 Want To Change Jobs But Don't Know Where To Start?
By Barbara Buffton
This 4-point checklist might just help!
1. Where are you now?
Before you decide to make any changes in your life, it's a good idea to establish exactly where you are now. This helps you see where changes can, or need to, be made.
List your strengths - this acts as a great morale-booster too if you're feeling stuck or a bit down. If you can't think of your own strengths, ask your family or good friends for their opinion as to what you're good at. Think in terms of both personal and professional strengths - key skills, experience, qualities, qualifications and achievements.
Aim to be realistic - not too boastful and not too modest.
2. Where do you want to be?
What are your ambitions, your dreams? Where would you like to be? What would you like to be doing in, say, one year's time, or in two years' time? Where would you like to be working or living in 10 years? Doing what?
Imagine achieving what you think you want. Do you still want it? What skills or experience are you lacking? What will it cost you - in terms of time, energy and finance? Is it worth it? If yes, write your dreams down! (research has shown that goals written down have more of a chance of being achieved than those that just stay in the head).
3. How can you get there?
What information do you need to help you achieve your goal? How realistic is your goal?
What skills are important? How can you build on any of your strengths? Have you got what it takes? Do you have the support, motivation and determination to succeed in spite of any setbacks?
Break down your goals into manageable chunks, e.g. a goal of 'getting a new job in a similar field' could be broken down into various individual tasks, one of which might be to find out what vacancies are available. This in turn is broken down into reading appropriate journals or newspapers, contacting agencies. Got the idea?
The more manageable you can make your goals, the more chance you have of succeeding. Make it easy for yourself. Take one step at a time. Commit to doing something towards your goal every single day
4. What can you do right now?
- Ensure you have written down your strengths and your goal(s).
- Research your options.
- Make decisions (in order to help you, why not believe that no decision is necessarily wrong -it could be that you just get a different learning experience!)
- Plan your campaign of action, step by step.
- Get committed - tell someone else about your plans.
- Review your plan frequently - does it still work for you?
- Does anything need to change to make it better?
Keep your motivation and momentum going and you CAN change your life for the better!
Barbara Buffton was a qualified careers adviser who one day decided to take her own advice and change her career! She has had four books published, including The Which? Guide to Choosing a Career (1998).
Buy her latest book here...
(c) Barbara Buffton. All Rights Reserved.
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