It’s a well-known fact that the ‘job for life’ concept of generations past is now evolving. One of the best things about the modern job market is that it’s much easier to switch careers and still make a real success. Forward-thinking companies also encourage staff to explore internal opportunities, so starting off in sales could transform into an IT, administration or customer liaison role. Here’s how to navigate this new climate of endless opportunities.
Find your true passion
Discovering what you’re truly passionate about is a great way to re-focus your priorities and will inspire you to look for new and exciting challenges. What would you do if money weren’t a factor? What are your hidden talents?
Remember: if you can demonstrate passion employers will take notice, even if you’ve got minimal direct experience of a particular role.
Update your CV
A CV should always be up-to-date in case a dream job comes along and you need to apply immediately. It will also remind you of what you’ve achieved so far which will boost your confidence as you consider a change in career.
Remember: target your CV for that job you really want, using keywords and highlighting any relevant experience.
Get networking
Meeting other career-minded people – either socially, at a company-wide event or at something more formal like a job fair – is important to remind yourself of the existing volume of working opportunities. You may also benefit from seeking out those companies or individuals that you admire and following them on social media.
Remember: it’s equally important to widen your online network to make yourself known as a job-seeking candidate.
Research, research, research
It’s never been easier to find information about a company to see whether you’d be a good fit – these days this goes beyond researching their website. The Internet is a fantastic way to dig a little deeper into those companies that interest you and find out whether they share your values and passions. Somewhere like the Glassdoor website includes employee reviews, salaries and interview experiences.
Remember: Twitter and Facebook can also reveal a lot about how a company views itself and its customers.
Go back to school
Found a career that excites you and you feel passionate about but you don’t have the skills to make the switch? Don’t let that put you off. There are plenty of part-time, evening, and weekend courses that can help you acquire the necessary qualifications; you may even find that you can complete part – or all – of the course online.
Remember: The working world is full of administrators who became accountants or customer support staff who found they had a flair for project management. It’s never too late to change your career.
Look closer to home
If you already work for a large company, take a look at the vacancies available outside of your immediate department or division. If an opportunity looks attractive you’ll have an advantage – as an internal candidate you already understand the culture of the company and have a track record of what you’ve achieved so far.
Remember: progressive companies are always willing to give existing employees a fair hearing when it comes to a career switch.
At Enterprise, we’re great believers in encouraging people to develop their careers in more interesting and fulfilling ways. Why not take a look at our graduate opportunities, internships and other roles today?
