6 life hacks for those who want to change their profession

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It is extremely difficult to neglect stability for the sake of your dream job and try yourself in something new. You should expand your network of contacts, work on yourself and be prepared for risks. Communication Manager at Ciklum Alexandra Govorukha shares her experience and advice on changing the field of work.

Have you ever thought about moving to another profession or sphere? If you think that you are still looking for your true self in your career, if you could risk stability for the sake of your dream job and try yourself in something new, then this article will definitely be useful to you.

How often have you had to radically change something in your life? Remember these sensations, which are akin to a leap into the unknown. It's like standing on a pier gazing into the dark depths of the water. You breathe in, group yourself, drive away fear, push off and fly down. But any experienced jumper knows that the technique of a good jump is much more difficult. So in life - you need to "jump" correctly and wisely.

In 15 years, I have changed six jobs in five different areas. She also managed to study at three universities and live in three cities, having moved a total of eight times to different apartments. I do not know if this is a lot or a little, but I know for sure that these changes have taught me a lot, especially quick and effective adaptation. When my career took another turn, and from a media company I got into the IT field, I already knew what to do. Indeed, over the past years, I have accumulated quite a few life hacks.

It is important that these rules work and vice versa. They help not only to adapt, but also contribute to getting into new conditions. Just going and retraining for another specialty is not enough. What to do? And where do you start? Quit your boring job at the bank and become a fashion photographer? But in reality, this is often not easy, because you are most likely bound by various obligations, family, fixed expenses, loans. In addition, in the new field, no one knows you yet, so your earnings can plummet.

How can you master a new field without quitting your existing job? It turns out a vicious circle. I was also confused when I realized more than five years ago that I wanted to change jobs. I had the feeling that I was stuck in one area, not developing and marking time. I was ready to change the vector, but did not know the ways. After all, recruiters and employers usually offer jobs based on the applicant's previous experience. At the same time, my friends and relatives were surprised: “Why do you need to change something? You thoroughly know your sphere and the people in it, relax and go with the flow”- which, of course, did not add confidence to me.

It was at that moment that I came across a book by INSEAD professor Erminia Ibarra “Finding me. Extraordinary career-changing strategies. It collected the stories of many people who wanted to become someone else. There is the story of a teacher who dreamed of becoming a diver; an accountant who realized that she wanted to be a biologist all her life, but became an accountant because her parents wanted it that way, and other stories.

The book filled me with confidence that changing the sphere and even the profession is normal. In addition, this must be done if the work does not suit you and there is no opportunity for self-realization, and in the morning you cannot force yourself to get out of bed and go to the office. The book's hero strategies helped me structure my experience of change and understand which career path is right for me at the moment.

In a matter of months, I managed to change the field of activity and start working in a new dynamic company. In the end, I realized that it was helping change to happen.

1. Expand your network of contacts

Step outside your usual social circle. Get interested in a new field. Do not limit yourself to just reading feature articles. Go to industry events, study the information about the speakers at them in order to get to know them personally. Attend professional clubs, informal meetings of specialists from your area of interest. Sign up for short-term courses in this specialty, because if you realize that you are not interested in this area, then you will not spend much time and money.

It is much easier to make new connections during training. It also matters that they will be people driven by change, just like you. The environment is important. And not only useful connections that can help you find a job, but also the atmosphere - it should stimulate development, support and move forward. If the atmosphere bothers you, escape as soon as possible.

2. Dive into the unknown

You will never know what is “yours” and what is not until you try it in action. It is worth noting that it is not necessary to quit your job as soon as possible and become a “free artist” the next day.

To begin with, start moving within safe limits - develop horizontally within your organization, work in different departments, in different roles. While on vacation, volunteer for a project or intern with another company. So you can try on a new role, see if you are comfortable.

Try to analyze what skills might come in handy. Ideally, if you can apply past experience and leave a zone for development. It's good if you understand that you like your new activity, arouses genuine interest, if even after work you want to do one more thing or learn something new. If acquaintances start asking in surprise: "Why are your eyes so burning?" is a good sign that you are heading in the right direction.

Keep taking small steps without risking major projects until you know you are ready for the ultimate change. Diving into a new sphere can be compared to entering the sea. You first try the water with your foot, stand a little to get used to the new sensations, and then gradually enter the water or jump from the pier.

3. Work with your inner self

At this stage, it is very important to have a fulcrum, strong motivation to move on. In the course of this process, hands can become discouraged and a treacherous question of the inner "I" may arise: "Why do I need all this?"

Find what will move you forward no matter what. This can be some kind of role model, support from friends, inner conviction that this is your life's work, a family that believes in you and supports you. This should be your fulcrum.

Sometimes external changes help: a new style, hairstyle, image. It’s as if it’s not you, but a new personality in a new role. Remember Leonardo DiCaprio in the film "Catch Me If You Can" - with each new profession he changed and changed his image and demeanor. Try this game with your inner self, and the change will surprise you.

4. Find yourself a promoter

Let's say that you have already found an interesting area, have taken some courses, attend industry events and have more or less expanded your network of contacts. What to do next? Recruiters are still not queuing up for you, you still work at your old job and do not know where to move next. At this stage, it is important to enlist the support of a more successful person. This could be a career consultant, someone who knows many in your area of interest, or an expert with a name.

Why on earth would this person help you? In fact, there are many people who, having achieved a certain level of success, have a need to "give": to conduct master classes, teach newcomers, become a coach. Often such people do it not for money, but for their self-realization, sometimes for the sake of a case in their portfolio.

Look for someone who is open to this interaction, but don't be in the position of the beggar. You must show your willingness to work on yourself, talk about what you have already done and continue to do to reach a new level.

You can openly offer such an expert to help you on terms that are convenient for him. Be prepared for the fact that the promoter may advise you to read books, pull up some knowledge - complete these tasks so as not to lose his trust. Sometimes the same person can help you find a new job, but if this does not happen, move on to the next step.

5. Get expert support

In order to better navigate a new field and quickly find a job in it, you need to ask for help from as many people as possible. It has become much easier to do this in the era of social networks. It's another matter if you are still working at your old job and cannot advertise a desire to leave. Then there are personal meetings. Using the new network you acquired in the previous steps, try to reach out to influencers and influencers in your area of interest.

Ideally, you should set up personal meetings for them, the purpose of which will be to tell you about yourself as a professional who dreams of working in this area. Having trouble making appointments for important people right off the bat? Come up with a worthy excuse, use the theory of six handshakes and follow the chain. It doesn't hurt to use creativity.

One of my acquaintances dreamed of becoming a journalist while working in the advertising field. She came up with her own project - breakfast interviews with interesting people. The interview texts were then published on the Facebook page. Thanks to her friends and the friends of those people who gave interviews, the page quickly became popular. After six months and 10 interviews, a large number of people already knew about the acquaintance, and six months later she was offered the job of the editor-in-chief of the site.

She was engaged in a personal project without interrupting her main work, in her free time. The project helped her achieve her goal. With the help of him, she tried herself in a new role, expanded the circle of her connections, quickly became famous in the field, won over influential people to herself, enlisted their recommendations and got a dream job. If you can reach the opinion leaders, then pretty soon they will talk about you, and sooner or later you will receive a job offer.

6. Be prepared to take a step back

Don't expect to be immediately offered a position at the same level as you achieved in your current job. You will have to sacrifice something: salary or status, and sometimes both. Are you still here? Then you are really ready for a change. Forward!