Planning a Career Change

Planning a Career Change Planning a Career Change 6 Mar 2014 Do you dread Monday mornings?  Are you going to look back at your life and think “if only I…..”? Are you in the wrong job? As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” So, the economy is tricky and you have bills to pay, but if you’re not happy, then it’s up to you to do something about it.   First of all, think about why  you need a change.  Maybe some changes to your current role or a move to another organisation would be enough to make you happier, or maybe you need a bigger change. Consider how your current abilities can be used in another role â€" we can all too easily define ourselves by the job that we have, rather than our abilities.   What do you like doing best?   What type of situations make you feel best about yourself? What are the main skills you have gained both in and out of work? Once you have identified areas of interest, research  sectors, organisations and roles both on-line and through talking to people. You could even look for work experience or a part-time role to get your foot in the door. Prove to a prospective employer that you are motivated, informed and know what you have to offer that can benefit their business. If after six months or a year, you're not making much progress, you might want to put it aside for a while. Do some of the things your research taught you might be necessary (learn additional skills, additional experience, go back to uni or college or whatever) and try again in a while. Don't give up. I have helped many people to change career, and I know no-one who regretted it.   But do your research beforehand! About Heather McArthur With a background in HR and career management consulting, Heather McArthur is an experienced career coach who helps her clients to embark on the right path for the future with renewed confidence.  Using a mix of face-to-face discussions, exercises, questionnaires and psychometric testing she guides them through the process of taking a thorough and  objective look at who they are, what they could do in their future career and what actions they need to take to get there, including presenting themselves persuasively to potential employers. She works with people at all stages in their career, ranging from recent graduates to board directors. Visit Raeburn Career Coaching for more information.