job tips

Top 7 Tips for Successfully Switching Careers

GoodCall

It's a simple fact that people change. Sometimes you're in the middle of your career when you realize you're no longer the person who chose that lifestyle. Changing careers jobs is one thing, but switching careers mid-stride presents conflicts in both the short- and long-term. You don't necessarily have to start over at an entry level position if you approach a career change conscientiously.

Do you want to transition into a similar career or a new field altogether? Do your existing skill sets transfer smoothly? Do you have enough experience and field knowledge for what you want to pursue, or should you take a class or entry level position to prepare? That's not to mention the more practical concerns regarding financial stability: can you earn a living wage in your desired career? Do you have enough savings to hold you over while you transition?

Here are the top 7 tips from financial advisers and employers for a successful career change:

1.Good Timing

Boredom and frustration are inevitable in every job, but that's not the same as feeling stagnated. The midpoint of a career is about 10 years. If you've acclimated and committed to your job that long and still feel unfulfilled, it's time to consider if you want to make a permanent change.

2. Realistic Goals

Maybe demand for your current career is shrinking or just undergoing a massive change. That could be the source of your unease and a good sign that you shouldn't expect a similar field to offer expansive opportunities. Be realistic about your current skills sets. Maybe take an aptitude test or pursue career counseling.

3. Expand your Network

Perhaps your current employer has connections to other fields that you could transition to. Expression respectful interest could alert the people familiar with your work that you're expanding and open doors for a new position. But your network of friends, college classmates, and even acquaintances is a valuable resource, as well. Make your interest known and ask questions about their fields, particularly if they're expanding.

4. Job Shadow or Volunteer

Depending on what your career goal is, some companies allow interested individuals to volunteer at their workplace. Some professionals allow people to job shadow them at the office. Additionally, many colleges maintain an alumni network of professionals who are open to be contacted.

5. Take a Class

Update your knowledge of the field you're targeting. Do research online and consider if enrolling in an evening course or online seminar could bring you up to speed. You could even reach out to professionals in the field to inquire what skill sets are most promising and desired right now

6. Refresh Your Skills

If you can't take a class, you can also sharpen your skill sets by taking on extra tasks at your current job or beginning your own independent project. Many organizations, including college alumni groups and employers, offer professional training. Depending on your skill set, you can also freelance to contract extra work on the side before you completely jump fields.

7. Update Your Resume and Cover Letters

You'll need to re-package yourself and your work experience to impress prospective employers. This is especially crucial if you're new to that field. Make sure your cover letters focus on your existing skills that qualify you for the job; don't dwell too long on your on work experience that's unrelated to the job you're applying for. Be sure to re-design your summary statement or objective section to convey your new interests, goals, and qualifications.

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How to Nail Your Exit Interview

If you've ever quit a job before, you're probably already familiar with an often uncomfortable and overlooked aspect of employment: the exit interview. But what you might not realize is that an exit interview can be just as important as a job interview. Not only do you want to leave your place of employment with a good reputation for the purpose of references, but in case you want to come back some day.

Here are our top tips for nailing your exit interview.

1. Don't Think It Doesn't Matter

While you may be tempted to air all your grievances and get your complaints out in the open, in most cases, this isn't a good idea. Not only is it unlikely to actually incite change, it's a surefire way to get yourself written off by the company. There's nothing wrong with calmly and respectfully telling the HR representative you're likely to talk to that you have issues with the company, but make sure you don't cause a scene, no matter how much you may feel like it.

2. Prepare Ahead of Time

Don't go into an exit interview assuming that you'll just come up with what to say on the spot. While you may not know exactly what they're going to ask you, you can be sure they're going to ask you what you liked about the job and what you didn't like about the job. Make sure you have a clear and concise list of the pros and cons of your former position, a few ideas about how you would improve your position, and a few ideas about what you wouldn't change. Try to project the kind of poised and positive attitude you would want to project in a job interview.

3. Focus on the Relationships You Built at the Company

This doesn't only apply to the exit interview itself, but also to all of your behavior as you prepare to leave your job. Write notes to all your colleagues that you connected with, thanking them for their help and support. Try to compliment a specific talent you think each person has. These kind of small gestures may seem like no big deal, but they go a long way to ensuring you preserve the relationships you built at the company — relationships that may open doors for you later in life.

4. Focus on the Positives

If you begin the interview by first telling the HR rep what you loved about your job, they're more likely to see you as a level headed, neutral person when you tell them the things you didn't like about your job. Plus, focusing on the positives is a much better way to ensure you leave the company on a good note.

Most importantly, keep in mind that an exit interview isn't an ending, its a new beginning that could have a big impact on your career in the future.

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What to Look for in an Internship

Even though we're led to believe that internships are the key to successful careers, we're also wary of companies that take advantage of the free labor, relegating interns to coffee runs or leftover tasks that don't enhance professional development. Students, new graduates, or even professionals looking to change careers and gain experience in an unfamiliar field can avoid being taken advantage of if they know their rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For example, unpaid internships are legal under federal law, but only if it meets specific criteria, and too often companies play fast and loose with the details of an internship in attempts to qualify. Here's the best advice from employers and labor activists about what to look for in a company's internship program.

1. Be clear if the position is paid or unpaid

The FLSA requires employers to pay employees for their work, but what defines an "employee" from an "intern?" Officially, courts impose the "primary beneficiary test," which is a loose set of criteria that only defines the difference in terms of how the employer and the intern understand the position. Namely, if the internship provides more benefits to the employer in terms of labor, cost, and company services, then the intern must be regarded as an employee. Conversely, if the position provides professional training comparable to an educational environment, enhances (rather than inhibits) the intern's coursework, and both the employer and intern clearly understand that no paid job is promised at the end of the program, then (and only then) is it legal to not pay an intern. Additionally, if the company is a non-profit, then they're granted an exception and may count unpaid interns as volunteers

2. Look for positions relevant to your field

The point of an internship is to gain professional experience and training. Look for opportunities that have built-in support systems to provide hands-on experience in the field of your choice. Be clear about what duties will be expected of you in the position.

3. Ask about mentors

In addition to gaining experience, the goals of an internship include meeting mentors who are invested in your progress. Particularly strong programs allow interns to access higher level executives. This will not only help you network in your professional future, it will enhance your understanding of the field.

4. Be aware of time commitment and living costs

Since unpaid internships can't guarantee a paid position at the end of the program, pay attention to how long the internship lasts and if the time investment will be worth it. Be careful to consider if your lifestyle can be maintained for that duration of time. Even if the position is a paid opportunity of your dreams, like the Disney College Program, be clear if the internship is limited to one-semester or longer. For example, the Disney internship is only available to enrolled students, lasts one-semester, and requires an application fee as well as a housing fee.

5. Relocation

The last point is especially crucial if an internship requires relocation. Ideal opportunities are worth the sacrifices of time and even creature comforts, but they need to be feasible. If you're required to relocate, don't jump to apply unless you're reasonably certain you have the means and willingness to change your environment. Does the internship offer housing? Is there's a fee, how much is it? Does the program compensate transportation costs? Be certain you know the answers before you apply.

Internships are strong enhancements on resumes and can introduce you to a network of professionals to begin your new career. However, legalities and logistics are vital to work out before you apply to a program that could take advantage of your time, energy, and skills.

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5 Signs It’s Time to Quit Your Job

CNBC

Whether you're bored or completely overwhelmed without enough resources, it may be time to leave your current position and seek out better opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that Americans are quitting their jobs at the highest rate since 2001. While it's normal to occasionally feel stuck or unsure of your next step, if those feelings persist and worsen then it's probably a sign you've outgrown your job. Economists, employers, and job recruiters share 5 common signs that it's time to change your work situations.

1.You're not being challenged

If your heart isn't in your work, then slogging through the daily grind isn't worth the pay. Maybe the company has changed from its original direction or your duties have been altered so that it's no longer the right fit. Take stock of the company's future and your place in it. If you can't see it aligning with your passions, then it's time to brush up on your skill and move on.

2. You're being under-utilized

You may find yourself bored and frustrated because you're being overlooked in the workplace. Whether you've been repeatedly passed over for a promotion or your bosses deny your requests, you shouldn't feel useless or ignored. Suzy Welch at CNBC describes the feeling, "You're stuck in the kind of job I call a 'velvet coffin' — comfortable, but deadly to your brain and spirit, not to mention your career."

3. You're not paid enough

Whether the company has downsized or your haven't received a raise in years, your compensation should be commensurate with your performance and skill levels. Similarly, if you've been asked to take on extra tasks but your pay doesn't reflect your increased workload, that's a sign that you're being underpaid. As always, consider the future and see if you have room to advance in your current position. If not, you should create an exit strategy.

4. Your health is affected

Stress can negatively affect your energy levels, your mood, and your physical health. Worse is the fact that high stress and anxiety can create a lethargy that harms your work performance. If your sick days are increasingly due to dread or fear, then your body is telling you that you need to find a healthier and more productive environment.

5. Offensive workplace behavior

Obviously, if your superiors or co-workers repeatedly exhibit negative, offensive, or inappropriate behavior, you have every right to look at other positions. While a company should provide protocols to report such behaviors to Human Resources, you may also want to consult an employment attorney who has your best interests at heart. Like putting your health first, you should protect your sense of security and safety.

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