Tag: career transition

3 Personal Traits to Develop When Planning a Big Career Move

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There are all sorts of different careers out there you could choose to pursue, and it’s now arguably more of a possibility than it’s ever been before for the average person to make a big career move, if they feel properly motivated.

But whether you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur and want to start a tax business or something similar, or whether you are comfortable with the industry that you currently work within, but want to take a major step up and change employers at the same time, there are some useful things to keep in mind.

Perhaps first and foremost, the personal traits you nurture and develop can have a big impact on the success of any major career move.

Here’s a look at some of the personality traits you’ll want to develop.

Work to optimize your physical and mental energy levels

First things first; you need to work to optimize your physical and mental energy levels as much as possible. This is a good general rule that always applies, but it certainly applies when you are trying to make a major move in your career and need to be even more dynamic than usual.

Many ambitious people often put themselves in an unfortunate bind, by burning themselves out, working around the clock, sleeping too little, and not getting adequate nutrition. On the surface it may seem that these are all just the natural sacrifices that need to be made for success, but the reality is that living in this way will undermine your effectiveness and quality of life, across the board.

Get your routine as organized and simplified as possible

If you’re going to change industries, start a new business, or make a concerted effort to rise within the hierarchy of your current company, one of the most certain reliable facts is that you need to be highly efficient, and structured.

Part of this will naturally involve having to simplify the flow of your everyday work life, so that you can dedicate the majority of your time, energy, and attention to the priority areas which will have the greatest overall impact.

You also need to ensure that you are highly organized and on top of your various tasks and projects.

So, do an audit of the routine and structure of your everyday working life, and adjust as required.

Develop your ability to remain calm and focused under pressure

Stress, pressure, and uncertainty are all bound to develop whenever you are venturing out into the unknown, or are otherwise “putting yourself out there” in a conspicuous way.

The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is of vital importance, as it will not only directly influence your performance, but also the impression you make on those around you. Being able to remain calm also reduces the stress that you experience, directly – meaning it will make you more resilient.

So, consider making changes to your diet, getting more sleep, taking up a regular yoga practice, and any number of other things that might make a significant difference in your ability to remain cool under pressure.

Are You In Need Of An Exciting Career Change?

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Sometimes, it’s easy to get stuck in a bad cycle. It happens to us all. We don’t always intend to find ourselves on the wrong path – even temporarily, but it can happen. And when it does, it can really bring you down. However, the trick is to recognize that you’re not doing so well, to then do something about it. Because it’s okay to have a blip or to admit that you’re not happy, but then you need to make changes to get happier! Because you only live once. And when you’re in a career that you do not like, you really need to take action. If you’re bored with work and you lack stimulation, then maybe something exciting is what you need? Let’s take a look at some of the options you may have for that.

Something Active

First of all, you’re going to want to think about shaking things up and being a bit more active with your life. Because we spend a lot of time working and if you really don’t like sitting behind a desk all week, then getting a physically active job could be perfect for you. Maybe you should be thinking about doing something that allows you to use your body and experience different things.

Something Helpful

Or maybe you want to be helpful to others? Do you want to know that the work you’re doing makes a difference? Do you want to help others and improve their lives? Or even save them? Then maybe you want to look into nursing options or how to become a flight paramedic or even how you can become a teacher? When you’re helping others, it can be so much more rewarding for you.

Something With Great Benefits

The next thing that might be of interest to you, is a job that comes with some great benefits. Because if you’re doing a tough job or even a job that you love, it’s really great to know that you’re being fairly compensated for it, or that you get some great perks that reward you for your hard work.

Something With Travel

Or do you want to travel more? If so, perhaps it’s the time for you to think about moving into a career that is going to allow you to explore the world, travel around, and learn more. Not every job has to be based in one office or location, so spread your wings and see what opportunities may come your way.

Something For Yourself

Finally, it may even be that you actually want to do things for yourself. Sometimes, working for someone else or for a company isn’t always ‘the dream’ not is it something that you want to do forever. If you’re someone that has always loved the idea of working for yourself to starting your own business, or even going freelance – then why not do it now? Or soon? Because this could be the kind of change that you’ve been waiting for. And then, you may find that your career does get so much more exciting.

Dare To Retrain

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If you’re looking to make a career change, you’re probably having second, third and even fourth thoughts about what it is you want to do. While you feel stuck in a rut in your job, the thought of getting back on the hamster wheel of job searching, applying and interviewing is a daunting prospect. Not to mention the fact that you’re not sure you can face repeatedly being turned down.

So, what are the alternatives for a capable, qualified individual who just wants to put their skills to a different use? In this blog we explore how retraining might just be the answer you’re looking for to get you out of a rut and into a job that ticks all the boxes.

What’s Stopping You?

Probably the issue that prevents many people from leaving their work to retrain, the question of finances. Not just how you might afford the course fees but also how you’ll be able to live if you’re planning on studying full-time.

There are several solutions to this issue that will apply to you depending entirely on your individual circumstances. Firstly, there’s the savings plan. Simply setting aside money to see you through a year’s course while paying the bills and giving you enough to live on. Naturally, this requires a great deal of planning, commitment and patience and unfortunately won’t work for those on lower incomes.

Alternatively, you might look into part-time study. Depending on what you’re hoping to do, your local college or university might offer courses that run at weekends and the evenings for working students. Be prepared to tread a fine line between working and studying and feel like you have very little time to yourself as you’re pulled in several different directions at once, including your home life.

If you have time then something like a distance learning course, such as the Open University, is a great way of reducing your commute to lessons and the hours spent outside of your home. It might take longer but ultimately, you’ll be getting the same qualifications as everyone else and have studied around your lifestyle.

You might also find that some qualifications carry with them the chance to apply for bursaries or loans, particularly in fields where there is a national shortage. Teaching is a great example of this and you may even get paid for working while you’re writing essays on topics such as: What are sight words?

What To Expect

Starting again from scratch can be a difficult transition for some, while others take to it like a duck to water.

If you’re used to being in a position of authority and suddenly find yourself very much a beginner, that change in circumstance can prove frustrating. You’ll be sharing your space with other people who may be younger than you, who may be looking for their first job while you’ve had a whole other career that they know nothing about. Use your experience for the positive, look for ways to encourage your fellow students and keep yourself motivated.

As we talked about up post, one of the biggest challenges will be managing your timetable, especially if you are still working. You will find yourself, at times, exhausted mentally and physically and you may get to a point where you need to make some changes in order for your situation to be sustainable.

If you can reduce your hours in your workplace then try and get your boss on board with this, otherwise you might consider re-jigging your time so you perhaps work two long days and have a Friday off. Perhaps, instead you could work from home allowing you to ditch the daily commute, giving you the freedom to start and finish earlier.

At home too, if you have responsibilities towards a family then perhaps a partner or spouse is going to have to pick up more of the load, at least in the short-term. It might not be fair but if everyone is to get fed and the clothes washed, then taking up the slack is going to get things done and afford you time to finish off your assignments.

Then there’s the fact you will need the odd hour, the odd evening or afternoon to yourself, to simply do nothing except unwind and relax. It doesn’t seem important, but it really is. Although the actual time you’re studying is fairly short, it is intense and you do need to unplug your brain from your computer and your learning in order to make you a happier and ultimately more productive student. No one produces great work when they’re tired and stressed out, so go for a swim or a walk, watch a movie or play with the dog. Do anything that distracts you from the books for a few hours and leaves you feeling refreshed and on form for the next set of challenges.

No one said changing career or indeed your circumstances was going to be easy. In fact, it might just be the hardest decision you’ve ever made but if you’re feeling stuck and that your career is no longer right for you or giving you anything in the way of job satisfaction, then you need a change.

Yes, you could apply for hundreds of jobs and get rejected for all manner of different reasons, or you could get a similar job in your field fairly quickly but is that what you really want?

Going back into education might seem like a step backwards or it might seem like a risk you’re not sure you should take, but pursuing your dream is never too late. Take your time choosing a course and find the perfect solution for how and when you’re going to study that fits as neatly as it can into your lifestyle. Find out if you’re eligible for any bursaries or loans and take that step. You’ll never regret expanding your education and taking a chance on yourself. Invest time in what makes you happy and your future’s already looking bright.

Making Lemonade From Your Workplace Injury

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Sometimes, even a positive person may struggle to look on the bright side. Say that you receive an injury at work. You have no choice but to take time off, and you’re in a whole load of pain. What’s more, a negligent employer is behind it. On the surface, it’s a terrible situation with no silver lining. But, does it have to be that way?

Undeniably, injuries like these can feel like a terrible blow. We trust  our employers to look out for our best interests and when they don’t…well, it sucks. But, to say that there’s no silver lining may be to simplify the issue. In reality, there are ways to look on the bright side. Just look at Pollyanna. She took her horrendous injury and used it for good. And, despite the clear negatives, your workplace injury could do the same. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out how.

You could use compensation to advance your career

The first thing you should do after receiving injury due to workplace negligence is to seek representation from Hughey Law Firm LLC or others like them. The chances are that you have a pretty strong legal case for a decent amount of compensation. This can then go on to be your first silver lining if you use it to advance your career. At this stage, you’ll have the money and the time spare to do things you would have been unable to do before. That could include taking online courses or even signing up for training if you’re able. That injury will still be a terrible memory, but at least this would give you a distinct benefit when you look back. What’s more, your injury will, in a roundabout way, shape your future career as a result. How’s that for making lemonade?

You could highlight issues to help others

Far from just helping yourself, you could push further and use your injury to help others. By taking legal action against your employer, you ensure that they’ll have to stick to the law in the future. That means they’ll have to improve working conditions or provide better training for any employees which follow after you. Even if you don’t go down a legal route, speaking out about what’s happened could see changes afoot. If that saves others from experiencing what you’ve been through, it’s a legacy well worth leaving.

You could take the chance for a change

You could always use this experience to embark on a complete career change. Often, we stay in fields we don’t love because we’re worried about managing money between jobs. But, with compensation and this drive behind you, this is the ideal time to take the leap. Your compensation money could see you through financially. Plus, this incentive not to return can stop you from putting this off. Ultimately, then, your injury alone could see you pursuing the career path you’ve always wanted to go down. You can bet that lemonade will taste pretty sweet.

How to Become Happier in Your Career

Scott Asai3 Comments

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Career fulfillment is something that many people spend their lives chasing, but a lot of them never actually find it. There are a lot of things that have to happen in order for you to become happier in your career, and a lot of it is to do with what you want to achieve. There are so many things that can affect or impact upon the enjoyment of a job or career.

When you get up every morning and go to work, it should be an experience you look forward to, not one you dread. This is why it is important to work toward proper career fulfillment. But, happiness is subjective, right? So, how you can make sure you are working a career that makes you happy? Or even improve the way you feel about your existing career? Well, here are some ideas that can help you!

Adjust Your Expectations

Sometimes when you are trying to become happier and more fulfilled in your career, it is a case of adjusting expectations. You may not be doing what you wanted to be doing 5 years ago, but you’re a different person now. This is not the same world anymore, and you should change your career goals accordingly. If you can do this, you are much more likely to achieve happiness and career success.

Settle Disputes

Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you are in a dispute with your employers. This might be over working conditions, or it could well be over pay. Make sure you sort out any issues or disputes that might be affecting your happiness at work. Check out https://turleylawfirm.com/practice_areas/san-diego-california-wage-and-hour-attorneys.cfm and see what you can do if you are facing unpaid wages. Act now and nip this in the bid, then you can focus on being happier and more fulfilled at work.

Switch Careers

If things are really bad and you find yourself very unhappy in your job you might like to think about switching careers. This is something that will mean a big leap of faith, and it may well wind up being something you regret. But, you won’t know unless you try, and this is often essential for improving your career happiness. Do what you can to choose a career path you have a passion for first and foremost.

Talk to Your Boss

Sometimes the issues you have are issues that can be resolved by a simple dialogue with your manager. This is something that has to be done swiftly, and can really have a big impact on whether or not you are happy in your job. Sometimes these disputes can be settled quickly. This is also something that is going to allow you to speak to them about what you aren’t enjoying job-wise so that they can work on fixing the problem.

Take a More Collaborative Approach to Business and Work

Many people end up feeling burnt out and exhausted in business because they’re trying to do it all by themselves and they have the world on their shoulders. Taking a more collaborative approach and finding better suppliers and partners to work with will make life a lot easier, and make you a lot happier. Whether that means finding a company to deliver your concrete supplies that actually puts you needs first or a business to work with that’s interested in mutual growth; collaboration is about making things better and easier for you.

These are just a few of the excellent ways in which you can be sure you improve your happiness as a business. There are a lot of things that play a part in this, and you need to be sure you’ve made the ideal choice. Have a look at these suggestions and use them to make sure you become happier in your chosen career.

The Tough Question: Does Your Employer Care About You?

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We all have to ask ourselves tough questions from time to time. What do we want from life? Are we really getting the best of ourselves? And so on. These questions can be used to motivate and inspire us to be better. Some questions, however, pose a different problem. They ask us to confront questions like “am I breaking my back for someone who doesn’t appreciate my efforts?” While we’d like to think that our employers have our best interests at heart, this isn’t always the case. Below, we take a look at a few signs that your boss might not care about you as much as you’d like.

Your Ambitions

You’re not working in your current position just because it pays a wage. You’re using it to work as part of a team, gain skills, and as a way to improve yourself. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, one in which your employer gets great help, and you take one step closer to reaching your goals. Or so that’s the idea. In some cases, your ambitions are barely given a second thought, if that. If it seems like your employer just wants to take take take from you, then maybe it’s time to work for someone who wants to see you succeed.

Injured on the Job

Many bosses rightly regard their employers as the foundation of their business. They’re more important than the bottom line. Alas, it’s a tough world, and there are some people who would rather see a profit rather than ensure their staff is kept safe. If you’re being asked for work in unsafe conditions, then it’s likely that your boss doesn’t care for you as much as you’d like. The good news is that you may have a legal avenue to pursue if you’ve been injured on the job; find out from 30 years experienced injury lawyer if your legal case has merit. Your employer doesn’t just have a moral obligation to keep you safe; they also have a legal obligation.

Personal Interest

You talk with your boss a lot. But here’s the question: how often do they ask you about your family, or your health, or anything else? If it’s all on the topic of work, then you might just be another pawn in their quest to grow their company. Of course, you shouldn’t expect your employer to be best friends with you. But if you’ve taken time off to look after a relative, and they seem inconvenienced that you’re not going to be at work, then something is probably off.

There’s No Trust

Work is about more than getting paid. You want to feel valued, trusted, and part of something bigger. But some bosses don’t have the same approach. They just want you to push buttons. If they’re not trusting you to bring your best work, then it’s possible that there’s some breakdown in connection that you could live without. Find someone who trusts you to deliver your best work, and wants to see you do it well.

Want A Change In Careers? It’s Up To You!

Scott Asai3 Comments

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It’s totally normal for people to end up getting trapped in a job that they don’t enjoy. Whether it’s because the job is dull, it offers no real satisfaction, or simply because your boss and coworkers are unpleasant and frustrating to be around, an unpleasant job can make your life a living nightmare. Of course, when you’re in that kind of situation you have two choices. You can either spend all of your time feeling miserable and wishing that you could be doing something else. Or you could get out there into the world and find something better to do with your time. It might not be easy to do this, but it’s always the better option. With that in mind, here are a few ways to take your career back into your own hands.

Start actively looking

Far too often people end up hating their jobs, but all they do is sit around waiting for something better to fall into their lap. If you’re doing that, let me save you some time. It’s never going to happen! Sorry to say it but if you want to find a better job, it’s up to you to go out and actually look for it. Luckily, it’s never been easier to do that. There are plenty of services out there that allow you to find the best possible career opportunities within specific areas as quickly as possible. The act of finding and applying for jobs really has never been easier than it is right now. Make sure that you’re taking as much care as possible to look for the right job at every opportunity.

Improve your resume

Of course, it won’t matter how many jobs you find and apply for if your resume isn’t putting your best foot forward. Far too often people start applying for jobs when their resume is “good enough.” The truth is that, in today’s hyper-competitive job market, “good enough” simply isn’t good enough. You need to have a resume that’s going to really amaze potential employers and help you stand out from the crowd. And the only way that you’re going to be able to do this is to think as carefully as possible about what they might be looking for and then to tailor it towards them.

Hone your skills

Then again, if you don’t have that much to put on your resume, then it’s never going to be as impressive as it could be. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to take this time to develop new skills and hone the ones that you already have. That way, you might be working at a job you find pointless, but at least you can take comfort in the fact that you know you’re working towards something. Otherwise you might want to retrain entirely. Whether it’s a public safety degree, and online masters in business management, or something completely different, if you want to do something different, you need the right skills. Just make sure that you’re not taking on too much when both working and training.

Sure, the idea of trying to find a new job while working one already can be pretty exhausting, but the truth is that no one ever got anywhere in life by taking the easy route. If you really want to be happy in your career, then you can’t get away with coasting along doing the bare minimum. What you get out of your life and career will always depend on what you’re willing to put into those things.

Career Evaluation: What Are You Chasing?

Scott Asai3 Comments

Stop for a moment.

Whether you love, hate or just accept your job – what does it represent?

Since work consumes such a large part of our lives it should serve a purpose.

Finding the perfect job isn’t going to make you “happy” for long. That’s not saying you can’t stay in one profession for a while and enjoy it, but chances are on bad days your mind wanders to other options.

A career is never meant to define you.

When casually asked, “what do you do?” it results in three reactions: proud, ashamed or blah.

The better question to ask yourself is: what are you chasing?

For me it’s lifestyle. As a father and entrepreneur I want my work to provide the opportunity to control how I spend my time. Sure, I’d like to make more money (who doesn’t), but if the tradeoff is I’m rich, but can never see my family it’s not worth it.

Consider your life stage. Don’t default simply to age.

There are people in their 20’s married with kids and others in their 40’s single.

Values don’t change much over time, but priorities do. Added responsibility like being a parent will do that to you.

Feeling stressed isn’t fun, but tension also promotes growth. Changes whether expected or unexpected will challenge you. Take time to relax, but too much of it can hurt you.

When it comes to evaluating where you are in your career, remember to stop comparing yourself to others and look at it in “chunks.” Each experience prepares you for the next so no matter where you are take what you learned in the past and utilize it to propel you into the future.

Chasing is healthy in moderation.

Ambition leads to drive and motivation.

But what’s most important is to define your career path based on your standards alone.

Those who are focused are trying to win the race, not consumed with beating others.

The Best Job Site You’re Not On

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In follow up to my previous post, finding jobs that are a good fit are easy. Getting in contact with a recruiter is hard.

LinkedIn is the preferred site for most recruiters and job seekers because professional profiles are easily accessible (plus more updated and better looking than resumes) and normally there’s a listed job poster you can send an invitation to connect with.

The challenge with LinkedIn is most people will accept your invitation to connect, but go silent. Back to the cat analogy, recruiters will contact you when they want something, but when you desire to reach them they’re nowhere to be found.

A month ago someone contacted me on AngelList about a role and I forgot I signed up on their site. It was a position I was interested in so I contacted them back. *Crickets* but this story has a happy ending…

Once I started browsing around I liked the company profiles, job listings, visible salaries/equity and most of all the application process. If you select the apply now button you can send an optional message to the person posting about why you are interested in the role.

After understanding the functionality, I updated my profile since that’s what companies see (not a resume or application questions). Once sent you wait until the poster contacts you to state there’s a “match” or mutual interest.

Now you’re in contact with the decision maker. The process is very similar to Instagram’s DM where you can contact a company without any prior connections made.

As someone without a technology background this site has been more helpful than any other job site I’ve used. So if you do have tech experience or making a career change into tech AngelList is where you want to be seen.

Most job sites have filters based on keywords so your application and resume may never make it to the intended destination. Let’s be honest, people don’t get hired for written applications/resumes. Interviews separate the men from the boys.

By lowering the barrier to entry AngelList minimizes the middleman and allows job seekers to contact employers directly. Removing gatekeepers makes it easier to connect the right people. AngelList may not be the most popular job site out there, but it’s the most efficient/effective.

Why Job Search Is A Vicious Cycle

Scott Asai3 Comments

Changing careers is not a trend, it’s the norm.

For skeptics or old timers, it doesn’t have much to do with loyalty, but more so with getting bored.

80% of college degrees don’t set you up for the job you want. Companies usually hire based on experience or skills that universities don’t provide.

Millennials are too inexperienced, Gen X are over qualified and Baby Boomers can’t compete.

Most likely the job you have currently is making you wonder if the grass is greener on the other side.

The problem is the most attractive candidates are passive, not active. Translation: similar to dating you’re more in demand when you’re with someone than not. Nothing screams “stay away” more than a desperate job seeker.

So once you’ve come to the conclusion you’re settling or realize paying bills has become more important than your happiness, here are your options:

Keep applying for jobs while you are working OR start your own (side) business.

Instead of choosing one, why not do both?

The gig economy is here to stay and with the majority of future work going to freelancers is reality.

The benefits of working for someone else is health insurance, perks and steady income. Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, provides autonomy, passion and the ability to network freely.

Until resumes completely disappear and job seekers have more power than recruiters, changing careers will continue to suck. The mental shift you need to make is looking at your career similar to success – as a journey, not a destination.

Regardless if you choose to go the corporate vs. freelance route, your network will always be your greatest resource.

It takes on average applying to 200 jobs to land one, yet only 10 connections to find new employment. If that stat doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what can.

The job search process will always be challenging so instead of waiting until you’re ready to move on, never stop looking for what’s next even if you’re in your perceived dream job.