Articles & News About Your Career

Time For a Change of Career? Remember to Look Before You Leap?

The beginning of a new year prompts people to evaluate and improve their lives; whether it?s giving up smoking, starting a diet or evaluating a relationship, the new year is a time of change. One of the elements that people often scrutinise is their job. While some will want to change the work/life balance or work towards a promotion, others will be considering a career change.

People often come to me saying that they want to change their career but haven?t identified what it is they want to do. This can be quite a daunting prospect and can leave you feeling rather helpless if you are in a job you want to get out of but don?t know what to do next. Others have a dream that is currently out of reach, and some people have an abundance of skills but don?t appreciate the opportunities available to them.

A career change means much more than a new job and can have a massive impact on your lifestyle; the hope is that this impact will be for the better. Before making any rash decisions about career change, ask yourself the following questions:

- Why do you want to change your career?
- What do you really want to do ? do you know what this involves?
- What can you bring to the table ? what relevant skills do you have?
- What do you want / need to earn?

If you?re uncertain of the answers to the above you may need some help. Below is a series of questions which should provide a starting point and some food for thought. Work out which questions are of particular relevance and importance to you and list them. Next, establish who can answer them. All of these areas interlink and once you get going one leads to another, so just start somewhere.

The Profession

1. What are the various roles within this profession?
2. What exactly do they do?
3. What are the best / worst parts of the work?
4. What qualities and talents does someone who excels in the field have?

Training

1. What are the training requirements?
2. Which are the reputed training bodies?
3. How long does it take? How much does it cost?
4. Are there opportunities for part-time training while learning on the job? Apprenticeships?
5. Which courses offer the best contacts into the industry?

Employment

1. What are the job opportunities that exist in the field? Who are the employers?
2. How easy is it to get a job/start your own business in this field after completing your training?
3. How large is the demand/market? What is the future of the profession?
4. What is the average earning potential?

Career changers have a number of options when it comes to sources of help and advice. My recommendation would be to start with the following and see where it takes you?

1. People in the profession?

They will have the benefit of experience and hindsight as well as current and future trends so this is a valuable port of call. Since your plan may be to work for yourself, be sure to talk to both those who have done that successfully as well as to people employed by companies. Although you may feel uncomfortable about asking for information (British reserve and not wanting to be a bother!) you'll find that generally people like to help. Besides it's flattering to be asked! You can find people in the profession to talk to by

a. Using your network of friends and family
b. Contacting companies/professionals in the field whose work you admire
c. Contacting educational institutions and asking them to put you in touch with their graduates

2. Potential Employers

Find out about the best ones from people in the profession, career guides, associations etc. Search the internet for top 100 company listings etc.

3. Re-training

Approach employers and ask for advice, again, search the Web, check out schools and colleges etc.

4. Career guides

You can get these in public libraries. They give you a valuable starting point including profiles, earning, training, associations and sources of further information. Also take advantage of career guidance websites like Connexions and Learn Direct.5, Industry Associations and Regulatory bodies.

5. And of course (where would we be without it!) Google and the internet

Research can be quite overwhelming to begin with, especially when you find yourself flooded with information. Keep clear in your mind what you're trying to find out and after the initial glut you'll find yourself getting much more clarity. I would recommend '360' research - in other words getting your information from as many different angles and people as described above so you get a truer picture of the reality, requirements and opportunities of the profession. You can also ask some of these sources to suggest other similar related fields for ideas you may not have considered.

It's helpful to do some initial basic research about the profession yourself before talking to people so you are more informed, feel more confident about asking questions and can target your research intelligently. That said, ignorance is a privileged position, so maximize it by being unafraid to ask all the questions you need.

Also, manage it. Give yourself targets and stick to them. Always remain clear about what you are trying to find out and what you need to learn to decide whether it's for you, so that you can commit and get started. Research can very quickly become unwieldy, it's easy to head off on endless tangents, so reign it in with clear aims both in terms of vital information needed and achievable deadlines. Set yourself daily and weekly targets and build a portfolio of information.

Lastly, train your brain. Starting now, think of yourself not as what ever you do now - but as if you are already in the role you want to be in. This will transform the way you communicate, you will exude confidence and a can-do attitude, and who knows you may be the first person people think of when that peachy job appears on the horizon.

MaryAnne Clayton, Head of recruitment and careers, Computeach - With over 40 years of experience in the IT Training Industry, Computeach provides innovative and truly blended learning solutions to a wide range of customers looking to obtain IT skills. For interviews, images or comments contact: Rosie Gallagher Marketing Communications Executive Computeach International Ltd Email: rosie.gallagher@computeach.co.uk

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Wrought Iron Furniture Can Work Wonders For Your Living Room
A fireplace is a place where you want to enjoy your evenings in chilly winters in a warm, cozy, and relaxing environment. Not only it is functional, it is a place of usual central point of room as well. As fireplaces are so noticeable, it is imperative that this place is made attractive for it deserves attraction.

Award Winning Author's New Novel Takes Bite Out of Career Politicians
An Eagle Unchained looks at political solutions the politicians will never consider.

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?
Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking forward to the day ahead?Do you love your job and find that your working day goes past in the blink of an eye?Are you a solicitor, secretary, scientist or social worker because your parents or your careers teacher thought it was a good idea?Would you choose to do your job, even if you were not being paid? No?Well, take heart because the same goes for others! So many individuals are working in jobs which they find unfulfilling and meaningless. Many work in jobs which are inappropriate for them, simply because the pay is good.

Work At Home Mom, In Everyones Reach?
More and more moms turn their interest to a work at home mom opportunity. And there is nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't need someone to point out everything that has to be done, you'll do just fine. And there is no lack of options, there are so many available small business ideas. Where many of them can be executed as work from home ventures. Here are a few things that will help you get started.

How Hydrogen Generators For Cars Work
There is no doubt you have noticed rising gas prices Chances are you have been hoping that they would go back down sometime soon

Looking For A Job Or For A Career?
As you enter the job market, (for the first time or after not searching for a while) you might find that there are a lot of buzzwords thrown around, including the terms career and job. You might be looking for a career, but you aren?t going to enter the career market! Decide if you are looking for a job or a career today, and how to get the position you want.

Intelligent Management of High Volume Print Jobs
Every day, companies are updating their aging network printer fleets with more feature-rich multi-function printer, copier, fax, scanner machines (commonly called MFD’s). With these hardware updates comes the consolidation of devices with the intent of improving business processes.

How to Set Meaningful Goals For Your Simple Work From Home Opportunity
Do you feel lost when you see veteran Internet marketers set specific goals such as increasing revenue by 50% in the next quarter, or obtaining 10 more paid leads in the next month Are you able to make the connection between the level of effort and the concrete results

Finding The Right Banking Support Position For Your Career Goals
At banks throughout the United Kingdom, people are accustomed to seeing the people at the counter and behind desks as they walk into the bank lobby. These representatives, consultants, and analysts are the face of a banking organization and provide a friendly smile on the often unpleasant business of financial planning. However, customers often are unaware that behind these counters and underneath the bank, there are a variety of banking support professionals working to keep the bank functional for every client that walks through the door. While the customer service representatives offer a friendly smile to clients, bank support professionals allow these representatives the security and ease of mind in order to provide that smile.

MCW Inc. Has State of the Art, Up to the Minute, Automated Programs, and has Revolutionized Work at Home Business Opportunities; Home Business Simplif
This appears to be an an on line money machine. All new program is a must see. No other programs compare. Home business simplified. Certified training and automated systems.

Study Online To Get A Degree And A New Career
For a lot of people that want to study and get a degree, it's a question of allocating the time to do so. If you didn't leave school then go on to get a degree, the chances are you went and got a full time normal job, as oppose to a career. As time goes by, some people in this situation wish they had studied for a degree to earn a higher salary or do something they enjoy. Unfortunately by this stage many people have other commitments such as family and bills to pay, so it becomes a harder proposition to study.

Is MLM Network Marketing A Career?
You may be seeking a flexible job. You may desire starting your own business, and fear if you will really succeed. You may fear if your current job is going to be still around in the next few years.

Career Fair for Military Veterans and Military Spouses Coming to Atlanta on February 7
The military-to-civilian recruiting firm RecruitMilitary will present a free hiring event for job seekers who have military backgrounds in the Atlanta Region on Thursday, February 7. This event, the RecruitMilitary Career Fair, will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. RecruitMilitary urges all job seekers who have military backgrounds to attend-veterans who already have civilian work experience, men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

Handling Problem Resumes - New How To Service From A Career Expert Provides Answers To This Dilemma and Many More
New website offers help for struggling job seekers trying to stand out in today's crowded marketplace

Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?
In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some disturbing trends identified that MOST career seekers don't have a clue what career management skills they have or what those skills are! As a result, it will be difficult for these career seekers to succeed.In fact, only 71% of the respondents recognized they had any career management skills at all! That's why they are particularly vulnerable to future layoffsBefore skipping to the answers, try your hand at identifying YOUR career management skills.