So you need tips on changing jobs, planning the shift is both an exciting and stomach-wrenching feeling. Sometimes we begin feeling unfulfilled, bored, like we are going through the work-motions. Like the only thing keeping us tied to our job is that paycheck. But a career change is becoming a norm, with the average person changing careers seven times in a lifetime. So, let’s look at tips and how to change jobs.

For some of us, switching careers is an easy “yes, I know what I want to do next,” they say with windswept hair and so much determination they’ve become cross-eyed. But for most of us, it can be more of a vacant and clueless experience. But don’t stress, these tips on changing jobs will see you through to a whole world of new possibilities.

If this question has kept you up at night, you’re not alone. The first step is to understand yourself fully and almost from an employers’ perspective. Then, get a notepad, write out everything you loved about your current or recent role, and write everything you really don’t want to do ever again after you change jobs.

What are your skills? What are the skills you loved applying to your job, and what possible jobs could see you doing more of that? These are all questions only you can unearth the answer of – then think about what employers are looking for from your skills.

I remember when I was very clueless about what I wanted, I would look at all the jobs on the market. Once you know what skills you have and enjoy doing the most, begin looking at application requirements. What jobs are popular on the market, and do your skills match them?

Make sure to look at future proof jobs too. If the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to be aware of job security. Perhaps you have an idea of a side hustle or business venture you want to take. In which case how to change jobs involves staying at a regular job part-time or full-time and trying your business out on the side.

Clear Out Mental Blocks

If you are creative and love creating work, but you’re afraid to share it, these fears and insecurities will block you from achieving those goals. So instead, practice doing what you love a little bit every day; that’s the only difference between those who succeed and those who don’t.

Time and Money

Sometimes it takes a lot of time to discover what we truly want to do in life. Discovering what we love and how to profit from it is no easy road. So, invest the much-needed time and money into your future.

Finding Fulfilment

Success, wild riches, more time with the family, creative freedom, helping other people – what is your idea of fulfilment? If you don’t know yet, start thinking about it. One of the best tips on changing jobs is to find what excites you, and would every day. Once you know what brings you fulfilment – you’ll make smarter career choices.

Keep Learning

Whether that’s skills or about yourself and others, don’t stop learning. No matter what job you choose, there’s always more to know about it – more to specialize in. There are plenty of free online courses in almost all subject areas. Try them before making the switch.

Become Financially Savvy

Budgeting, bills, food, business operations, courses, certifications, and even your personal investments. Learn how to take care of the money coming in and the coins going out. This will especially help those switching to a freelance career – as you will need to be your own accountant.

  Life coach, business coach, fitness coach – these things cost money. But if you have the money, it would be so worth investing in. They can guide you through and help you change jobs. Why? Because investing in yourself is always worthwhile.

Are our skills and talent the same thing? Yes, and no.

Skills can be an aspect of talent. You can build these skills and learn, getting better each day. But your talent, now that’s completely different (and not in the way you think). Your talent as we like to see it is the thing you absolutely adore – it’s what you do without even thinking about it.

Talent is not something you’re born with – we don’t believe in that; it is what you commit to practising all the time. It is what ignites your soul, brings you joy, helps you learn about yourself, and inspires you every day.

Some great tips for changing jobs might start with assessing your talent or talents and trying to see how you could apply that to a career or side business of your own.

Some of our definitions and examples of talents:

• Singing, acting, painting, all arts
• Understanding others (empathy)
• Incredible memory
• Writing (fiction, non-fiction, web copy, poetry, etc.)
• Innovating
• Creating products (inventor, design)
• Listening to others
• Self-managing (& creating businesses)
• Negotiating and selling
• Property or furniture renovating
• Interior design
• Fitness
• Managing people
• The list goes on…

A top tip for changing jobs is volunteering and shadowing a job to test it out. Once you figure out what you might love, ask a company if you can shadow for a couple of months to see if you love it and if you’re skilled.

When you’re there, ask the employees what their experiences have been, how they got the job, and what the downsides are. Gathering the information will give you a great overview of what to expect on the job.

If you’re not looking to do a regular nine-to-five but instead looking for a more freelance role or creating your own company, then try speaking to experts. Track down others who have done what you plan to do and invite them for a coffee (real or virtual depending on COVID-19 rules).

The ability to pick someone’s brain is invaluable. Ask them what they struggled with, how they built their business, what steps and procedures they took. You can also find plenty of information online from industry experts to help you feel like you’re not batting in the dark.

Once you’ve discovered exactly what you want to do, it’s a case of getting started. Then, to master anything, just keep doing it.

“Through practice, gently and gradually, we can collect ourselves and learn how to be more fully with what we do.” – Jack Kornfield.

Mastery is about becoming more present and knowledgeable about the work we do. No matter what career you decide to do, try to infuse joy and mindfulness into it. That is sometimes more important than certifications (unless your dream is to be a doctor).

When we set times and dates to learn a new skill and reach our goals, it makes it feel more real. Try and create a timetable for each step of the job change process. Tips on changing jobs will usually advise that if you need more notifications or pop-ups in your life, set reminders on your phone of what you need to get done. But we think actually writing it down on paper can psychologically help solidify these plans, so get a notepad ready!

• The time it will take to research jobs
• Finding the right companies
• Application time
• Interview preparations
• Interviews themselves
• Welcome aboard your new job time

 

Tips on Changing Jobs at The Right Time

By asking yourself the right questions you can figure out if it is time for you to change jobs. For example, will changing give you better pay? Will it be less stressful? Will a new job offer you a better work-life balance? Do you want a new challenge or to do something you’re passionate about? If your answer to these questions are yes, then the time might be now for a change.

The Pandemics Affect

COVID-19 hit the job markets hard. With spending going down, jobs were being furloughed and lost. Many businesses shut their doors and only now is the global economy starting to perk up again. It also made people see the importance of a stable job that provides a good work-life balance.

How To Change Jobs

So, how do you go about changing jobs? What if you already are in a job that you want to leave as soon as possible! That can be a tough spot to be in. It usually starts with scouting for jobs online, getting a recruiter to do that for you, and getting into interviews.

You can go to interviews without telling your current employer, and then once you land the ideal job, hand in your notice.

Here are a few things to look out for just before changing jobs:

• Gain extra skills at your current work to boost your appeal
• Refresh your resume and wardrobe
• Sign up for alerts
• Talk to recruiters in the industry you’re interested in
• Your network of friends can be helpful when job seeking
• Your social media should be a professional hub (Employers will check it all)
• Create a portfolio if you’re in a more creative field
• Once you land an interview – hand in your notice of leave to your boss
• Prepare for your new role!

 

Advice on Salary When Changing Jobs

A good rule of thumb is usually 10% to 20% more than your previous job. But if you’re going into a job where your role has more or less responsibility, then this can vary. Sometimes the money doesn’t matter anyway – if it’s something you genuinely want to be doing. A top tip on changing jobs is to start small and become the expert over a number of years (then you’ll earn more.)

Changing Career vs Changing Job

A complete career overhaul can worry us into thinking we are going through a mid-life crisis (at any age). But it can be the best decision ever made if we put our intentions behind it, and figure out how to change jobs effortlessly. Whether it’s a job or a career doesn’t make a difference in the advice. Either way, you will need to look inside and ask yourself questions to discover what you genuinely want.

If you’re somehow not aware of the platform LinkedIn, then that’s impressive! LinkedIn is a platform that acts as a jobs board and networking tool. You can use it to add people and expand your network, or you can use it to browse jobs in your chosen field.

Another bonus is that LinkedIn has recruiters who scout the website for perfect matches. So, go on there and create a stunning profile, add your previous work and a professional photo. If you have no idea what to write, then look up others in your field for inspiration; probably wouldn’t copy and paste it though.

Getting ready to switch jobs means heading to the shops, the hairdressers, and practicing the classic questions: “yes, my weaknesses are interviews and first impressions.”

Start by getting some nice outfits, then sprucing up your appearance. Not just because the world is a bit shallow, but because it will boost your confidence in an interview. We feel good when we look in the mirror and look nice. That can subtly affect your body language, the way you speak and help you land the dream job.

You’ll see a lot of articles on tips on changing jobs that talk about getting your friends and family to practice through questions with you. Although that could be handy, it also never feels as nerve-wracking and as real as a proper interview.

So, instead, think of the first few interviews you do as practice! Because it’s completely normal to need to go to a few before landing the perfect job. Go into it with the mindset that it is a practice run, prepare for it beforehand and remember to take a deep breath and maybe some water.

If you’ve been in the same job a while, then you’re going to need to dust off the old resume and add all the new information. There are so many amazing online programs you can use to create eye-catching CV’s. For example, Canva is a great place to grab a template and then make it your own.

A top tip is to use the same template as your CV for your cover letter, which you can easily do on software like Canva.

If you’re super prepared for your interview, statistics show that you should get a job offer after 2-4 employers. It can take time, and it’s not necessarily your fault. Jobs usually have many applications sent in – even getting an interview is a fantastic sign.

Don’t lose hope that you will eventually change jobs. Sometimes we want desperately to leave the company we are at, but the truth of the situation is it’s a waiting game. All you can do is keep trying to find the perfect position for you.

Sometimes what other people want for us in life can cloud our judgement. Other times survival does. The need to earn to live can stop us in our goals. But if we are honest with ourselves, we know we are capable of anything we truly put our mind to. We have the power to shape the future we want – all it takes is thought

coupled with positive actions and steps towards it. (and these tips on changing jobs?)

By learning what jobs are on the market, investing in ourselves, discovering our talent, practising our skills, putting a timetable together, we can make changing jobs look easy. Remember one thing – employers invest in people. If you’re warm-hearted, well presented, and have the skills, then you’re ready for success. Whatever that success looks like to you.