Regardless of the latest jobs numbers, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking that it's still difficult to land a new job. The truth is now is a prime time to make a change if you are smart about it. There are plenty of opportunities out there. All you need is the right mindset. Here are three things to consider:
- You could be your own worst enemy. One of the biggest hurdles in making a career change is fear. We all have fear. The question is will you let yours keep you stagnant? In terms of a career change, fear is often based on what you hear from others or a feeling that you don’t have the skills or the experience to have the career you want. This is usually nonsense. You have skills, experience (including life experience) and something valuable to offer. Focus on what you have, rather than what you lack, and the fear will slowly begin to dissipate.
- Re-think the word ‘job’ and replace it with the word ‘mission’ or ‘purpose.’ Instead of focusing on the hours you will work or how much money you will make, consider what you can bring to a new challenge and how you will contribute to an organization.
- A new opportunity might be right outside your front door. Open the door to your office or step outside your cubical. Employees often get so fed up with their current company that they fail to explore other opportunities internally. Many large and midsize organizations have openings in various disciplines. This is a great place to start looking for a career change since your experience and track record can be an asset.
And one final note: most professionals fail to recognize their true strengths. There is so much emphasis placed on hard skills and very little on soft skills. Soft skills, such as people skills or the ability to work under extreme pressure is as valuable, or even more so, than hard skills (or that which you learn though school or formal training). When looking for new opportunities, be sure to highlight your soft skills as they are some of your best assets.
