Changing the Direction of Your Career

Everyone gets to a point in their career where they take a look around and think, "Is this it?". And for some, that's enough.  They're happy where they are and with what they're accomplishing.  But for many of us, it's a realization that we need something else.  In most cases it isn't about the money but about the purpose.  The work may be ok, the money may be ok but there's just that sense of fulfillment that's missing.  It could be that you just need more of a challenge or maybe you need to feel that what you do makes a contribution to the world around you.  So, what can you do about it?  Turns out, there's plenty you can do.

Related:  Find Out Who's Hiring

It may seem that since we're in a recession, and jobs are harder and harder to come by, that making a change in your career isn't a great idea.  But it still can be done if you go about it the right way.  The first question to ask yourself is, what's missing from your career now that's leaving you feeling like you need a change? Identifying what's missing for you will define the direction you're going to take. Needing more of a challenge in your current industry will require a different strategy than if you're looking to change to a new industry altogether. 


Looking for a new challenge in your current industry really means that you're looking to transition your career to the next level.  You're ready to take on higher level responsibilities but not finding opportunities to do so where you're currently working.  The good news is, this is one of the easier transitions to make.  The bad news is that you may have to move to another company. But not necessarily.  The first step to take is to speak to your management and let them know you're ready to take on more responsibility and find out what it's going to take for them to help you make that transition.  It may very well be that they aren't inclined to promote you into the position you're ready for and if that's the case, then it's time to start looking elsewhere.  Start with your LinkedIn profile, your resume is less important and should just reflect what's on LinkedIn.  Write your profile in a way that presents you as the ideal candidate, giving examples of what you've accomplished and what you can offer to your new employer.  Setting up a personal website that goes into more detail on your career and why you are uniquely qualified shows potential employers that you go the extra mile and are willing to do it for them, too.

Related: Using Your Network to Find a Job  

If you're looking to transition into a new career altogether, you'll take a different approach.  After you've decided what your new direction will be, the next thing you'll need to do is make an honest evaluation of your skills.  The skills and experience you use in your current job can be transferred over to your new career, you just have to know how to present it.  Take a look at job descriptions for the job you want and start thinking about how your current skills could be applied.  Start your LinkedIn profile talking about the fact that you're looking to change industries or careers.  Write your LinkedIn profile in a way that highlights those transferrable skills so that's its obvious how you'll be able to use them once you transition.  A personal website is ideal for taking this a bit further and discussing why you want to make a change. Talk about your motivation and passion for your new career direction and why it's important that you make the change.  Play up your unique background making it clear that you can contribute in ways no one else can because of your experience outside that field.  Presenting yourself as the candidate with the most potential to contribute is key to getting people interested enough to interview you.

It is a tough job market right now.  But that doesn't mean you're stuck.  As long as you're willing to do the work necessary to make the changes you want to see, you'll be successful.  Presenting your career with a complete package of information including your LinkedIn profile, a personal website and your resume makes it easier to market yourself and get noticed by the right people.  Marketing yourself is easier said than done, however.  It's a good idea to hire a professional to get you started.  It's hard to see yourself and your accomplishments objectively like someone else will.  A professional can help you show off your achievements in ways you would never think of.  You can make the changes needed to have the career you want.  You just have to get started.