How to change careers without starting over

Do you ever sit and wonder what life would have been like if you took a different career direction? If you had only said “YES” to that opportunity after graduation? Or had the confidence to say “No” to that ‘sensible offer’ when you were looking to return to work? It comes as no surprise that I am always interested in the reasons why people have come to want career coaching; one of the emotions often expressed is missed opportunities and unfilled career dreams! These don’t have forgotten about, though; with a little creativity, you can bring them into your life and work. This is how you can change careers without starting over.

I recently asked the members of my Facebook Group what they would do if they could have a career “do over”. Knowing what they know now, what would they change or keep about their career? There were lots of conversations around those “sliding door” moments, regrets and missed opportunities, but also many empowering acknowledgements that they would keep certain things the same!

I graduated in 2000, and over the two decades the world of work and my life has significantly changed; parenthood, changes in finances and developing skills has meant that I am now in a position to work from home, delivering coaching and training for parents. Yet, if you had asked me, even as recently as five years ago, what I could do for money, self-employed was never on the agenda.  Yet, here I am, working for myself able to combine all the things I loved about my old, employed roles, and learning new things all the time.

This is NOT one of those preachy, articles trying to make out that self-employment is superior to employment; I don’t believe that at all! This is about how you can make micro changes in your life and work to be able to reach those “do-over” aspirations or childhood ambitions.

So, to start this off, answer the questions “What would I do if I had a career do-over”? It doesn’t matter if you are in employment, running your own business or looking to return to work, I want you to imagine what you would do if you could guarantee success; for a moment suspend the realities of life and consider what you would do, if you had a career do-over?

 

 

 

Now, keep that image of that role in mind. Maybe you want to change the work you do. Perhaps you want to work somewhere different. Just hold on to that thought as we carry on.  I’m not promoting walking away from what you are doing at the moment, I just want you to work through these options, and ask yourself “Could I make that work?”

How to change careers without starting over

1. Start Volunteering

Can you find your way into a sector, or build your skills, by volunteering? This may help you scratch that itch (and maybe help you see the realities of the role you are pining for). Over time, this may open doors of opportunities through an increased network and the chance to develop your skills in an area. See how one Mum did this.

2. Develop your clients
If you are running your own business, you may be able to work in a sector by helping them through your service. How could you add value to them? You may even be able to volunteer your services if you want to support charities, community organisations or social enterprises!

3. Cross-Departmental Projects
Sometimes the role you want is actually within the organisation you work for; you just need to step up and ask for it. There may be the chance to do some cross-department work or join a working group to show your interest. The easiest way to develop a career pivot it to expand your skills within your place of work. Learn how this happened for one Dad.

4. Become a Student
There are some areas that need formal qualifications, so, why don’t you learn. Many formal industry qualifications have remote learning or online options, so this could be the time to open up the virtual textbooks and start working towards a formal career change.

5. Expand your hobbies
Sometimes, your career yearning can be satisfied in a way that fits in with your life now. Doing it in your spare time allows you to dip your toes in and keep that FOMO at bay. This is not about volunteering (although it may end up going that way) but fuelling the interest; it could be a group, a course, holidays or swapping Netflix for a book; what could work for you? Don’t forget, you don’t have to pin your purpose on your job!

Which of these would work best for you to change careers without starting over. Come along and join the Facebook Group Creating Careers to Enjoy to continue, well, creating a career to enjoy.

Want to see how I can help you take the next step in your Career or help your return to work? Book in a call here.