Earlier, one used to join and retire from a similar job or field. With the changing technology and dynamic shifts consumer needs, reflected in tectonic shifts in services, products and their approach to market, the life of expertise and the tenor at a job is decreasing exponentially.
The current generation has never been ready for this change. Net Results, there is an enhanced anxiety and understated insecurities. With the companies working in QSQT ( Quarter sey Quarter tak- one quarter at a time) mode, it is foolhardy to expect employees to plan a 15-20 year career. This uncertainty leads the current generations looking for a career shift at some stage during their lives. The way it is shaping up, these changes will be soon be reflected in a shortened 5-7 year cycle of employment.
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It can become a forced decision. However, before that, it may be right to evaluate the options and take a proactive action or the loss of job might trigger the genesis of a change. The choice is yours to make.
Different people react differentially. Some will take the thought of a new career path as exciting whereas a lot many may consider it to be daunting. Resultant risk and rewards could be high in such cases.
A conscious approach can help to minimize the risk and maximize reward.
For a smoother transition, it will be wise to read this article and take the tips seriously. My suggestion will be to slowly but surely work on and avoid being caught at the wrong end.
HAVE AAS MUCH CLARITY AS POSSIBLE ON WHY YOU WANT TO CHANGE IN YOUR CAREER. It could be that you are utterly dissatisfied with the current career. You are getting complacent with the role or your position is threatened by the new younger generation, which is being preferred for the same role and responsibilities.
You need to dig deeper. What is the cause for dissatisfaction? What is the real threat? Why is the job no longer satisfying? What does the new generation bring to table that threatens you? Are you not being compensated enough? You need to know so that a change of career does not lead you to a similar path.
It is critical that you do not flee to the first available opportunity. You must make a proactive conscious decision about your future and take concrete steps to realize it.
Many a time, the best time to start this discussion with you is when the things are really going fine, when you do not expect to be making the change. At such a stage, your emotional state is far more conducive to make a better-learned choice.
FULLY UNDERSTAND, WHAT YOU WANT. Do not get trapped in the hype and general characteristics of the job, role and responsibilities. The real job rarely seems to matter while choices are made. Mentoring, flexibility and autonomy are some of the characteristics that can lead to undesired biases in decisions. There will be multiple choices that may provide the job macro characteristics you have been seeking. Your aim should be to identify the perfect job not a match of macro sentiments.
DREAM BIG. THINK BIG. BE REALISTIC. You must honestly evaluate your space based on age and the background, the timing and the efforts. Playing professional cricket at state level and wanting to qualify for IAS may not be realistic. And trust not every possible career could be a potentially viable option for you. These mismatched dreams can only lead to frustrations and result in loss of progress.
DETERMINE AND GAIN THE SKILL SETS AND THE EDUCATION YOU NEED FOR THE NEW CAREER.. A change in career may not need fresh education but could ask for a different knowledge and skill set. Is that digital, VR, AR, research tools, service processes, analytics or public speaking. You need to check out, what you need for the transition to the next level of job or career. Use this period of lag between decision and the point of change to gain the expertise in identified fields. Do not waste time, start building expertise and necessary skills as quickly a possible.
AVOID QUITTING BEFORE HAVING A JOB ON HAND. Unless you are turning entrepreneur, it is not a good idea to quit the job before the next one is finalized. Wait until you get the option, you have been preparing for. It is surprising that how soon the saving account and funds run dry, and the dependable close associates become acquaintances.
Now, that may not be possible for all the cases. In case of a sudden and unexpected job loss, consider taking a short term job until you make that desired career shift. Words of caution, the part-time job, must be related to the new field that you plan to enter.
EXPECT TO START AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL. Unless the new career substantially
draws on to the existing competencies of the last career, you are most likely to start a level below. It will impact the facilities and the treatment you will get within the Organization. The rule is simple and logical, bigger the change, more the chances for you to start at a lower position of role and responsibilities and sometimes even the earnings.
NETWORK ASAP IN THE NEW FIELD. Hunt for connections in the next field. Get out and enhance your network in that arena. This network will come in handy in the new career. Hence, it is always wise to have an expanded network than a very narrow focused one.
THINK AND THINK AGAIN. You must evaluate your choices in complete honesty and transparency; it is after all your life at stake, it is expected that the new generation will have a minimum of 2-3 career in their professional life. However, the current situations should not seriously force this generation to make more than one career change.
To ensure that you are forced to live the life of hop-step and jumping career, take time to study the alternatives, make conscious eyed open decision and prepare yourself for the future. It is in your hand, whether you will remain future proof as far as employability is concerned.
Go ahead and tick all the boxes. Choose wisely and move at a calculated pace that you set.
