Some know from a very early age what their calling is. But for many, the vision of the right career is not so clear.
As with anything, it may take trial and error to discover.
Truth is, it’s hard to find that sweet spot: where what you like to do overlaps with what you’re better at than most AND with what others need.
The meeting of competitive advantage with passion is where brilliant careers are born.
After a lot of trial and plenty of error, how do you know when it’s time to change fields? And is it ever too late?
How to know it’s time to change fields.
Did 2020 open your eyes to grim aspects of your job or industry?
Does time drag minute by minute, leaving you drained at the close of each work day?
Are you burnt out?
If yes, you’re far from alone.
“A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 66% of the unemployed have ‘seriously considered’ changing their field of work, a far greater percentage than during the Great Recession. For example, people who used to work in restaurants or travel are finding higher-paying jobs in warehouses or real estate. Many have reconsidered their careers for something more stable and less likely to be affected by a crisis like the recent pandemic.
Even among those who have jobs, people are rethinking their options. Front-line workers are reporting high levels of burnout, causing some to seek a new career path. There’s also been a wave of retirements as workers over 50 quit because they don’t want to return to teaching, home health care, or other front-line jobs. Many workers retired as their retirement portfolios surged and they rethought their views on work. This past year taught many that life is short – so enjoy it.”
Now is the time to ask yourself the hard questions. If you’re unhappy at work, is it because you’re in the wrong job or because you’re in the wrong career?
Start by mapping out the activities that make time fly and leave you feeling energized alongside the activities that make time crawl and leave you drained.
Can your role (perhaps at another organization) use more of your strengths? Or is it simply the wrong fit?
If your gut tells you it’s the wrong fit, it’s time to do some investigating.
How to transition wisely.
Talk to people to begin developing a strategy.
- Discuss your thoughts with mentors – people who know you well at work.
- Set up informational interviews with people in the new career you’re aiming at.
- With their input, identify the attributes that make you special and figure out how they translate to your career aspirations.
Then, start acting.
Are there ways to dip your toe in the new career and test the hypothesis that your target career is the right one? Look for:
- Volunteer opportunities
- Projects
- Events
- Courses, trainings or bootcamps
If you’re ready to make a big career change, now is a good time to do it.
With a labor shortage and 2/3 of unemployed people considering career changes, employers are starting to anticipate and actively search for candidates in just your position.
The best organizations have built out development and “upskilling” programs to support not only their existing staff, but also to grow new hires that have raw potential.
Could recruiting be the right fit for you?
Most of us had no clue when we started out that we would end up with a career in recruiting.
We dipped our toe in because of the high-earning potential. Then, we stayed because recruiting rewards and sharpens the skills that come naturally to us.
When you look at Brightwing recruiters, you can see we all have a few things in common: we love people; we’re go-getters; and we want to help others get ahead.
Recognize yourself in that description? We’ve got an opportunity for people like you, whose ambition and people skills set them apart.
Come recruit at Brightwing – you might fall in love with it like we did.
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