Are you considering a mid-career change? Perhaps your job isn’t working out how you had hoped? Rather than staying stuck in a rut, take some time to decide what you really want to do. These seven steps can help you determine if a new opportunity is right for you.
1. Create a List of Your Passions
If you want to change industries, the best place to start is to figure out what you enjoy most and allow yourself to find a meaningful opportunity. Your hobbies and pastimes are great clues to help lead you to something new that you will love. What are your favorite parts of your day? Why do you enjoy them? Look for opportunities that involve these things. On the flip side, think about the aspects of your current job you’d like to avoid in a new position.
2. Determine Your Biggest Asset
Before you make a change, take the time to determine the valuable skills you bring to new employers. Figure out what you are best at and focus on that. Whether it’s talking with people, helping your community or managing a business, you should find a way to combine your passions and your strongest skills.
3. Look for Potential Opportunities
Once you have a general idea of what you would like to do, embark on a job hunt to see what’s out there. This will give you a sense of who’s hiring and at what level. If you’re new to the industry, an entry level position might make the most sense. However, if you have skills and experiences that would bring value to the company, you may be able to look at higher level positions even without experience in the industry.
4. Assess Your Skills
After you’ve picked an industry to work in and have researched the available openings, you may find there are skills you need to acquire to land your dream job. Make a list of the skills you have yet to learn and start working to develop them. Additionally, make a list of skills you already possess that could be transferable to another industry. These might include:
- Organizational skills
- Strong communication
- The ability to teach others
- Coachability
5. Find a Mentor
When making a significant professional change, it’s crucial to have someone who can provide advice and guidance. Consider the people you admire professionally and identify those who may have had atypical paths. Meet with these contacts to ask questions and seek advice that will help you transition to a new profession.
6. Take a Leap
Just because you’ve spent years in one job doesn’t mean you have to stick with that profession until retirement. Have faith and go for it. Sure, there will be bumps along the way, but you can overcome them if you are truly passionate about reinventing yourself.
7. Be Patient
Nothing is perfect immediately. It may take time to build up enough credibility to acquire your dream job. And once you do, you’ll need to work your way up, just like you did in your current industry. Be persistent, and remember that with every step you take, you are learning the ropes of your new profession and moving toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
Take the Next Step with Farm Bureau
Making an industry change is scary, but you don’t have to do it alone. Farm Bureau offers the Developing Agent Program that will ease you into the process while you keep your day job. Connect with a District Manager today.