Taking That Next Step in Your Career:
In the current market taking that next step in your career may not be at the top of your mind. However often this type of market creates the opportunities, steps and openings for a well planned applicant to make their next career move as the reshuffling, restructuring and resignations occur.
This is the time to take advantage of such programs as Hudson’s Career Move service and speak with professional recruiters and head-hunters to get an assessment of the market, your skills and your ability to move to the next stage of your career.
Career Move and other such programs are designed to assist candidates in the process of career transition. Whether it’s beginning your career; changing careers; taking the next step in your career, or changing organisations, they help you to recognise your strengths, your skills, and define your career direction. On completion of programmes like these you will have a deeper understanding of your skills, values, motivators and preferences. This information about yourself is a great assistance to you regardless of the industry you are in now or hope to join.
So when is the right time for you to make a career move? Career moves by accident can and often do happen but they are not always positive or a forward step for your career. Consider the planning put in place when you by a home. The same planning and preparation needs to be applied to your career. So the market is down and jobs are tight. This means the opportunities that present during these times will be fewer in number than in a buoyant market, but in a tight market business managers are looking for the best prepared individual to fill each role. It’s up to you to present yourself as that individual.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Making a Career Move
- Do have a plan for making your career move. And don’t rush into a career move until you have thought it out and developed a strategy that is going to ensure a job that is right for you.
- Don't worry if you feel a bit insecure or unsure about making a career move; these feelings are normal.
- Do expect to put in a great deal of time and effort in making the switch from one career to another, but don’t allow yourself to get discouraged at the pace or your progress…changing careers takes time.
- Don't rush into a new career field because you are dissatisfied or disillusioned with your current job, boss, company, or career field.
- Do take the time to examine the activities that you like and dislike, with more focus on your likes. And do focus on new careers that center around your likes and passions.
- Do leverage some of your current skills and experiences to your new career by taking advantage of your transferable skills.
- Don't limit yourself to similar careers or jobs when making a career move; look for careers that take advantage of both your skills and your interests.
- Do consider the possibility that you will need to get additional training or education to gain the skills you need to be competitive in your new career field, but don’t jump headfirst into an educational program…start slowly.
- Do take advantage of all your networking potential, including using your current network of contacts, conducting informational interviews with key employers in your new career field, and joining professional organizations in your new career field. (And do read more about networking.)
- Don't forget to take advantage of the career and alumni offices from your previous educational experiences as well as your current school (if you are going back for additional education or training).
- Do gain experience in your new career field, ideally while you are still working in your current job. Volunteer or find a part-time job in your new career field -- thus building experience, confidence, and contacts in your new field.
- Don't go it alone; do find a mentor. Changing careers is challenging, and you really need to have someone who can help motivate you and keep you focused on your goal when you get discouraged.
- Do brush up on all aspects of job-hunting, especially if you haven’t had a need to use those skills recently. And do take advantage of all career move resources.
- Do take advantage of all the career move advice available in these career move books.
Linda Enever has a distinctive history in the staffing and recruiting arena; a decade with various companies where she became skilled & respected recruiter and manager valued by her clients, candidates staff and colleagues alike. Now Linda is combining her passions as the General Manager of FC Recruiting and Family Capers – the latter dedicating itself to all things families,
At FC Recruiting, Linda and her team can present to clients a wide array of solutions to any hiring situation. Behavioural profiling to reference checking, ad writing and placement to short listing and interviewing, matching the right candidate with the right client – and puts it in writing, with a replacement guarantee! www.familycapers.com.au
Tags: Career Employment Hub Family Capers FC Recruitment Jobs Development
