[ad_1]
Find your ‘why’
Take a couple of hours over the weekend to answer a few questions for yourself. Why do you feel the need to switch jobs? Think about job satisfaction, personal goals, growth opportunities and work-life balance. What are the reasons for your dissatisfaction? Common reasons can include lack of growth, with no place for advancement, or a monotonous job that neither excites nor engages you. Does the salary not cover your needs or aspirations, or is job security missing in the role? Is it the lack of worklife balance, a terrible boss, or a toxic work environment that makes it impossible to go to work? Know your reasons to bring clarity and direction for your next role.Build a new perspective
If you know why you want to quit your job, but have no clue about your next move, you need to break out of your current frame and create a fresh, energising perspective. Start by removing the deadline for finding the perfect job or career. Don’t dwell on any current limitations of money, education or support. Read a lot, meet people from different backgrounds, try new projects and travel extensively to build a wide perspective. Understand the true nature of various jobs from successful people in those roles. Ask how the job or career impacts the customer or community. Understand what kind of work-life balance is available, what type of people or manager you get to work with, and how you will evolve as a person in that career. Use these insights to decide what really matters to you and, thus, what you can choose as your long-term or temporary goal.
Your plan
Plan your job transition thoroughly to make your journey easier. Start with how you will handle the potential income gap during the transition period. Maybe you need to build some savings first. Which are the networks you will reach out to for advice, referrals and job leads? Start reconnecting with ex-colleagues and people in the industry. Attend industry gatherings and become involved with relevant communities. Figure out which skills are valuable for your new career and invest in acquiring these through courses or workshops. Finally, work on your resume, as well as online profiles. Learn to use job search platforms, seek out recruiters and visit company websites to discover opportunities.
Challenges
Be prepared for a rough journey. When you are changing jobs, it may take longer that you assumed. Many of your job search initiatives may fail because your information or assumptions about the current market was incomplete or erroneous. Your age may be a negative factor for some employers. Your work experience may be too little or too much, or even irrelevant, in the hiring manager’s perspective. You may not make it to the shortlist or get the job offer you expected. To manage the journey, start with baby steps and prepare for each challenge. Set yourself small, achievable goals for the job search process. Reduce the gap in skills by learning online and gaining some experience through freelancing projects or parttime work. Learn to articulate the value,flexibility and adaptability you bring when someone questions your age or experience.New job
Once you have landed a new role, your goal is to succeed in it. Approach your role with a beginner’s attitude. Do not carry preconceived ideas and judgements from your past experiences in your new position. Your enthusiasm for the job and willingness to adapt will help your team accept you faster. Spend the first few weeks to understand the processes, expectations and people around you. Embrace the challenges of the first few months of adapting to a new environment, building new relationships, and possibly learning new skills, while you try to keep up with the deliverables expected. Look for opportunities to receive feedback and improve in your role. Leverage the available onboarding process and training programs to learn about your employer and connect with people across the company. Utilise cross functional projects to build strong relationships and networks and seek out mentors within your organisation.
Growth mindset
Which mindset do you have—fixed or growth? A growth mindset is about how much you believe your basic qualities like intelligence and abilities can be changed or developed by learning and hard work. A fixed mindset is about how much you believe your basic qualities are fixed or permanent. If you are looking at switching a job or career, a growth mindset helps. Understanding and adopting this mindset helps you approach the transition through a process of continuous learning and effort. You can then accept criticism as a tool for improvement, and deal with setbacks and failures better. The resilience, persistence and optimism of a growth mindset help you navigate the pitfalls and timeline of your bold and successful job switch.
STRUGGLING TO FIND THE FIRST JOB?
1.ANALYSE FAILURE
Are you a fresh graduate and haven’t landed a job? Figure out what is stopping you. Are you not getting interview calls? Learn to use job portals correctly and apply for more positions. Use your network to find referral opportunities. Failing in interviews? Conduct mock rounds and use feedback to improve.
2.GAIN EXPERIENCE
The best way to qualify for a good first job is to gain real world skills and certifiable work experience. Seek out formal internships and apprenticeships with either startups or large firms. Even unpaid opportunities or volunteering in family businesses and NGOs can differentiate you from others.
3.BACK TO SCHOOL
If you have planned a post graduate qualification like an MBA in the future, consider doing it now. Bad job markets do not last. By the time you graduate, the job market will change and you may get a better first job. Stay away from non-marketable degrees or institutions that do not improve your prospects.
4.INCOME FIRST
If you need to start earning immediately, expand your job search. Apply to jobs that require lower qualification than you possess. Look at positions that may pay lesser or have a longer commute. Explore gig or freelance work on online platforms. Choose to act and build momentum for your career and income.
5.GO WHERE THE JOBS ARE
The final advice is to step out of your comfort zone. Be the migrant who leaves the convenience of his home and creates a better future. Exit your current location and go to places where jobs are available. Follow in the footsteps of your successful friends and relatives, and seek their help to get started.
(THE WRITER IS FOUNDER & CEO, SALARYNEXT.COM, A JOB LOSS ASSURANCE COMPANY)
[ad_2]
Source link