Changing Career During the Covid Pandemic
Here’s how!’
Whether you still have a job or not, the Covid Pandemic shaken everything up and revealed several opportunities that weren’t obvious before. For one thing, it has revealed digital possibilities for most industries and has probably accelerated the evolution of digital possibilities by about five years. If you haven’t thought of changing career for a while, now could be the best time to make the switch: here is what to consider.
Why are you Thinking about Changing Career
The pandemic has been a tumultuous time for many people. Some have been furlough for now, while others have lost their jobs completely. Others still have simply used the time to reevaluate their careers options and decide if they’re where they want to be. Whether you’ve been thinking about changing careers for some time or the thought has recently occurred to you, it’s worth exploring your motivations. Is it more money or more seniority you’re after? Maybe you want to pursue a passion. Like business goals, these core motivations will serve you well on your journey.
Reach out to Relevant People
Before the pandemic, the majority of networking was done in-person, at business meetings and events. This has all changed. When you’ve decided on the direction you want to take your career, in its time to reach out to relevant people online. Make appropriate Linkedin connections, and join online business communities, like the one for New Vauxhall vans.
When reaching out, try to be as personal as possible – phone calls and video calls are best. Always follow these up with a polite email.
Reinvent your Image
You likely neglected your online image before the pandemic, especially if you were working in a professional role where face-to-face contact was more valued. Now, your digital image needs to be your first impression, so make sure that it’s tailored to your strengths, skills, personality, and target industry. When switching careers online, you must maintain a suitable image across all platforms – both personal and professional.
Don’t be Afraid to Retrain
After you have considered your motivations for switching careers, you might have to think about upskilling to acquire the appropriate expertise for a position. This is off-putting to some people who might be comfortable with their skills and afraid of learning something new. But it’s important to get a head start in your chosen field, and it will go a long way when it comes to interviews. Companies love self-starters, and nothing screams self-starter more than training in your own time.
Don’t Overcommit
It’s always a risk to leave a successful career and start again somewhere new – especially if you are pursuing a passion and don’t know the industry quite as well as your last position. You will be leaving a comfortable environment, and a comfortable income, and a network of colleagues, for a relatively unknown business ecosystem. That’s why it’s advisable not to overcommit, at least in the beginning. Always have a back-up plan for how you’re going to pay the mortgage if things don’t go to plan. The good news is that there’s never been a better time to take the risk of changing careers that during the Covid Pandemic.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL AND IDENTIFY YOUR IDEAL CAREER
Find out more about how our career coaching service can help you get your next job and book a free initial consultation to see the difference it could make to you and your career.
