Are you tired of clocking into the same old job day after day? Would you rather be doing something more fulfilling, such as working at your dream job? If that is the case, then it might be time to change your career path.
Before you make this major leap, you need to make sure you aren’t just in a rut at your current job. After all, there is nothing worse than quitting a job and then regretting it later, especially if it is in the industry that you thought you loved. With that said, only you know how much you dislike your current situation, so only you will know when it’s time to make a big-time change.
If you are tired of working at a dead-end job and are currently in the market for your dream job, then let the five steps below be your guide.
These Steps Will Help You Change Your Career Path
- Figure Out What You Are Really Passionate About
- Brainstorm Jobs That Include This Passion
- Put A Plan Into Place
- Test The Waters, If You Can
- Take The Risk That Is Applying For Other Jobs
Figure Out What You Are Really Passionate About
This is not only the toughest part of the equation, but it is also the most exciting. Sure, some people don’t figure out what they want to be until later in life, but that is what this step is all about. This step is about figuring out what you are really passionate about, what you want your career to be.
Do you like writing? Do you like working with people? Do you like sports? Do you like technology? Do you like marketing? It doesn’t matter what your friends and family want you to be because doing what others want will likely lead to an unfulfilling life.
The first step to changing your career is figuring out what you are truly passionate about. Once you figure that out, then you can start brainstorming your dream job.
Brainstorm Jobs That Include This Passion
Now that you have figured out what you are most passionate about, it’s time to brainstorm some jobs that feature your passion. For example, if you love writing, then you can become a journalist, novelist, reporter, blog writer, etc. If being a leader and managing are your things, then you can brainstorm some businesses that you would like to take over (perhaps you have a certain franchise opportunity in mind?).
There are an endless amount of jobs out there; however, it is up to you to find your dream one. Just because you like animals, that does not mean you have to become a veterinarian. There are many other jobs — you know, jobs that you don’t have to go to school for — that involve working with animals.
This is the fun part, so brainstorm realistic jobs and unrealistic ones. If you find a job that fits your passions/needs and you can see yourself doing it every single day, then you might have found your dream job.
Put A Plan Into Place
Now that you have brainstormed your dream job, it’s time to put a plan into place. Does your future career call for more schooling? Can you do your future career in your current state? Do you have to move out of the country altogether? Do you need any certifications? How much experience do you need?
After you answer those questions, make your plan. If you skip this step, then you will never change your career path. You need to get very detailed with this plan, which means you need to add dates for each goal. If you are very detailed and specific with this plan, you will realize that your dream, this new career, is possible.
Test The Waters, If You Can
If you can test out the waters, then you should. The problem with dream jobs is the fact that people don’t typically know what a job is actually like until they have it. In the spirit of that thinking, if you can do an internship in the industry you are trying to break into, then you should.
If you find out that your new career was better on paper than it actually is in real life, then get back to brainstorming new careers. This is your life, folks. You can change your career path as many times as you would like. Part of your journey, part of your story, is trying out job after job until one sticks.
Nonetheless, if you can somehow do work in your dream field, you should take that opportunity so you have a better idea of what your dream job is actually like.
Take The Risk That Is Applying For Other Jobs
You have figured out what you are truly passionate about, you have brainstormed jobs, you have made your ultimate plan and you might have even tested out the waters — what’s next? Next up, it’s time to take the risk that is applying for other jobs. During this process, it’s very, very important to not get discouraged. If your job is really as amazing as you say it is, then there are likely going to be a ton of other candidates.
The law of attraction is a very powerful thing, but you shouldn’t quit your current job until you are actually offered your dream job. After all, just because you are applying for jobs and are antsy to land your dream career, that does not mean the process is going to take a couple of days. Heck, it might take months before you land your dream job once you have started applying.
Start applying, be patient and make sure you don’t burn any bridges at your current job. It’s easier said than done, but it’s so important to not get discouraged. It’s so important to continue to do your best work at your current job.
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