Seven Steps to Making a Successful Career Change


My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe and make 2,430 copies of the Ten Commandments convinced me I was on the wrong career path!  OK, maybe I'm not quite THAT old. But I did start out as a secretary.  While I didn't mind the work, eventually I decided it wasn't very satisfying. I often felt like a "tool" that helped others contribute to the organization's success. I wanted to make my own contributions, to find creative ways to make a difference. It took me about 12 year to come to that conclusion, decide to do something about it, and change my life.

If you are not happy in your current job, perhaps it's time to think about making a change yourself.  Here's what you should do:

1.  Determine why you're not happy.  Are you really unhappy with the work you do, or just upset with your salary, boss, coworkers, or the office environment? There's a difference between hating your job and hating your work, and realizing that will help you decide what course to take.

2.  Find your passion.   What do you love doing more than anything else? List your top three favorite activities. Try to be a bit realistic here and choose activites that you might be able to earn a living with.  For instance, if your three favorite activities are sleeping, eating and watching TV, your career options are somewhat limited. But do include hobbies and activities one doesn't always associate with work.

3.  Evaluate your strengths.  What are you good at?  Consider more than just your technical skills. For example, do your prefer leading or following; analyzing or simplifying; working alone or with a group? 

4.  Do research. What career fields would allow you to use your passions and strengths to earn a reasonable living? There are some great online resources (such as www.jvis.com) that offer tools to help you do a self-assessment and then find careers that match your interests and skills: 

5.  Consider alternatives to jobs.  Some people go into business for themselves when they become fed up with their jobs. If you think simply switching careers isn't enough, look into that alternative and others, such as... marrying a millionaire, becoming a beach bum, winning the lottery, writing children's books, painting and selling pictures, doing consulting work... the sky's the limit!

6.  Create a plan.  Once you know where you want to go, figure out what steps you must take to get there.  Determine exactly what you need to do, how much time it will take, and what it will cost.  It's probably best not to leave your current job until you're ready and able to start earning money with your new job/venture.

7.  Get help.  You'll be amazed at how helpful people will be when you tell them your plans. Talk with family, friends, professional associates, club members; participate in topic-related online forums; NETWORK as much as possible!  Achieving great goals is always easier when you have others cheering you on and helping you out.

 

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Audit Manager- Insurance(London - London)

Management Opportunity in Insurance Audit! Scope of role - Audit Managers determine the scope of the audit, how to carry it out, and the testing strategy, in conjunction with the Senior Audit Manager - They are responsible for assigning individual...

Group Financial Accountant with Tax(West End, London)

A well known media company (FTSE 250) is looking to recruit a top-tier Chartered Accountant (ACA) to work from their prestigious headquarters in Central London. Responsibilities include involvement in top level matters for the Euromoney group...

Sub Ledger Business Analyst(London)

60000-75000 GBP Per Year Our client, a market-leading universal bank, currently seeks a high-quality, extensively experienced Business Analyst for their Accounting Sub-ledger, based in the City of London.This AVP-level role sits within transaction...

Assistant Accountant(Borehamwood, North West London)

Organisation DescriptionOur Client is a large reputable company in the retail sectorJob DescriptionThe ideal candidate will be able to perform the following Check bank account balances and update forecast sheetPrepare National StatisticsBook entries...

Accounting & Accounting Support jobs in London

Search over 300,000 jobs in the UK, Ireland, London jobs

Internal Implementation Payroll Consultant(Staines, Middlesex)

Internal Implementation Payroll Consultant - £25,000 to £30,000 plus excellent benefits If you possess strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, have managed payrolls from start to finish and have a desire to move into more of a project...

Property Client Accountant(London, South East England)

Our Client, a Property Management company that have a portfolio of residential and commercial properties are seeking a Service Charge Accountant role to join there team. The successful candidate will solely be responsible for the accounting function...

Accounts Payable Clerk(London)

19000-23000 GBP Per Year Accounts Payable Clerk - London - Media - £19k - £23kYour ProfileYou will have experience of working within an accounts payable role and have worked with all aspects of the purchase ledger. It is essential that...

Legal Credit Controller(London)

As a Credit Controller the main key objective of your role will be to maintain relationships with internal and external clients with a view to maximising cash collections. Key Tasks will include cash collection, resolution of account queries,...

Accounts Assistant(London, South East England)

Our client, a charity, requires a graduate with a degree in accounting finance to join the finance team as an Accounts Assistant. Reporting to the Finance Manager the Accounts Assistant will be fully responsible for the purchase ledger including;...

Credit Controller(London North)

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Credit Controller to join this rapidly expanding company based in North West London. You will be working in a team of 2 with shared responsibility for ledger of up to £30m. The company has trebled in size...

Qualified Accountant - 012384(London)

Qualified Accountant needed for a City Insurance Company based in London, this is a very strong Senior role and only Prince Qualified( Project Manager ) applicants should apply, Insurance industry knowledge is a must, SAP exposure a big plus and...

Joint Venture Project Accountant-ACCA,CIMA,ACA,CA(Uxbridge, Middlesex)

Joint Venture Project Accountant-ACCA,CIMA,ACA,CA - Uxbridge, Middlesex Duties include * Monthly forecasting and variance analysis * Creation and issuing of budgets for Licences managed by the Exploration teams * Ensuring that these budgets are align...

Credit Controller(London)

The role will include duties - Chasing high volumes of debt from high net worth individuals - Chasing suppliers from the motor trade - Cash allocation - Recent proven credit control experience - Candidates who have previous dealership experience -...

Senior IT Auditor - London and regions(Yorkshire & Humberside - Yorkshire & Humberside)

We are extremely pleased to be working with this leading name in the insurance and investment management world to identify a number of Senior IT Auditors in a number of locations across the UK. One of the few agencies in the market to be approached...

Financial Controller - ACCA IT Solutions - London - £45k(London, South East England)

Financial Controller - ACCA IT Solutions - London - £45k A Financial Controller is required by our IT Solutions client based near London. A salary of up to £45,000 is offered dependent upon experience. The Financial Controller will introduce new...

Ops IB - Senior Business Analyst -SCG Prime Services Team

The IB Operations Strategic Change Group is looking for an individual to support the Prime Services Strategic Program in London. The role will report to the SCG Manager based in London. The role of a Senior Business Analyst in this space will be to...

Data Management Implementation Consultants (Sell Side focus X 3 & Buy Side focus X 1)

These career opportunities provide the prospect to work for a leading, respected and successful technology consultancy, which is expanding their London operation with the appointment of 3 Sell Side and 1 Buy Side Implementation Consultants...
Career & Jobs Home | Employment Information | Employment Site Map | Career & Job Seekers Portal
© 2020 Tac-IT.com