I want to change my career, but I don't know what I want to change it to.

35 Comments

1. Beatriz Albini-RuizFebruary 22,2022 at 3:23PM UTC

   I changed my career twice, so this is something I have plenty of experience.

   Start with looking inwards. Take note of what you are good at (raw talent), what you're passionate about (follow your intuition), and what are some of the skills (soft and hard) you have.

   From there, I'll suggest you look for inspiration and chat with people in those roles. See if you feel the connection.

   Lastly, hire a coach. This was a game-changer for me.

   Best of luck~

2. AnonymousFebruary 22,2022 at 3:53PM UTC

   How did you go about hiring a coach and how much of a financial commitment was there for the coach? How did you inquire about the coach’s expertise for the potential areas you were interested in?

3. Beatriz Albini-RuizFebruary 22,2022 at 7:31PM UTC

   All great questions to ask.

   There are many companies and individual coaches out there. My advice is to look for coaches that are ICF certified and that had had success at doing what they do. Ask for referrals. Another way is to look for organizations that do this vetting for you.

4. Beatriz Albini-RuizFebruary 22,2022 at 7:32PM UTC

   re: financial commitment it all depends but 2-3k is usually the standard for packages.

5. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 1:56PM UTC

   consider asking to "job shadow" for a day. Ask an older person in field of interest to meet with you, and/or mentor.

6. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 3:58PM UTC

   Good idea. One change, doesn’t need to be an older person. Some of us older persons are looking to change careers.

7. Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)February 23,2022 at 2:54PM UTC

   Career coaches are easy to find, and most of us work with our clients virtually. You can expect to pay at least $1,000 in most cases. If you'd like to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to me and I'm happy to chat with you.

8. Melissa Mellor, COOFebruary 22,2022 at 4:03PM UTC

   I have changed my career many times! There is a time in my life that I felt like I was a failure. Looking back, all those experiences made me incredibly well-rounded and gave me a vantage point that I never would have had if I kept my tunnel vision on. It might feel scary - but it's insanely fun!

   To start, stop thinking about what you are QUALIFIED for :) This is new, that's OK and this is an opportunity to reinvent your career! Once you have your direction, that will come. Don't let IF you can do it stop you from getting started.

   Think about what you ENJOY doing. What fascinates you? What do you enjoy doing? What do you love falling down the rabbit hole doing? What's something you want to learn, experience or try?

   Once you can lock into what you enjoy doing, then start thinking through what that means in a career :)

9. AnonymousFebruary 22,2022 at 8:01PM UTC

   Take the Strengthsfinder, Kolbe A and find out how you are wired first. It's great to consider what you are good at, but knowing how you are wired can help you choose the industry and job you should be in.

10. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 2:36PM UTC

    Careful, before you spend a lot of time on this, it costs $55!

11. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 3:37PM UTC

    And it's worth it. The free tests are the ones you shouldn't trust. Knowing how you are wired using a scientifically vetted measure is an investment in knowing what you should pursue. What you align with. You ShOULD invest in yourself.

12. AnonymousFebruary 25,2022 at 2:27PM UTC

    I'm not saying it's not worth the money, just be aware before you start that this is the cost. They don't say anything about that up front so it could be disappointing if you spend all that time but don't have the money to get the results.

13. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 3:39PM UTC

    This is what leaders and executives do to help steer themselves. What do you want out of your future? Letting $55 be a barrier is small thinking if that growth is your goal.

14. AngieFebruary 22,2022 at 10:56PM UTC

    What do you like to do?
    Do you like research? Do you like data? Do you like numbers? So you like science? Writing or art? Do you like helping people? Outside of the fact that you feel like your current field is a dead end, is there one particular thing you like about your current position?

    When you put your resume together, try using a qualification highlights section. Use it to highlight any matching skills you have. That should help s with the lack of experience and get you a return call. Good Luck!

    BTW, I am on my 3rd pivot.

15. Barb HansenFebruary 23,2022 at 12:27AM UTC

    An excellent book is "What Color is your Parachute."

    It's been around since the early 70s, and it's been continuously updated. I think the newest edition was published in late 2020. It's a best seller for a reason :)

16. Kelli ThompsonFebruary 23,2022 at 1:26PM UTC

    Hi! This can be such a big and nerve wracking decision! I’ve changed careers a few times and even left corporate. When I didn’t know what I wanted, I started with my “don’t want” list - it’s so much easier to know what you don’t want. (I have my clients do this, too) then, start to to pay attention to the tasks, interests and projects that light you up. What could you “geek out” about for hours? What do people naturally come to you for? Those questions may give you some clues as to where you should focus your attention. Sometimes a career change takes time and that’s okay. Good luck!

17. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 1:37PM UTC

    I'm in the process of doing this into the data field. It's a highly in-demand, it fits with my education background (History) far better than my current position and is something I can 'like' (or at least tolerate). I started my journey by thinking about what kind of jobs are in demand now and will they still be in demand (or even bigger demand) 3, 5 and 10 years from now? Then I moved to the "out of those jobs, what do I think I could learn and do for the next 10 years" question. Then narrowed it from there. I've spent quite a bit of time looking at resources and watching videos on the various techniques/software etc. to see what the positions really entail. If you can find people in the field to talk to, even better. They can give you the unvarnished truth about what the job really is.

    I hope this helps. Good luck!

18. KarenFebruary 23,2022 at 1:43PM UTC

    If I were you and younger than me, I would look at the predicted jobs of the future and see if any of those fit your desires/skills/company. There are a lot of jobs coming out and they are mostly digitally based, like data analysis, programming, AI, Robotics, neural Nets and IoT, many of those jobs, you might have to take additional courses, but will be worth a look in the end.

19. AnonymousFebruary 23,2022 at 1:55PM UTC

    Big question, no easy answers.

    Everyone wants the job that "pays well"..but will the job that pays well also make you happy?

    What feeds your soul? Are you driven by a desire for alot of material things, or personal fulfillment, both, neither, etc?

    What is your natural inclination? Helping people, solving math problems, counseling, selling, researching, teaching, repairing?

    Are you a volunteer somewhere and if so, do you enjoy that work? Do you like working with children, the elderly? Doing tasks (welding, sewing?).

    Take a career inventory online. Ask friends what gifts they see in you.

20. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterFebruary 23,2022 at 2:19PM UTC

    I LOVE this question!

    As someone who has worked in everything from local non-profits,to hospitality to startups to owning my own business (and so much more!) I can tell you the pivot can be 'interesting.'

    Here's what I wish I'd know before I started shifting:

    1. Know thyself. The discomfort in a current role was usually enough for me to take a leap, instead of spending some time in reflection (not navel gazing!) on hard truths about who I am, what I'm good at and what I want to do to serve others and get paid what I'm worth;
    2. Map a process. After a sense of who I am and what I want it's time to map a plan. If I were taking a trip across the country I'd have a plan because there are many ways to get there - but creating a map is the way that suits me.
    3. Beef up my network and online presence. Before starting the pivot use social media to your advantage to test the waters and expand your presence in your desired communities.
    4. Follow up - a network is only as good as your relationships - collecting names or "connections" isn't enough, pick some targets and start conversations. And follow up from time to time - you're looking for guidance on how others have made the leap and doing your best to understand what their actual job/industry is REALLY like so you can figure out if it meets your goals or not
    5. Help someone else - spend time answering questions and provide help/service to others.
    6. Say thanks. Being grateful is important.

    As always anonymous - please feel free to reach out to me if I can help you.

21. Sabrina CortesFebruary 23,2022 at 4:08PM UTC

    I've always found that making list helps - you could list your top skills and the best things that you liked about your current job, as well as those that you had in the past. Maybe this will help you narrow things down a bit. :)

22. EMILY KIKUE FRANKFebruary 23,2022 at 5:13PM UTC

    This will sound self-serving because I'm a career counselor, but.. find a career counselor. What we excel at is helping people gain clarity about what's next, and then what the steps are to get there. The main thing you want from a career counselor is a sense that you can trust that person, so talk to a few before you make your decision. Honestly, we all do pretty much the same things, so think about who feels like a good fit for you and your needs, rather than basing your choice on price or location.

23. AnonymousFebruary 24,2022 at 12:04AM UTC

    It's exciting to change careers!
    I'm considering a change myself after over 20 years in Information Technology. I too have the same "what should I do now" dilemma. I took a personality test I saw online which helps gain some insight. Here's the link I used: https://www.16personalities.com/profile
    I'm now browsing online to see what careers are recommended for my personality type. There are other skills assessments and personality tests available that we can check out with a Google search. Hope you enjoy the journey, I certainly am!

24. Liz MilneFebruary 24,2022 at 1:01AM UTC

    Whatever you do, don't jump until you are sure - even if this means spending the odd day volunteering in other fields, taking aptitude tests and really making sure that you are going to love your new career for a long time. If you're really not sure, think about your favourite hobbies or things that interest you when you see them mentioned in movies or documentaries - a whole new world could be waiting for you!

25. Elva AcostaFebruary 24,2022 at 12:45PM UTC

    I recommend a few things.

    1- Think about your core values

    2- Read or listen to “What Color is your parachute?” Highly recommended career resource that has been published over many years

    3- Read and do the exercises in “The Empowered Job Search” (this one was recently published)

    4- Seek out a career coach or mentor

    These are only suggestions but some of this may be a start. Do not feel alone. Many folks still do not know what they want to do.

26. Alexandra MarcovitchFebruary 24,2022 at 1:42PM UTC

    Time to spend some time looking at what’s unique and special about you. What can you do? ( what skills do you have?). How do you do it? ( what’s your behavioral style?). What do you really care about ? ( what are your values?) and most important ( what would others say is special about you?). It sounds like it’s time to create the next chapter of your career. If you don’t know how to go about it get the help of someone who does.

27. June Gilbert CollinsFebruary 24,2022 at 9:43PM UTC

    Good advice! You should what you do because that's where you spend most of your day. In order to love your job you need to know what truly excites you, what are you passionate about, what do you feel your purpose and calling is. Asking friends what they think you are great at can also direct you to what you need to explore as career choices. Make a list and include, location ( onsite vs. remote), what your dream position should include, and use that as you start job hunting. For example, remote work or traveling is what I know will make me happy, so those are some of things that must be checked off for me. The right position will come once you envision, and call it into existence, but you must first know what that "IT" is.

28. Rachel EldridgeFebruary 24,2022 at 1:46PM UTC

    A new book is Sparketypes by Jonathan Fields. There's a free online assessment. I think he just started a podcast too. The concept is what sparks you. Mine felt very true to me. I'm at the point in the book to read and reflect. Our public library has lots of job search tools, classes and training. Yours may too.

29. Becca CarnahanFebruary 24,2022 at 1:50PM UTC

    Lots of great suggestions here!

    One of my favorite exercises is 100 Jobs from Tim Butler. It's a super helpful (and even fun) career coaching exercise that uncovers the themes you should be looking for in your next role.

    Here's a link to check it out if you're interested!

    https://careerclarity.beccacarnahan.com/100jobsexercise

30. AshleyConnellFebruary 24,2022 at 8:58PM UTC

    We're hosting a free event on Feb 28th where a woman shares how she pivoting into tech and got a job at Amazon Web Services. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ama-how-i-got-my-job-at-amazon-after-4-yr-break-tickets-266916092217?aff=misscomm

31. AnonymousFebruary 25,2022 at 1:25AM UTC

    I am in a similar situation. I contacted the career center of my alma mater. I'm hoping they can give some guidance. Good luck!

32. AnonymousFebruary 25,2022 at 10:08AM UTC

    You can Google “assessment testing or career assessments”

    that will evaluate you in certain areas and then look at your traits characteristics for certain positions and careers summary. some are free others paid for, but that’s a perfect way to assess what you’d be good at.

33. RenataFebruary 25,2022 at 10:47AM UTC

    The thing about changing careers is that we sometimes make the assumption that it is a simple matter of changing jobs. For some, this may be true; for many though it is not. Changing careers requires careful consideration of a number of factors. Previous answers have reflected some of these factors quite accurately. Consider what your strengths, interests and values are and what energizes you. This will give you a good indication of the sectors you could start to focus your energy on. interrogate those sectors and research job opportunities that are available. Then look at where you may have transferable skills and where you may have a skills gap. This will give you a good idea of where you need to hone existing skills or acquire additional skills. This is time-consuming process so give it the time it needs or you will find yourself repeating this exercise in a year or two. Avoid the temptation to rush this process and give careful consideration to your current circumstance ito time availability and financial implications especially if you find you need to spend time and money on additional qualifications or licensing requirements.

34. Lynda BoothFebruary 26,2022 at 2:30AM UTC

    I am a Career Coach that specializes in this area. First step is to discover your passions and your talents. Once you decide on your career path, be sure your resume and LinkedIn showcase your skills that relate to the job you are seeking. A good cover letter is also key. Good luck!

35. Sue KorenMarch 1,2022 at 1:43PM UTC

    Good question