Refining Your Career Path

Are you ready to close a few chapters related to your career journey in 2022 and redefine your career path in 2023? As we have ushered in a brand new year, let’s get our focus back on track to paint a picture of growth and career progression on a blank canvas.

We all know that career changes can happen for several reasons, offering you learnings, new perspectives, and rewarding opportunities. You may have lost your job or decided that you want to try a new profession in a different industry. Listen to your inner voice. What are the words being used? Do you want to keep hearing these words or are you ready to rewrite the script? You may also have just landed your dream job or that promotion you waited so long for, what next? What are the comments that are being uttered by those around you, by your circle of influence? Is the language and vocabulary uplifting, inspiring, and all-inclusive? How are you going to move closer towards articulating your career desires? The colors of your career kaleidoscope are presenting you with an exciting space to recalibrate and there’s a channel to switch on in getting guidance through this process.

How does one re-calibrate a career path?

We advocate you identify and work through your emotions, and your mental blocks, and change your perception to create a new journey filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and growth. 

Here are some steps to follow if you want to switch or refine your career path:

Ascertain if you are happy with your existing job

Access the job satisfaction of your current role to decide if it is time for a career change. Keep a log to determine everyday responses to your role. In this way, you will know what kind of atmosphere you want to work in and how satisfied you are with your everyday responsibilities. 

Evaluate your skills, values, and interests

To know your skills and desired activities, review past volunteer work, successful roles, jobs, and projects. Identify if your current role compliments your core skills and values. It will help you find an alternate career path.

Check out careers in other industries

Think about alternate careers and make a list by searching for different career choices outside your current job industry. You can also discuss your skills and core values with family members, friends, or your professional network. They will help you access careers you are considering. If it is hard for you to get an idea about the alternate career path, be open to reaching out for expert advice from your career counselor or coach. 

Check out potential job opportunities

Find job opportunities online to be informed about what is available and if they are related to the career paths you are considering. Ensure to have a wide career list to have several job options to consider. 

Have an action plan

Create an action plan to define clear goals and milestones to accomplish them. Now you have searched everything and can narrow down your career path search to a particular job. Consider what you need to get there such as skill development, certification, education, and work opportunities within a particular field or industry. Note down the steps you are going to take as well as the completion timeline. 

Conduct informational interviews 

Try to learn as much as you can regarding your preferred fields and reach out to professionals in those sectors for informational interviews. The alumni career network of your college is a great source of contacts for informational interviewers. These interviews can provide career advice and their responses can help ignite inspiration related to a specific line of work.

Shadow employees from various companies

Once you have narrowed your career interest, shadow professionals in different fields of your interest to closely observe them and get hands-on experience in their workplace. You can spend a few hours or a few days shadowing employees who have job roles that interest you. The career office of your college may help you in this regard.

Find volunteer and freelance options for related jobs

Getting direct work experience through volunteer or freelance opportunities is another great way to progress your career switch. It can be supportive if you are pursuing creative opportunities where there’s in demand for freelancers. 

Improve or upgrade your skills

Skills are often transferable from one career path to another but only require improvement or enhancement. To find out which skills you need to concentrate on, you will have to consult your mentor or professional network. You will learn ways to enhance your skill sets. 

Find positions in your current industry

If you don’t want to change industry, you can look for open job positions in your existing industry. If you are considering a change, you can move to a different company or branch location that better relates to your long-term goals and skills. 

Get help from our Career Coach today!

If you are feeling a bit stuck or need someone to ask the right questions to guide you on the right career track, contact us for a FREE initial consultation with our Career Coach, please enquire via our CONTACT US form.