Your Career Change Action Plan

Do you lack motivation, drive and enthusiasm for your job? Do you get the feeling that you are meant to be doing something different with your life, but don't know what? Then perhaps it's time for a career change. In order to change your career successfully it is advisable to set up a career change action plan or a career strategy to guide you through this process.

Changing careers is not the easiest task to pull off when feeling frustrated with your current occupation. By utilising a career action plan to clearly map out your next career move, makes this transition a lot smoother and more manageable. When changing your career game plan it is important to exercise a high level of patience, as career changes don't happen overnight. In some cases Job Seekers are not even aware at the time that they are in fact following a path to a career change. Only you can make the call on changing your current occupation to something that is better suited to your aspirations and career goals. Your careers destiny lies in your hands and your ability to identify your niche occupation. Start your career changing process by following Jobs.co.za's Six Step Career Change Action Plan.

Step One: Start with Self Assessments.

If in doubt about your career, it's time to take a career time out. The best way to assess your career and where your career is going is by performing self assessment tests. Self assessment tests prove most helpful when planning a career change. In fact they are so important that without them you risk ending up in another dead end career that leaves you dissatisfied with life. Self assessment tests will look at your likes, dislikes, what career would suite your personality and so on. In order to explore workable career options you need to have options to weigh up against each other. Self assessments will provide you with helpful options and suggestions as well as offer insight in to what is the best career change for you personally.

Step Two: Research Career Change Options.

Now that you have further insight into yourself and potential career change options, it's now time to start researching these opportunities. Knowing the various occupations that match your personality type is one thing, knowing which option is the right one is another. Research each career change option in very specific detail such as the following; Career growth and development opportunities, market salary as well as salary projections, the structure of the industry, how the industry is performing in the economy and the growth potential of your niche market. Some of these won't even feature or apply to the career change you are planning on making. The important thing to remember is to research as many aspects of each career in as much detail as possible. The more information you gather, the more informed career change you will end up making.

Step Three: Apply your skill to a Career Change Option.

Once you have gathered detailed information regarding each of your career change options a few will begin to appeal to you more than others. Concentrate on the career options that appeal to you the most and apply your current skills to each relevant career option. Many of the skills you currently have can be utilised in other areas of employment. Your transferrable skills will apply here. Transferrable skills are the skills that can be transferred between one role or career to the next. These would be things like working well in a team or having good time management. Finding your transferable skills can sometimes be tricky at first but persevere and soon you will see just how many transferable skills you have.

Step Four: What Skills or Qualifications Do You Need?

With a clear picture in mind of the skills you currently possess, evaluate areas that need attention. This may not always mean you have to go back to school but perhaps just a few day courses here and there. In order to motivate your career change you need to take the necessary steps to relevantly apply. Research job specs of positions available that fall within your career change option. Job adverts reveal the exact details of what employers are hoping to find in a candidate. Evaluate the skills, qualifications and experience required to evaluate areas you need to improve in.

Step Five: Start To Network.

While attending training courses and seminars, network amongst attendees as well as lecturers. The people you are amongst during these are either as clueless as you or perhaps on a refresher course or advanced training. The more contacts you make in your desired career change occupation the better. The more you network with people within your desired career, the more you learn. Not only are you taking away information regarding your desired career but also rub shoulders with a potential 'new boss'.

Step Six: Don't get Cold Feet.

One of the biggest deterrents from making a relevant career change is the actual change itself. It is easy to lose hope when things don't seem to be working out as you planned. The lesson here is to be as patient as you can be. By evaluating each avenue of your career change it is unlikely that you would have come this far by mistake. Have the conviction to follow through on improving your career and job satisfaction.

With six simple steps to follow, any career change is possible. The fear of making a change to better your career is the only thing to stop you now. Really try to concentrate on the things that make you happy and what you enjoy doing the most. Be open minded and broaden your thoughts beyond your fears.

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