Confused About Your Career Choices? Here Are 5 Tips A CV Writing Expert Recommends
Pushed forward by the incessant march of progress, our human civilization is constantly evolving. As a society, our traditions, desires, and pursuits ebb and flow with time. On an individual level, compared to just a generation ago, the differences are massive. Nowadays, people are trying to live far more balanced lifestyles with equal emphasis on family and relationships, self-realization, and career paths.
Picking a new career is a pivotal moment, and the decisions shouldn’t be rushed or taken on a momentary whim. Especially now, our options have never been this numerous and varied, ranging from the typical corporate job to the freelance and gig economy and even the recently emerged digital professions such as being a streamer or social media influencer.
We are truly spoiled for choice, but the competition has also become fiercer. After all, people from all around the world may be applying for the exact same position. To help you stand out and reach deeper into the interview process, consulting a professional CV service such as PurpleCV could prove to be indispensable. The first step, however, is picking the right career.
Think About Yourself
If you are getting bored, demoralized, or simply apathetic toward your current job position, it may be time for a change. However, to avoid falling back into the same situation in just a couple of years, you will need to turn your gaze inward. Before you choose a career, there are plenty of things to consider.
Try to describe what you feel is the best work environment for you. Think about your passions and goals, what motivates you and drives you to show your full potential. Some may prefer working mostly on solo projects without being distracted by any team members, while for others, the lack of communication and interactions could feel like an oppressive burden.
At this step, you should also try to set your priorities. Are you going for the maximum salary you can get, or do you prefer more freedom for creative expression?
Explore The Job Opportunities
With a clearer idea of what you wish your new career to be, start looking around for suitable job openings. Note down anything that catches your attention, and do not get too fixated on the exact name of the position. Instead, always read through the listed requirements as they would give you a far more precise picture of the position. For example, a specific job title may sound rather unappealing while the actual work involved in it matches your preferences perfectly.
Also, do not constrict yourself to a single method of job hunting. Your family, friends, and colleagues may know of suitable opportunities. Use several job listing websites or specialized industry platforms. Don’t be afraid to message companies directly and ask them if they have openings for your desired position.
Trim The List
Avoid spreading your attention across too many choices. Instead, go over the list of career paths and try to narrow it down. Go through each one and research it more thoroughly. The goal is to leave only the jobs that you are genuinely passionate about.
Start with the salary. Try to find out the average compensation in the specific field or industry and see if it matches your expectations. Next, find information about the typical day of that position. Research the common tasks you will have to perform and the typical problems you may face as they will represent the majority of your new work life.
Two crucial factors that must also be taken into consideration are the growth opportunities and the job outlook. It is vital to know what avenues for growth will be available to you. These may take the form of various certificates, chances to acquire new skills or further develop your existing ones, as well as opportunities to take on more responsibility.
The other piece of information involves the overall standing of the selected job in the labor market. Ultimately, you would want to devote yourself to a stable career with good prospects. Check the hiring trends and any recent news stories about the specific industry in order to avoid putting effort into a sector that might suddenly face a steep downturn in just a couple of years.
Don’t Fall Into Negative Thoughts
It is natural that after switching to another career, everything seems new and unfamiliar. The challenges may appear to be too difficult, while the people in the new team could be distant and unsupportive at first. It is easy to get into your own head and start letting too many negative thoughts occupy your mind in these circumstances. At the same time, doubts about your choice may also creep in as you fixate on what is currently missing instead of on what you have managed to achieve.
Ideally, you would want to notice the emergence of such unhelpful thought patterns early on, allowing you to take the necessary precautions. Make conscious efforts to shift your focus towards your contributions at the new position and the benefits it offers. Try to actively counteract any unfounded negative conclusions and give yourself enough time to settle in and get used to your new responsibilities.
Find A Community
Transitioning to another career can be far smoother if you have the support of others. Look for people who have already gone through the same ordeal and have become successful in their new endeavors, as they can give you invaluable advice stemming from their personal experiences. You might even want to find someone who can act as your mentor. They can provide insight into the chosen field and help you navigate those first stressful months.
Embarking on a new life and work journey is never easy, but that should never stop us. With the right preparations, sufficient effort, and plenty of motivation achieving success is only a matter of time.
