As you continue your job
search, it inevitably crosses your mind that you should think about a career
change. This may be a good choice or a
bad one. It is my intent here to offer
some suggestions and alternatives for you to consider.
SPIN-OFF CAREERS -
Spin-off careers typically use a certain amount of your current skills and are
relevant enough that you can legitimately apply for a job. Most of us have skills that can be used in
other fields. What career fields exist
that are related to your current career and skills? Which skills can be totally or partially used
in another field? Take a career
assessment test and determine what options are available based on the results.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - All of us have transferable skills that can be
used in a variety of fields. Examples of these are: interpreting data, managing people, problem
solving, selling products, writing/editing, etc. Which of
these skills could you market in other fields?
SELF-EMPLOYMENT - At some point in our lives, everyone thinks
of working for themselves. The Small
Business Administration has a division called SCORE - a group of retired
businessmen who will assist you at little or no charge if you decide on this
option.
If you want to open a business, you may also want
to consider:
● A
franchise – sometimes they work if it is the right fit for you. I urge you to observe people working in the
franchise field you are considering.
● Buying an existing business.
● Checking with a family member or
friend who is about to retire from a business and/or is looking for a partner
to take over down the road.
● Partnership with another person
(sometimes these do not work if it is with a family member or friend).
● Professional
tutor – a field that is growing and which you can do part-time.
● Service, information, and health
fields continue to be hot ones right now.
These three may continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable
future.
● Using your current skills as a
consultant.
● Working
part-time in the business you want to open.
RETRAINING - Most of us will work
all of our lives - full or part-time.
What would you like to do continuously on a part-time basis? Is this the time to think about it? Perhaps you can now consider retraining by
going back to school or upgrading your skills.
Look at shadowing - visiting a person working on the job in fields that
you are interested in.
You could also examine these
choices: Military Services or Apprentice Trades
where you are paid while you train (electricians, machinists, and plumbers are
in demand).
Career changes are possible.
Whether you make a total career change or move into a spin-off or
related career, it is important to plan it carefully. Few of us will ever totally retire and if you
are interested in changing jobs, now is the time to decide how you will spend
the rest of your working life.
Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor