How to change your career successfully

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” – Confucius

You have been working since you were 22, maybe even younger if you didn’t wait two years to join university.

Three years later you feel disillusioned and depressed.

You hate your job, to put it simply, and can’t imagine working in your career for much longer.

You have friends who are having the time of their lives in their careers, it almost seems like they should pay to work, not the other way round, while your career is not what you imagine it to be, money and all, and you desperately want out.

My boss during office meetings tells us: “If you feel this is not the career for you, you are still young you can change your career.” She is right!

But how do you go about making this sensitive decision that could change the rest of your life for better and sometimes for worse?

Career experts have come up with five pointers to ensure a smooth transition into the career of your dreams.

1. Do you really need to change your job or career?

You may have started off on the wrong foot in your current job, or maybe you have a boss that does not encourage your progress or makes you feel bad at your job.

This does not mean you throw the baby out with the bath water. Consider changing your job before you think of changing your career.

Maybe all you need is just a change of environment and a dose of encouragement and your attitude will change.

2. Do what makes you happy

When looking to change your career, concentrate on what makes you happy and ignore what you did before, after all it is what led you to this crisis.

But be careful when retraining yourself to focus on courses and training that can land you another job.

Some courses may not lead to a job while other yet will lead you to a career that is not compatible with your lifestyle.

It would be ridiculous for a mother of three toddlers to train as a DJ, which will mean spending most nights out and travelling most times.

3. Face your fears

Changing your career is not easy. You will have to deal with family members doubting you, friends questioning your intelligence loudly and the fear of falling on your face flat broke.

Richard Alderson, founder or Careershifters told The Guardian that most career changers hold themselves back by focusing on “their four Fs”: Family, Friends, Fear and Failure.

Free yourself from dogma and live the life you’ve always wanted.

4. Take small steps, no need to quit your job before you have a plan

Remember to plan your steps carefully. You can start by working freelance in the career you want.

Set up a business on the side that will enable you to have some financial stability as you work towards making it a full-time endeavour.

5. Re-do your CV

When applying for a new job in a new field, label yourself well by referring to yourself as a Video Editor or Sales executive instead of showing that you’re actually changing fields.

On your CV, be keen to play up relevant experience in the field instead of education or qualifications.

Also instead of looking for a job, look for people in the field who are influencers and can help you get your desired job.

There you have it, I wish you well in your exciting new journey.