Career change: How to know when it’s time to swap jobs

Do you want to be one of the few Australians who wake up on Monday morning excited to go to work?

Christelle is studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) with Curtin University, online through Open Universities Australia.

Gone are the days where you leave university and sign on to one job for your whole life. Mixed careers are becoming the norm, but how do you make sure those inevitable job switches are worth your while?

Throughout our working lives, most of us will have a portfolio of careers made up of a series of roles and three to four different career paths. With the right skills, experience and support, you can work on your dream career regardless of where you’re at right now. Maybe you’ve got the vision, but don’t quite know what to do next? Here are five steps to get you started.

1.     Define why you want a career change

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Are you motivated by money or a passion?

Understanding what your motivations are will help you decide if you need a full career change or to upskill in an area so you can land your dream role.

2.     Get to know the real you

Instead of taking the next job that comes along because you think you should, take some time out to explore your interests. That’s what Christelle did.

When her first two university degrees didn’t lead to a career she loved, Christelle left her real estate job to travel. When she came home she transitioned into construction, and within a year had enrolled in a Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) with Curtin University, through Open Universities Australia (OUA), so she could turn her job into a career.

3.     Research what opportunities are out there

Talk to professionals about your career aspirations and what industries are really like. Look for roles that match your skill-set, passions and values. And don’t be afraid to aim high.

Just because you need to do further training or study doesn’t mean your perfect role is out of reach.

4. Identify your transferable skills

What are your strengths? What comes easily to you but is hard for others?

Most people think you can’t transfer skills and experience from one career to another. But Simon didn’t let 17 years as a successful chef stop him from embarking on a new career in financial planning. He used his first career as a launching pad, allowing him to enrol in RMIT’s Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) through OUA, with the aim to eventually run his own financial planning business.

5.     Get support to take the first step

Overcoming your fear of the unknown is vital if you want to take the plunge. Don’t let questions that can be easily answered hold you back.

Seek out qualified professionals who can help you discover your options and provide you with advice on what steps you need to take.

Work-life happiness comes from doing things that are meaningful to you. So when you’ve decided on your dream job, and you’re ready to plan for your career change, visit Open Universities Australia.

Originally published as Career change: How to know when it’s time to swap jobs