows you to present your whole self, which a resume can’t do.
I’m an introvert, so I didn’t network in big events. Instead, I had one-on-one meetings and phone calls with people in roles that interested me.
It took time and led to many dead ends, but eventually, it brought me to a role in a field I hadn’t known existed. This approach helped me avoid the strict filtering of traditional job applications.
I wasn’t “qualified” for the job at the social start-up, but I had enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, which didn’t show on my resume. I got the job by building relationships, doing pro-bono work, which led to consultancy work, and eventually a full-time position.
Even though I had a terrible interview for the role, the relationships I had built helped me get the job anyway.
Remember: people first, jobs second.
Final Thoughts:
Finding a new career can be challenging, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. Remember to explore your interests, evaluate your skills, and connect with people who can help you along the way.
Taking small, actionable steps and staying open to new experiences can lead you to a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and strengths.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try different things; this will give you a clearer idea of what you truly enjoy and where you can thrive.
“To know and not to do is not yet to know.” – Buddhist proverb.
Making a career change isn’t easy; if it were, everyone would do it. But it is possible.
There are countless success stories that show it can be done.
Remember, this isn’t just about your career; it’s about your life. It’s about how you feel each morning, how it affects your health and relationships, and the impact you can make on the world by being passionate about what you do.
The stakes are high, but they’re even higher if you do nothing about it.
Ultimately, changing careers is not just about finding a new job; it’s about improving your overall quality of life.
The process might be daunting, but taking proactive steps will help you move forward. Embrace the journey and focus on the positive changes it can bring to your daily life, health, relationships, and overall happiness.
Next Steps:
Evaluate your skills and interests.
Network with people in fields that interest you.
Take action by trying new experiences and learning from them.
Seek guidance from career coaches or mentors.
Update your resume to reflect your new career goals.
So, don’t just read this article. Take action because of it. And let me know how it goes.
Hey, I am Sachin Ramdurg. I run and manage futuredecider.com website that helps students, graduates, and professionals, to find and decide on their future career with ultimate future career advices and future career guides. I have an overall 12+ years of career guidance experience in multiple domains which has helped multiple students, graduates, and professionals to find the best career path for their future.