It's never too late to change your profession

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

You cannot ignore the desire to quit your job or even master another profession. 10 tips for changing your profession will help you decide on a new field of activity.

There is nothing wrong with changing your profession at any age. But the further, the more difficult it will be to learn something new and explain to employers that experience is not the main thing, the main thing is the desire to work. Therefore, if you have thoughts about changing your specialty, you cannot put them on the back burner, because the sooner you decide, the easier it will be. Here are 10 things to do before learning a new profession.

So, before writing a letter of resignation, you need to thoroughly prepare and think over a few points. Optimists believe that if a person wants something, he will definitely achieve it. But you should at least know what you are striving for, and for this you need to understand yourself and understand what does not suit you, what you want.

1. Rate your dissatisfaction

If you are not going to immediately throw a statement in the face of your boss, but are simply looking for options, start yourself a "dissatisfaction journal" in which you will write down what does not suit you every day. This can be a company culture that is far from your ideal, the relationship between employees and the boss, or some aspect of your work (monotony, the need to communicate with new people, etc.).

After a while, review your notes. Maybe there are recurring moments, among which you will find a hint - what exactly does not suit you in your work, which should not be in a new place.

2. Assess your skills, interests and abilities

Write a list of your skills and abilities based on past accomplishments or simply what you do well. Think about past jobs, successful projects, awards.

When the list is ready, evaluate what percentage of these interests, talents and skills are present in your profession. Simple actions will help you see the real picture, how much the specialty helps you to realize yourself.

3. Brainstorming about a new profession

When do you get the best ideas: alone or with people, in the morning or at night? Choose a time and place and brainstorm your career change - your future is worth it. Talk to friends and relatives, write down all the prerequisites and desires, use all the information that is available to you.

There are also special books and articles to help you understand yourself, for example, this one.

4. Narrow the circle

Identify a few areas for yourself that you would like to move into, and focus on them.

5. Learn as much as possible

When you don't have many areas left, learn as much as possible about each one. It is better to get to know people of this profession and ask them about all the features, pitfalls, unpleasant moments and more.

It often happens that a person idealizes another specialty, poorly understanding what awaits him in reality, because each area has its own pros and cons. You can read specialized forums, interviews and so on.

6. Volunteer or freelance

To understand how interesting it is for you to work in your chosen field, in your free time you can work for free or take small one-time orders. For example, if you dream of becoming an editor, try taking on a few assignments on a freelance site; If you want to work with animals, volunteer at a shelter for stray dogs and cats.

7. Opportunities for education

You don't have to get additional higher education to change your profession, but if there is an opportunity to complete any courses in this area, study several manuals, why not?

Find out if your city has inexpensive courses in your chosen specialty, seminars and other events.

8. Pump your skills

Look for opportunities to acquire skills that will be useful for your new profession. If you have not found suitable courses specifically for your specialty, you can develop abilities that will be useful for future work.

Some companies periodically send employees to master classes and seminars. If you work for such a firm, don't miss out on the chance to learn something that will help at least a little in your new career.

9. Look for similar areas

It will be much easier for you to master a new profession if it is somehow connected with the old one. So first look at adjacent areas, and only then pay attention to distant ones in which you have no experience at all.

For example, if you worked as a programmer, you can start selling computer software, because you are well versed in this area.

10. Prepare for an interview

Before going to an interview, think about your answers to the employer's question: "Why should we hire you instead of someone who is more experienced in this area?" It will be useful to list your skills and talents that are suitable for this position, and if you are actively engaged in improving your skills (attended seminars, read special literature), the effect will be even better.

Most importantly, remember: it is never too late to change your profession, no matter how many years you have worked in your field.

Some encouraging examples of famous people:

Edgar Burroughs, who created world-famous works about Tarzan, began writing after 35 years, having previously tried the professions of a soldier, policeman, shopkeeper and gold digger.

The artist Yuri Larin, whose paintings are exhibited in museums in Russia, the USA and France, began his career only at 40, and before that he worked as an engineer.

History knows many such examples, so if you feel sick of your job or profession in general, don't be afraid to start from scratch.