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[T1226]Train For A New Career

by Tony Jacowski, Ton

Identify Careers That Are Suitable For You

The first step in switching to a new career is to understand the various careers that are right for you. In situations like these, people turn to career coaches who help assess and determine their weaknesses and strengths. Above all, they help in identifying opportunities that best fit an individual's character. There are many career coaches and online resources that are helpful in selecting a particular career path.

There are assessment tests that will tell you about the job options available for you. They also work as a tool for uncovering experience, training and education needed for your next career. Additionally, they simplify tough career decisions and suggest careers you might have otherwise neglected.

Focus Your Efforts

In the long run, making the right educational decisions can help in securing a good career. There are numerous careers and various academic majors. With such a plethora of choices, it is hard to know where you should start. After narrowing down your field, it is easier to conduct your search.

Talk To Others

Consult professionals who are already in your selected field, as they are the best source of insight and knowledge into the career you are planning to pursue. By setting up informational interviews you can get a feel for the industry and what it is like day-to-day.

Make a Lateral Career Change Move

Whenever you plan to make a career change, you may want to consider making a lateral move in your new field. For example, if you are a medical lab technician with considerable years of experience, then you can attain some computer certifications to make a career change to information technology (IT). There are numerous healthcare facilities that need IT people as well. Consequently, you can try making a lateral move to an IT job within the medical field, by banking on your background for getting your foot in the door.

Write a Targeted Resume

The final step in successfully landing a new career is to write a targeted resume. Among all the given resume formats, today employers usually favor the chronological format. A good suggestion is to opt for a hybrid resume or a combination resume instead. This resume combines all the best features of the chronological and functional resumes. In addition, it draws attention to your transferable, career-change skills, in compliance with the favored format.

Making a career change is never easy. However, you can make the most of the opportunity by being prepared and knowing where to go for education and information.

Love What You do and You Will Succeed

In Barbara Sher's, Wishcraft: How to get what you Really Want, she states one of the foundations of success is enjoying what you do. If you are not quite sure where your interests or passions are, think about the games that you played as a child. Did you play teacher, doctor, or cops and robbers? Did you enjoy directing and coordinating the activities of the group, or did you enjoy playing alone? Think back to what you enjoyed to start your career search for your future.

Career Assessment is a Valuable Tool for Career Success

If you have difficulty finding your talents and interests, career assessment tests are valuable tools to help you discover your hidden abilities. Most colleges and universities have guidance counselors that can administer and evaluate the testing for you. You can also do career assessments online. There are numerous Web sites that offer free testing. You can take several tests to see if a pattern emerges across the different evaluations on what career best suits you.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle

You should consider what your lifestyle needs are. Do you need full-time or part-time work? Do you like an 8 to 5 or prefer flexibility in your schedule? Are you most productive at an office or at home? Success in your new career can be determined by how compatible your work is with your lifestyle.

Talk to Others

Professionals doing the job are the best source of knowledge and insight into the new career you are contemplating. Ask those in the profession about their jobs and get their feedback. Setting up informational interviews is a great way to get a feel for an industry.

Walk the Talk

After twenty years as an accountant, I wanted to do something more. As a "people" person, I didn't like the alienation of crunching numbers all day. I was also bored. However, I was nervous about giving up proficiency in a field and starting over. When I became Controller at a mortgage company, I watched the loan officers, and I liked what I saw. Loan officers helped people, controlled their own schedules, and were constantly challenged by new scenarios. So, I decided to become a loan officer and have enjoyed it ever-since.

You can make the change too. Take stock of your skills, your interests, and your dreams and move toward a more promising future. A promising career is only a "wish" and some "assessing" away.

Article Source : Hunting Dog For Sale

About Author

Both Tony Jacowski & Kelli Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Tony Jacowski has sinced written about articles on various topics from University, Six Sigma and Information Technology. Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online and certification classes for lean six sigm. Tony Jacowski's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.

Kelli Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Career Change and Time Management Skills. . Kelli Smith's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.