New Job, New You
A fresh change of career is sometimes all we need to kick start our life back into shape, and to enable us to feel motivated, inspired and content again. Sometimes, we end up in jobs that we did not have any intention of staying in: if we left college or university and needed any type of job to help us get by, we may still be in that job feeling like our talents and skills are wasted there, but stay there because it is easy for us to do so and we are earning the type of money that we are used to. Or, you may have worked part time somewhere if your partner earns a good wage or if you have had children – you may still be in that part time job and have neglected your potential, and ability to learn and develop new skills.
When thinking about a new career, and what sort of career you would like to go into next and which sort of role would fit your skills, you need to think carefully about it. You have been in the same job for quite some time and have become so comfortable that all the different aspects of the job have developed to be second nature to you. In a new career, you will have to learn brand new skills, meet new people, and will need to be prepared for new (and sometimes difficult) tasks that you will have to overcome and deal with efficiently.
If you have worked in the manual labour industry, such as a plumber, electrician or builder, then you could think about a new career in something like contracting work. Contractors tend to live the same sort of work lifestyle that you could have become accustomed to, and even though you will still be using your skills, you will learn brand new ones too as the work tends to be varied and encompassing. Contractors do sometimes travel a lot, too, so you should be prepared for that – Dockyard Digs could be somewhere you could do some research on places you can stay whilst on the job.
If you worked as, for example, a receptionist for a long time then it is highly unlikely that a new career as a courier or a waiter/waitress will fit your needs. These sort of jobs can revolve around working long hours and sometimes for very little pay (there are exceptions, of course!) and you will also be on your feet for long periods, either carrying plates or carrying parcels to people. A receptionist could be better fitted to jobs like a PA, telephone centre call work or as a secretary.
It is important to acknowledge your existing skills when deciding on a change of career. Your skills can be redeveloped and adjusted to fit with a new job, and it also means you will not be left feeling confused and inadequate when you are struggling to complete and overcome tasks in your brand new career.