Is A Career Change Worthwhile?

When you start your career in the working world, you expect that this is going to be what you want to do all of the time. But when this career becomes less enjoyable, you may consider a career change. But, will this really be worthwhile?

When you decide to have a career change, you are essentially going back to square one in your working life. You are going back to being the trainee, more than likely taking a pay cut. If you are able to cope with these changes a career change can be extremely beneficial to you. If you are unhappy with what you are currently doing, a career change is going to be the best thing you can do. A happy worker is one that is going to be more productive. If you want to have a more enjoyable life you need to ensure you are doing what makes you happy, whether a career change is needed is up to you.

Summer jobs coming to an end

If you have taken a position which was a summer job then you may soon be finding yourself out of work. Fear not there are many more jobs on the horizon and with all the university students heading back, many businesses are on the look out to recruit. If you are looking to work in the retail industry then you may find that shops are starting to recruit over the next few months ready for the run up to Christmas. The position may only be temporary again but often you can find a job that is temporary with the possibility of it leading to permanent work.

Make sure that you have your CV up to date and try and get in as early as possible. Spend a day or two going around dropping in your CV and speaking to business owners to see if they may be having any vacancies coming up.

An agency is a good way to find work fast in your local area. You have the option to go for temporary work where you may be working at different places each day or to wait a little longer and find a permanent placement.

Creating the perfect CV

Your CV is your first opportunity to impress a potential employer, so it is worth putting effort into and getting it just right. There are two main things to look at when editing your CV – what it looks like and how it reads.

The formatting should be neat and consistent. Choose a font that is easy to read and use it for the main text, perhaps opting for a slightly fancier font for the headings if you wish. The colour should be black although a splash of colour in the headings is also acceptable. Ensure that the margins are symmetrical, indents are consistent and the line spacing does not fluctuate between paragraphs.

When it comes to the content, you need to aim for around a page and a half to two pages. With some clever adjustments such as the margins, font size and spacing, you can squeeze quite a bit of information onto each page but if your CV runs over several pages you will have to lose some of the content. Often the job history is far more detailed and repetitive than it needs to be, so sometimes words can be lost from here. Some minor qualifications, if you have an extensive list, can also be omitted. There are several sections that should be included such as a personal profile written clearly and straight to the point, education, work history and hobbies and interests to show what sort of a person you are outside of work – we are not robots, after all.

 

HR- how can they Help?

The HR department should be your first port of call if you are experiencing any issues within your job. They can also be an important contact if you are looking for a new job or have just been offered a new position. HR can give you lots of information about a position that you might not be able to get from anyone else.

If you are experiencing any issues at all, make sure HR are aware. These could be personal issues or they may be problems directly linked to your job, such as a difficult manager or struggles with your workload. An HR employee will be able to give you support and advice on the issue and they will not be able to tell anyone about it without your permission. They will have a good knowledge of workplace rules and regulations, as well as your specific company, so they are in a good position to advise you.

How to Manage a Career Change

Changing career is always going to be difficult. There are some ways in which you can make the transition more easily, reducing your stress and leading to better outcomes. Here is some advice:

  • Think carefully before making a career change. It is going to be a stressful time and interviews and applications take a long time. Don’t apply for jobs that you don’t really want.
  • Plan your career progress. Look into working for companies and organisations where you can be happy for the foreseeable future.
  • Make sure you check your contract thoroughly. Unanswered questions now could lead to problems in the future. Be clear on your contract and understand it fully.
  • Talk to a careers adviser. It’s an expensive service but it can help you reach your goals and achieve more. They can help you plan your career and make the right career move decisions to take the pressure off you.