As you continue to conduct your job search it inevitably
crosses your mind that you should consider a career change, for some of you
that may be a good choice and for others, a bad choice. It is my intent by covering this topic to
offer some suggestions and alternatives for you to consider.
Spin-off
careers usually use a certain amount of your current skills and are relevant
enough that you can legitimately apply for a job. Most of us have developed a skill set that can be used in other
fields. What career fields exist that are related to your current career and
skills? Which of your skills can be
totally or partially used in another field?
All
of us have transferable skills that can be used in a variety of fields. Examples of these are: managing people;
interpreting data; problem solving; writing/editing; selling products,
etc. Which of these skills could you
market in other industries?
Everyone
at some time or another thinks of working for themselves, The Small Business
Association has an arm called SCORE, a cadre of retired businessmen who will
assist you at little or no charge, if you are thinking along this line.
If
you want to open a business you may also want to consider:
·
Using your current skills as a consultant
·
A franchise – sometimes they work if it is the right fit for you. I urge you to shadow persons working in the
franchise field you are considering
·
Working part time in the business you want to open
·
Partnership with another person (sometimes these do not work if it is
with a friend or family member)
·
Buying an existing business
·
Checking with a family member, relative or friend who is about to retire
from a business and/or is looking for a partner to take over down the road
·
Service, information and health fields continue to be hot ones right
now. These three may continue to be in
high demand for the foreseeable future.
·
Professional tutor – a field that
is growing and you can do part time.
Most
of us will work all of our life full or part time. What would you like to do continuously on a part time basis? Is this a time in your life to consider it?
Perhaps you are then in a position that you should consider retraining by going
back to school or upgrading your skills.
·
Take a career assessment test and determine what options are available
based on the results.
·
Shadowing. Visit person working
on the job in fields that you are interested in.
·
What are some of the careers you thought about as a youth that you did
not pursue? Are they viable
alternatives? Sometimes dreams you
dismissed are within your reach and can come true.
·
What do others tell you that you would be good at?
·
If you could walk out the door ten seconds from now and have any job that
existed with all the training and education completed what would you choose to
do?
·
Military Services – an option for some.
·
Apprentice Trades – a good option for many, with pay while you
train. Electricians, plumbers and
machinists are in demand.
·
Hobbies and spare time activities can also become a career
alternative. What are ones that you
might consider?
·
Topics you talk about with others can also become career
possibilities. What topics are you
passionate about?
·
What books and magazine articles do you choose to read? These are also clues to career change
possibilities.
·
What types of movies do you watch?
·
What types of people
do you associate with?
·
What awards have you
won and for what reason? What skills were used in winning these awards?
·
Do you have a hidden talent that you do not use or have not told others
about?
·
What successes has your life included and what skills did you use in
achieving them?
Career
changes are possible. Whether you make
a total career change or move into a spin off or related career, it is
important to plan it carefully. Few of
us will ever totally retire and if you are interested in changing jobs this is
the time to carefully plan how you will spend the rest of your working life.
Bob
Raikes, NCCC
Coordinator
of Christian Career Circle