Many people decide that they want to change careers at least once in their lifetime. It’s common to have different ambitions and desires in your 30s, 40s or 50s than in your teens and 20s, and often, our life experiences shape our career dreams later in life. If you’ve decided that you’d like to explore new opportunities or challenges, here are some helpful tips.
Choosing what to do
There is a seemingly endless list of jobs available today, so how do you go about choosing what you want to do? Everyone is different, but one thing it is important for all job seekers to focus on is passion. If you find a job that you love, work won’t feel arduous or stressful. There may be long, busy, hard days, but even the most taxing days will be rewarding. Use your interests, hobbies and your passions to inspire your career choices, and consider which jobs would suit your personality. If you’re a caring, nurturing person, for example, you may be interested in teaching or a job in the healthcare industry. We often talk about doctors and nurses, but there’s a vast array of roles on offer, including speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy to name but a few. It’s a great idea to research and find out more about jobs that might interest you. If you don’t know what an occupational therapist does, for example, or you’d like to know more about teaching assistants or mentors, it’s wise to gather information before you make a decision about your future career.
Giving yourself the best shot
In many cases, it is possible to change careers without having a raft of qualifications, but sometimes, it’s necessary to complete further study or training. If you have a dream job in mind, it’s beneficial to give yourself the best possible shot. Read job descriptions, make sure you have the necessary qualifications and try to gain as much experience as possible. If you don’t already have the qualifications you need, you could look into applying for courses or consider jobs that are linked to the role that don’t require academic qualifications or a minimum number of years of professional experience.
Interview and resume tips
Most people will submit a resume and attend an interview if they make the shortlist for a position. Competition is fierce in most industries and this means that you have to shine both on paper and in person. Your resume should be detailed but brief and it should be tailored to the job. Focus on your strengths, showcase your skills and use your cover letter to explain why you want the job. If you get an interview, take time to prepare, research the company or organization, arrive in plenty of time and try to stay calm. Think before you answer questions, let your personality come through and show how passionate you are about the role. Have confidence in your abilities.
If you’re a mom and you’re looking to change careers and embark upon a new adventure, take these tips on board to help you achieve your dreams.
