Embarking on a new career can be both an exhilarating and daunting experience. While change is hard for many of us, it can also provide you with the opportunity to begin an exciting new stage of your life.
Whether you’re moving from one field to another or entering the workforce for the first time, the process of launching your new career requires careful planning.
So, if you’re looking to take your first steps towards your new career, here are just five essential tips to help you get started.
- Conduct Thorough Research
Before diving into a new career, it’s important that you take the time to understand not only your strengths and weaknesses, but also the job market.
Before leaving one job role for another, you should look into what the growth opportunities are, the potential salaries that you could earn, and the happiness of others in that role.
Services such as Glassdoor, you can discover information on companies and industry salaries, as well as joining work communities.
2. Develop Your Skills and Education
Acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge is vital when it comes time to launch a new career. You should identify the skills that are in demand in your chosen field and work on enhancing them.
You may find that you need additional qualification for the career of your dreams, and while it can be difficult for some of us to return to the traditional campus setting, you could further your education through online learning.
Distance learning providers, such as Anglia Ruskin University, offer a wide variety of courses that can help you gain the qualifications you need to pursue your dream job.
3. Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for career advancement as many prospective employers do searches on prospective candidates before making their hiring choices.
Ensure that your social media is up to scratch, with no posts visible that you wouldn’t want a future employer to see.
It’s also a good idea to update your LinkedIn profile, ensuring it reflects your skills, experiences, and career aspirations.
4. Create Targeted CVs
When applying to jobs, it’s crucial that you tailor your resume and cover letter for the specific role. Make sure that you highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements, and then align them to the specific job requirements.
A targeted resume not only demonstrates your suitability for the position but because employers often have to look through numerous resumes, it also makes it easier for them to identify your value.
By personalising your application, you can demonstrate your dedication and set yourself apart from other candidates.
5. Be Patient and Stay Resilient
Launching a new career can take time, and thus requires patience. You should recognise that challenges and setbacks are opportunities for you to learn and improve, so try to stay resilient in the face of rejection and setbacks.
Use the feedback that you receive from failed interviews to improve for future applications, and stay persistent in your applications for roles.
Even if you don’t get the first few jobs that you apply for, you can use these experiences to enhance your job hunt.
Have you recently launched a new career? Share your experiences in the comments below!
