Thinking About A Change of Career?

If you are currently assessing your happiness and are not happy in your current career you may be considering a career change as one option. If this is you then please read on.

Maybe you are feeling under or over challenged and this is negatively impacting your mental and physical health.

Or is the main reason you are considering your options that you do not feel that you are recognised for your achievements.

Whatever the reason for your career review it helps to plan a way forwards.

Research shows that a key part of work satisfaction and fulfilment aside from providing a realistic challenge and recognition for your achievements is having your key values met - what is important to you. The research shows that if your key values are not met you will not be happy at work and will probably suffer health issues.

For example if a key value is helping people then you may be compromising this value in working for an organisation that could be seem as working against helping people such as a tobacco or fast food provider.

You can start by brainstorming your values without limitation including values outside of your career that could be impacted by your career, such as your health and family.

From your list of values what are your top 3 that you would not compromise on?

I recommend that you now consider what you are interested in that you would consider as a career. Perhaps there are 2-3 areas of interest that you would like to make up a portfolio career.

Next think about which of the areas of interest would meet your top 3 values best.

Further considerations include whether you work for yourself or an existing organisation. If you decide upon the latter, again would you top 3 values be met? Visiting the organisation's web site and offices as well as talking to existing staff can provide insights here.

Rather than waiting for a vacancy to arise in your selected field and organisations, you could provide speculative approaches with a tailored CV and cover letter.

At interview stage it helps to prepare for a competency based interview process. This can be an experience that you have not had or not had for some time and would benefit from support to prepare.

If you would like help with your career transition please do get in touch via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or telephone on 01761 237400