After the global pandemic and with the current financial uncertainty and increasing living cost issues, many people have been looking for new jobs. You might be keen to do something different career-wise to help you achieve your goals but are holding back for one or more reasons.
It’s important to consider if these reasons are actually things that should stop you from going after what you want, though. Here are some ideas that might be holding you back unnecessarily.
Lacking Qualifications
Are you avoiding committing to a career change because you think or know you’re not adequately qualified for the type of role you want to move into? If you lack expertise in a subject matter, this is a valid concern, but it doesn’t mean it will stop you from making a change. You may need to commit to your education to get where you want to be.
For instance, it might be time to return to school and start a degree, certificate program, or the like. You may need to enroll in some specific computer or other training, obtain a license, or get experience in a particular area to be certified. It can take time, often years, to obtain qualifications that will help you move forward, but the sooner you start, the closer you get to having the paperwork you need. You may even be able to find an entry-level job of some sort that allows you to gain experience in your new field while you’re gaining your education.
Worrying about Money
Worrying about finances is another valid and often primary concern when it comes to changing jobs. You might be concerned about the risks of moving into a different area and the impacts on your income now and into the future. However, while it’s wise to be cautious, you can also devise a plan to help you transition over time.
For example, work hard to save up money to cover yourself when you have to work your way back up from the bottom and earn less than you currently do for a time. Putting together enough money to tide you over for a year or so can help alleviate a lot of the financial pressure. Also, keep in mind that it’s often possible to keep working part-time in your current role or industry and thus at your current income level while transitioning part-time into the new career, which will help to lessen the pay gap.
Another idea is to talk to your boss to see if there’s any way your current employer would be keen to keep you on board by investing in your education. That way, you can stay working for them and move to a new role once you’ve completed your new qualifications. Alternatively, consider applying for helpful installment loans to cover your student costs or see if you can qualify for a scholarship or obtain other funding or assistance.
Timing Concerns
Perhaps you’ve been putting off making a career change because you’re worried about the timing. If you have a new baby, recently spent a lot of money renovating your home or buying a new property, or are factoring in external issues like recessions, industry job cuts, political uncertainty, and the like, you may feel nervous about leaving the relative security of your current role.
However, while it’s good to think these things through, some of them may actually mean you’d be safer moving to a new area, particularly if your current field is declining or likely to be hit quickly by an economic downturn. Also, remember that regardless of what’s happening in the world, quality businesses are continuously looking for motivated, passionate, committed, loyal employees, and your interest in making a change could, in fact, make you a better candidate for a role than you think. You won’t seem jaded like people who have worked in the industry for decades, and you can bring fresh ways of looking at things and transferable skills from your prior jobs.
If timing is an issue for you, it’s also helpful to chat with your partner or other family members to see how they would feel about you making a move. You might be hesitant to cause upheaval for your loved ones, but they might be much more supportive than you realize.
Other common reasons people hold off on changing careers include a lack of confidence, being unsure about the right path to take, or feeling too young or old for a new job type.
All of these concerns can be mitigated and strategized about, though, so see what ideas you can come up with before dismissing your dreams altogether. With a plan and purpose, big and challenging things are possible.
