1. Evaluate Your Job Satisfaction
Keep a journal where you will record your daily reactions to your current field of employment and the recurring scenarios you find yourself in. what is it about this position you find attractive and what is especially uncomfortable? What are your greatest points of displeasure? Do you not like the content of your work, the culture of your company or the people with whom you interact on a daily basis? While you are making these vital observations take the time to do some other work at your old place of employment that will prepare such a change, should you deem one necessary?
2. Assess your interests, values, and skills
Take a look over your employment and academic history, as well as the projects, roles and other jobs you have had. Ask yourself if your needs and interests are truly being addressed through your current place of employment? If you’re not sure you will find plenty of free tools online that can allow you to assess career alternatives.
3. Consider alternative careers
You will find many ideas for alternative career options through simple research. You can also get ideas from friends, family and professional connections. If you still don’t have a clear idea of a good position for you, there are professional career counselors who can provide some guidance here.
4. Check out job options
You can begin with an investigation of several fields of employment and make some notes for deeper research. You might be surprised how much information is available online and the number of ideas you can find by just making an online search for the jobs that interest you.
5. Get First-Hand Information
Find out as much as you can about the fields of employment that interest you the most and get out there and reach people you might be connected to in those areas of employment. One good place to make these connections will be with your college network. You will also find a wealth of good options through expanding your LinkedIn networks.
6. Set up a job shadow (or two)
Ask if anyone from your college career office will be willing to host a job shadower. If you can spend a few hours a day shadowing people with interesting work you will get some firsthand experience on that job. Following is some more information about how this service works.
7. Try it out
See if there are any freelance or volunteer activities that can be related to your new field of interest. This will allow you to try some of them out while you get a feel for the workload. If you are interested in a career in publishing, consider volunteering to edit the PTA newsletter. If your interests are in the animal kingdom try volunteering at the animal shelter.
8. Take Classes
You might find that there are some courses to take that will allow you to apply your background in new fields and positions. You might consider taking online courses and spending time at local seminars. Take the time to contact professionals in the areas you are interested in for more information.
9. Upgrade your skills
Look for ways that your current job or position could be useful for launching your career change. If your work offers in house training, for example, sign up for all the training you can. There are many ways to reposition yourself in your career without going back to school.
10. Consider a new job in the same industry
Another idea would be to consider a new job within your industry. If you have skills in the retail sector but are tired of the responsibility of running a retail outlet, you might find a position as a corporate recruiter. If you are a programmer, you may consider a career in technical sales.
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