Thinking of changing careers? If so, you are in excellent company — it’s estimated that between 50 and 80 percent of employed individuals want a new job. These people could probably use a few practical tips that will help them prepare for the jobs they dream of transitioning to. Continue reading if you could benefit from tips like these.
Do These 3 Things Before You Change Careers
We all know what to do to start a new job well. But, what should one do before changing careers? Here are a few ideas:
- Volunteer – Volunteering isn’t just a nice thing to do; it is also an incredibly powerful tool for helping you discover your calling. Those considering a new career should try volunteering at an organization similar to one they’d like to work for. Volunteering will give a job seeker firsthand information that cannot be gained any other way than through experience. It also looks great on a resume.
- Earn a graduate certificate – You might want to rethink the belief that you have to have a graduate degree to get the job you really want. In some fields, a graduate certificate will suffice. Besides ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your choice of career, a graduate certificate increases your value as a job candidate. The U.S. News article Short-Term Certificates May Offer Alternative to Graduate School quoted Tom Darling, national director of workforce education at Pearson: “Certifications, as you progress in your career, are all about making you more employable.” The article also said that certificates in the IT field, in particular, make a job candidate especially valuable.
- Take online classes – The cheapest, quickest, easiest way to grow your skill set and upgrade your resume is to take online classes. In many cases, online courses are free. The fact that they can be accessed 24/7 from any device with a Web browser and access to the Internet makes online classes even more appealing. Scott Singer shared that the most cost-effective sources for online classes include Harvard University’s Open Learning Initiative, edX, and Coursera. He wrote, “There is absolutely no reason you can’t take a course and add it to your resume. Doing so could boost both your skills and your credentials, and would also provide you with valuable keywords that may elevate your resume.”
If you’ve never switched careers, you are in the minority; the average person changes careers 5-7 times during their working life. Being between careers, or dreaming about the job you want while stuck in a job you don’t want, can be tough. Increase your odds of landing that dream job by volunteering, earning a graduate certificate, or taking online classes. These actions can make the waiting game go by much faster.
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