How to Navigate Your Career in the Evolving Workplace

A career is a profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling. It is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life.

COVID-19 has changed career uncertainty in a working landscape dominated by turbulence and change, and it is directly impacting how people are entering or reentering the workplace. People have sought to change careers for a different reason:

• Your career goals or values may have changed
• You may have discovered new interests that you would like to incorporate into your job;
• And may wish to make more money or have more flexible hours. 
• You need a new challenge. 
• You may have discovered new passions and skills. 

While the reason will be different for every person, there is one thing that stays the same: the need to evolve and you need to prepare for the new career. You are not merely transferring to a better employment situation, but pushing yourself forward in a professional path that requires you to up-level from where you are to where you want to be in the future. Whatever your reasons, there are three essential things you need to consider before switching.

Analyze Your Current Situation

If you have decided you want a career change, first is to assess where you are and where you want to be. Don’t jump to a new company only to find yourself in the same situation every year. Determine why exactly you want to change careers, then each time you find a job opportunity, ask yourself if this job will provide the change you need. 

Pay Attention to Changing Trends

Once you analyze where you are and what you want from your career change, it is time to go about finding it. If you are moving to a completely different field, you will have to familiarize yourself with the career path options. Make sure that your idea of a specific field or career lines up with reality. With all the advancements in technology and changes in the economy in the past few years, you will make sure your dream job exists and will continue to do so in the long term. Even better, look at what new opportunities exist due to changing trends. 

Utilize Your Resources

When facing a career change, it is easy to feel like you are starting from scratch but it is not. Your life and career experiences make up a unique skill for potential employers. It is crucial to utilize your resources and acquire some useful career change skills.

While considering these essential things, here are tips to evolve during a career change

Make an Actionable Plan 

Before you dive into a new career, take time to make an actionable plan. While this is important, right now, you want to be thinking more immediately. Consider where you are and where you want to be the next year, and what small, yet actionable steps you can take to achieve that objective. For example, if you want to move from scientist to an administrator, there are a few actions you might take, including good communication skills, etc. 

Continue Learning and Training  

Once you know what you want to do, find out which credentials are either necessary or beneficial for your career evolution. While some positions might require credentials, others may consider certain certificates which means you will have an added advantage when acquired. 

Explore Freelance Projects 

There is a reason freelancing is increasingly popular in the current workforce: it allows for flexible learning and makes it easier to advance in a career. Freelance allows you to gain valuable experience that will boost your career change. 

Network and Build Relationships

Networking within your desired field will give you valuable insights during your career change. When you meet people within your desired field, you can learn about what you need to do to be successful and what you need to avoid.

Develop Your Personal Brand Online 

Your brand is your outward appearance in the professional world. We live in a digital world, so your brand extends far past physical appearance. As you consider building your brand online, remember to update your profiles on your social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter, etc. 

Continue Evolving During Your Career Change 

A career change can be challenging, but it is not impossible. 

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible”.

Audrey Hepburn.

If you focus on these ways to evolve and grow during the career change. Make time to learn, get clear on what action steps you need to take, make time for networking, and don’t forget that your brand extends to the online world too.  

For this and much more Information relating to employability skills, employment opportunities, career advancement and entrepreneurship development; Join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.