How to simplify your transition to a new career
Although the job search was once considered a one-time event, today looking for a job is a larger part of career development. Staying on top of the job market and finding niches that offer the best opportunities for success is key. Transitioning from one job to another is more commonplace and these tips can make the move easier and more successful. Today’s professionals change careers and jobs much more frequently than those of past generations. While a person may have once thought themselves lucky just to have a job and hold on to it as long as they could, workers today tend to be more fickle and jump around until they find the perfect career fit. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says it is difficult to determine just how often a person changes a career, noting the difficulty with regard to defining the parameters of what constitutes a career change. However, one study by the NLS that looked at young baby boomers found the average number of jobs held by people ages 18 to 46 was 11.3. Other studies examining American and British employment patterns discovered Americans tend to move around more, having 10.5 jobs in a lifetime compared to Brits’ 6.9 jobs.
Although the job search was once considered a one-time event, today looking for a job is a larger part of career development. Staying on top of the job market and finding niches that offer the best opportunities for success is key. Transitioning from one job to another is more commonplace and these tips can make the move easier and more successful.
Boredom alone should not be the driving force behind a career change. If advancement opportunities seem nonexistent or if the job you’re in simply isn’t in tune with your interests, you may have a good reason to switch careers.
You may need to learn new skills to pursue a new career. If that’s the case, you may want to enroll in a continuing education course prior to job-hunting. Even if a job doesn’t work out on the first attempt, new skills always look good on a résumé.
Send handwritten notes to any and all people who helped you find new job opportunities. This reaffirms your relationship and you never know when you might need a reference or support in the future.
It’s helpful to know a company’s rules in advance. This may be as simple as learning the dress code for employees and any other rules and regulations of the office. Do employees dine out for lunch, or do they eat primarily at their desks? What is the tendency for coworkers to mingle outside of the office? Learning these policies or habits may help you find a company that’s the best fit for you.
You may have your own ideas on how to improve performance, but assimilate into the routine first before you start becoming more vocal. There is plenty of time to lend your advice and show the team how they can grow.
Offer the first olive branch by bringing in a snack the office can enjoy or offer to take a few coworkers out for coffee. This can break the ice and facilitate new office friendships.
A lot of new information will come at you in your first weeks on the job. There will be procedures and technological details. Jot down notes along the way, and do not be afraid to ask questions for further clarification.
Many IT teams are increasingly becoming the backbone of many companies, ensuring everyone is online and working at peak potential. Get to know the IT department so you will not feel sheepish about turning to them when your computer freezes or your files vanish.
It can take several weeks for new employees to successfully transition to a new career. But there are several strategies men and women can employ to make that transition go as smoothly as possible