The Career Reset

The average person will change their career 5 to 7 times, reports Career Change Statistics. If you’re considering changing yours, it’s perfectly normal and to be expected. Still, you need to consider your options carefully before moving forward. It’s a major decision, and you don’t want to make mistakes. Here, Kentucky Real Estate College offers this career refresh guide in the hopes of helping you make a positive, fulfilling change:

Is it time for a career revamp or a full-fledged transition?

First and foremost, start by identifying whether you’d like a promotion, a new job in your current industry, or a brand-new start in a different industry. When you’re stuck in a dead-end job that doesn’t reward you, financially or otherwise, it may be time to find a new one. If you can’t progress in your current company, you could move elsewhere. If your career is at a dead end or you don’t find fulfillment in it anymore, it may be time to switch industries.

Research in-demand skills and market trends

It’s always a good idea to know what skills are in-demand, what industries are hot, and which jobs are commanding the biggest paychecks at the moment. You could attempt to align your skills and experiences with something that’d be both personally satisfying and financially lucrative. Moreover, this way, you can avoid industries that aren’t doing so well. Some industries are always golden – like real estate.

Consider training or retaining

The job market keeps changing, as do employer expectations. You may find that you need to train – or retrain – to become a desirable candidate or acquire the skillset you need to perform at your target job in a capable manner. It never hurts to learn something new, regardless. If you’re interested in real estate, you can sign up with Perry Real Estate College for a range of professional courses or to pick up a real estate license.

Find a job

Finding a job can be hard – be prepared to scour countless listings, write many cover letters, and talk to many recruiters. For the best results, apply wherever you can – quantity beats quality (although be sure to customize your resume and job letter for promising leads). You can find jobs through job boards, recruiters, company sites, networking, cold-approaching businesses, referrals, job fairs, and more. Try to click here https://jooble.org to find a job!

Market yourself effectively

You need to be a solid marketer as well as a skilled employee these days to catch an employer’s eye. Here are some basics to get right:

A solid resume: Your resume should be professionally written (you can use online templates), clear, contain a recent photo, and, ideally, be accompanied by a tailored cover letter. The Balance offers a good guide to consult.
A website or portfolio: A website, portfolio, or other past proof of your work can make you a more attractive hire.
Social media profiles: A LinkedIn profile – with connections to well-known employers or people in high places if you can swing it – will nab you eyeballs.
References: Good references are still important. And yes, most employers can and do bother checking them out.
Sharpen your interviewing skills: Practicing your interviewing skills will pay off. You can do this by yourself or with other people for extra benefit.

Have a fallback plan in place

Life doesn’t always go to plan. Having a fallback plan if your new career start doesn’t take off the way you like may be a smart idea. First, consider creating an emergency fund with a few months of fixed living expenses before quitting. Second, consider staying at your current job until you have a secure new option prepared. Last, consider a survival job in the interim until you find what you want. Wisestep covers the pros and cons of this option.

Starting your own business could be an option

Starting a business can be a wonderful option if you’re looking for extra freedom, meaning, and money. Of course, it comes with risk and responsibility, but what doesn’t? You need a solid business idea, seed money, and, ideally, a business plan to start a business. Forming an LLC can reduce some of the risks involved with being a business owner, it comes with personal liability protection. The other advantages of LLCs are some tax benefits, less paperwork, and extra flexibility. States have their own regulations around LLC formation. Check the LLC in Kentucky regulations before moving forward.

Conclusion

Some people find themselves changing careers multiple times in their lives, while others keep one until they die. It’s different for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try your hand at a few things – whether that’s real estate or gold – until you find something that sticks. Prepare yourself adequately – possibly with the help of a professional development plan – to succeed.

Author: Emma Grace Brown