Changing jobs by choice (or obligation) is always a challenge. But what is a “career transition”? A requalification? A professional transition? A career change?
Let’s start by clearly defining the notion of career transition. Of course I have to refer to Meryl Reis Louis, associate professor at Boston University’s school of management who, in 1980, described career transition “as a process that may result in a change of job, profession, or a change in one’s orientation to work while continuing the same job”. For all of us, such career transition or career change may follow a loss of job, or simply after a process of reflection that can lead to a re-orientation, for a new start.
The success of a career change depends on multiple factors that are not always easy to control, especially the job market, the constraints of certain sectors of activity, financial aspects, etc. But it mainly depends on the energy deployed and the communication skills of the person engaged in this process.
Once you are sure you want to change your job, start thinking about your plan. And a project is elaborated! To do this, three essential questions must be answered:
- What am I good at?
- What am I capable of?
- What do I want to be doing?
The first question invites you to take stock of your past experiences and skills, as well as to reflect on all the expertise you have developed over the course of your professional career and why not, from your relevant personal experiences.
The second question makes you think about your ability to act. But above all to act within an unknown environment outside your comfort zone. Of course, it depends on your personality as well as your personal values, your psychological characteristics, your beliefs, your limitations etc., but also on your career goals.
Finally, the last question invites you to position yourself in line with your deepest desires. Not so easy to answer. However, being honest with yourself will give opportunities for development. We often note the appearance of two main trends: emotional choices and rational choices. Talking with a coach or someone with experience in the field of career transition may help you step back and clearly define your goals.
Once you have answered these questions, everything will be clearer for you. You can start taking action and create your professional project by following these steps:
- Defining the basics!!
- What do you want to do?
- What types of jobs can you apply for?
- In which activity areas do you want to practice your profession, your profession?
- What level of responsibility attracts you? Do you want to work alone or in a team? Be your own boss? Create your business?
- What compensation would you be satisfied with?
- Thinking about the context!!
- Where do you want to work?
- In what type of business? A large company or a small? In the public or private sector? Is a strong corporate culture or the possibility of developing internally important to you?
- In an international city, in the countryside? Are you willing to leave your country or region to get a job?
- Is the business sector you are targeting promising? Will this sector evolve (technological constraints / changes)?
- Put in place concrete actions!!
- What means do you give yourself to succeed?
- Take stock of the tools to put in place: CV, cover letter, LinkedIn, registration on job vacancy websites that will help you in your career!!
- List the companies that interest you, look on their website if they recruit, send them a spontaneous application!!
- Plan visits to recruitment fairs and forums!!
- Inform your network of your job search (personal network, professional network, alumni associations)!!
- Contact organisations that can help you, such as head-hunters!!
- Read the professional press and follow the websites specialised in the sector you are targeting, etc.
« The future depends on what you do today – Mahatma Gandhi »
#Career transition #Career Job change #Personal development # Career coaching — contact@challengemylife.fr
