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Changing Careers During a Pandemic? Are you crazy?

Ask yourself this….Can I change jobs now in 2020? Do I want to do it? Is it realistic given that we are living through a pandemic?

With that said, I want to share with you some tips that could be life changing or very impactful for the way you live and enjoy your work. Maybe your job is not satisfying or maybe you are just tired of your role and want a change. Whatever your reasons, the million dollar question is, is anyone actually hiring during a pandemic?

The answer may be very surprising to you.

Realizing that a job (or industry) isn’t for you, and deciding to make a change, can be very difficult, in the best of times, let alone a pandemic. Here’s the thing, if you’re thinking about it enough, it’s probably worth considering. When you feel like you’re in the wrong place it can be discouraging, depressing and maybe causing you some anxiety and stress. So what happens next is that you stop caring about your role, your productivity levels go down which will have negative impacts on your work, your internal career prospects begin to decrease and it may affect your mental health.

Why would you want to spend your next year or two or three this way? When I talk to employees, the happiest employees are proud and enjoy their work. They find meaning in what they do, and if that doesn’t seem familiar to you, it might be time to reconsider your job or career. And yes, even during a pandemic.

So changing jobs or a career can be daunting and it could mean some big life changes, and that’s scary. But having regret can be even more frightening.

So here are some reasons why this might be a good time to make a career change:

  •  Leverage your network.
    Whether you are starting your career, are mid-career, or an executive seeking new horizons, you’ve likely met a lot of people, and have an established network of contacts who can help get you in the door in a new industry or company. They can also introduce you to key decision makers, reducing the amount of time you need to spend at the bottom of a new industry or company. So its important to get out there and have those conversations.
  • Some skills are transferrable.
    Although you may lack specific industry experience, you’re already well-versed or have some experience of the ins and outs of the working world. You likely have a solid understanding of what it takes (i.e.: soft skills) to navigate and adjust to new teams or working styles. Your enthusiasm about your new role is key and don’t be afraid to express this!
  • You may end up earning more.
    Making a career switch may increase your current compensation in time but be patient. In time, your new role along with your experience from previous industries could even push you into management roles you never expected to find yourself in.

So where do you start?

Honest introspection is a critical first step in figuring out what direction you want to move in.

This will require a good deal of due diligence and a lot of research. So ask yourself, what is it that really excites and motivates you? Do you need a different work environment? What sort of day-to-day tasks do you prefer? Is there an industry that really interests you? Once you have the answers to these questions, you might start to see a pattern emerging. And when you do, you’re ready to take the next step.

Here Are Some Tips To Set Yourself Up For A Successful Career Transition

  • Get out there and discreetly make it known you are considering a change 
  • Take on a temporary assignment within your company or if you are notworking – take a temp role – find out if you like the company, the work and the opportunities that exist within 
  • Get skilled or trained in the area you want to move into 
  • Meet with a Recruiter or Talent Management Specialist and get them working for you

If your work isn’t satisfying you, then you owe it to yourself to find a career and wash away that ho-hum attitude and do something you are passionate about. Courage is about having persistence and being diligent in your pursuit of happiness. Your progress will come, but patience and time may be required and that’s okay.

Remember, it is a step by step process.

So once you have figured out what you want and what you need to do to get it, then take a deep breath and “get’r’done”.

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