Making the change

1. Determine your likes and dislikes.
   Whether you have identified your new career path or not, take a moment to evaluate what you like and dislike about your current role. What excites or bores you? Where do your passions lie? What are your personal interests, and could you find a career in them? Spend some time singling out what you really want, it’s the most important step to finding a career you’ll love.
   
   
2. Research your new career.
   Ok, so now you know what your passion is, what motivates and excites you in a job, it’s time to work out what career is right for you. How much research you do will of course be determined by the scope of the change you are intending to make.
   
   While you may be aware of the more visible roles in an industry, you may not be as familiar with the myriad of positions around it. For example, you may want to work in radio. You know there are jobs announcing, but behind the announcer there are numerous team members supporting them. Finding a mentor, somebody already working in the industry, can give you the inside track. Understanding the ups and downs of the job can help you clarify whether a position is really the right one for you. A mentor can also help you to understand what appeals to employers in their field.
   
   
3. What can you bring with you?
   When you sit down for an interview, you need to be clear about what you can bring to the table. To show your prospective employer how valuable you can be to them, review carefully what transferable skills you have now. Experience in areas such as communication, leadership or planning can be the kind of flexible skills that add weight to your application. You may be surprised how much experience you have already!
   
   
4. Taking on new skills
   Taking a course in your new discipline can help you on a number of levels:
   
   • It will help you to understand some of the intricacies of the role.
   • It will show a prospective employer you are committed to gaining new skills and take your new career seriously.
   • You will of course, gain a qualification that may be critical to moving within your new industry later.
   
   If you decide to take on further study, there are a number of flexible options available to you. Alternatively, if you are looking for certification, you don’t necessarily have to trek down to the local TAFE or University. An increasing number of courses have an online equivalent available.
   
   Volunteering may also be a viable option to get some ‘on the ground’ training, and displaying your dedication to employers. A volunteer position may also give you the inside track on what jobs are available and where.
   
   
5. Set goals
   Be realistic about the task ahead of you, and get ready to be flexible about how quickly you can get into your intended field. A good approach is to identify the next best position, or the best springboard for your career change. If you find yourself being knocked back for your ideal role, you can change tactics quickly and start applying for your second choice instead. You may not achieve your ideal position right away, but you can place yourself in the best position to get it next time.