Steps to a Career Switch

Rome Business School 2020 Employment Report shows that while 77% of its Alumni have applied competencies acquired through their Master programme in their current work, 68% have expanded their professional responsibilities.

Whether expansion within or outside the current organization, changing careers could be very challenging.

Are you considering that career switch? Let Career Services guide you.

Steps to Making a Career Switch

Why do you want that switch? From fighting boredom, opportunities for advancement, seeking more recognition, job satisfaction, or more money, there are several reasons people opt out of a thriving career for another seemingly better one. Check the pros and cons of your new dream job before you take that first leap. If it is really worth the switch, carry on with these next steps.

Define your destination from your starting point. Why do you need this career switch? What do you love about your current job? What gaps do you intend to fill with a new career? What are your long-term plans for this new career? Answering these will give a clearer form or pattern—for example, you might realize that everything on your list can actually be achieved within your current job or it has to do with a needed career switch. Change is never easy and the grass is not always greener on the other side. Identify possible twists and turns to be aware of the sometimes slow and steady process.

Another important step towards making a Career switch is to do a self-assessment. What is your career goal? What competencies do you need to walk in this new path? What is your action plan? Watch out for the nomenclature, technology, tools, and required skills. Similarly, define your unique selling point. What aspects of your current career can you transfer to your new path to make you different from others? Imagine a teacher applying for a new role in training and development, a customer service officer wishing to transit to a sales role, or a professional moving from a current position to a more senior position. Can the dots be connected?

In this process of a career change, devote time and effort in recreating your professional history and profile so that employers can connect the dots between what you have achieved in your current job and what you want to do in your new career.

While doing all these, connect and improve the quality of your network. Your network is your net worth. Pay attention to networking activities aimed at enhancing your professional visibility. With connections in similar job functions and by attending related events, you can gradually model yourself and objectively benchmark.

Evolve right from your current job. Don’t resign yet. Volunteer, take up tasks, get a Master’s degree and acquire required certifications. Search out vacancies and apply for them.

Lastly, do not be in a hurry, success is progressive and requires consistency, diligence, and time. If your new venture turns out well, promote it, and keep getting better. If it doesn’t turn out according to your plan, learn from it and re-strategize. In all, never lose focus of your goal in being a better manager for a better world.

 

To discuss more steps to making a career switch, contact Career Services.