Here are 10 points to help you if you are making a career transition and are looking for encouragement and direction.
1.There is a reason why you have discomfort in your current line of work and have a desire to do something different...respect that and use it. Questioning is part of the process and so are the hurdles.
2. Remember that many people will not take the road less traveled and will continue to stick with what they know...it takes courage to move forward and do something that you feel called to do.
3.The sooner you can be involved at some level in what you want to do and build your skill level the sooner opportunities will come your way. Start somewhere soon!
4. Sometimes the passion you have will open a new door that you didn't know existed had you not originally started on your path.
5. Recruiters are in general going to see you in the field you are from...you will often need to use other job search techniques to be effective in landing.
6. Make sure all your marketing material including your resume, linkedin, 30 second commercial, transition phrase and other info supports where you want to go...not where you have been. Make it easy for someone to see you in your next role.
7. Look at ways to transition gracefully...examples would be doing consulting assignments, or having a side business while you continue to work at your current job. It could also include asking for leads from previous companies or contacts. It could also be working part-time at your old job while beginning to get your feet wet with your new endeavor.
8. Surround yourself with people who are in the field you want to be in and that can support, challenge and educate you. Who we hang out with...is who we become.
9. Having an open discussion with your family about how to make the career transition and handle the finanical aspect is critical to long term success and less misery in the future. There may be times when your dream job must be done in small bites because the timing is not quite right...but don't give up...keep working at it.
10. There is a process to career transition and once you begin to do the work, the universe will conspire to help you with serendipitous meetings and opportunities. There is no greater joy than doing the work you love and were meant to do.
Best of luck...Carpe Diem!
