You could make a career shift in 2021. It is important to mention the hardships that the COVID-19 epidemic caused, which resulted in millions of people losing their jobs. Others who retained their jobs were left confused by the question: “Is it the right time to change my career?” You may need to make significant lifestyle changes, or try a new job within your company.
Companies were also forced to participate in a social experiment by the coronavirus epidemic. People are increasingly interested in careers that allow them to have stable careers and work remotely. This is a result of social distancing policies.
Employees in older generations who would have changed jobs had to choose to remain on their current job path. They feared that too many job changes could make them look disloyal and fickle. This perception is different for Millennials and Gen Zers. Studies show that 88% percent of Americans who have recently switched careers say they feel happier. This is a very high approval rating, which shows that even though the change in career can be difficult, it can lead to greater satisfaction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that IT jobs will be among the most popular in 2021.
Pivots and career changes involve more risk, disruption and friction than traditional linear career paths. Our step-by-step guide to changing your career in 2021 will help you understand what it takes.
Tips to Maximize Career Change Efforts
Make a plan
There are many reasons to make a career change. Surveys show that top reasons for career transition are not just making more money. Top responses include the desire to have a shorter commute, more flexibility, better professional development and happiness. The majority of respondents say that happiness at work is their main reason for reinventing their career. Because motivations are different for each person, and because there may be multiple desires at play, it is important to create a plan that reflects your priorities and goals. Once you have a clear understanding of your goals and requirements for a particular position, you can create an outline to help you target your desired roles and decide if a job is right for you.
Evaluate your values, talents, and interests
To identify your most preferred skills and activities, review your volunteer work, achievements, roles, jobs, projects, and other relevant experiences. Is your current career addressing your core values and skills? If so, it’s time for you to look at other career options. Your time and energy spent on changing careers can be better spent if you find a path that brings you joy and enriches your life. Do not hesitate to make that your new career goal.
Other careers
Are you looking for a different career? You might be open to other career options. If so, get a piece of paper and start brainstorming. Discuss your career options with friends and network contacts. We can help you learn everything you need about the IT industry if you’re thinking of starting a new career. We can provide more information on specific IT fields so you can conduct an evaluation of the IT industry in comparison.
Connect you competencies to the market
It is a great first step to consider changing careers and setting goals. You must also show potential employers why your are a good hire. Ideal candidates are qualified and interested. Look at job descriptions to see if you can match your experience and desires to the required skills and competencies. To maximize your chances of landing a job, look for roles that require you to be 70% qualified or more. If you don’t want to learn new skills or put off learning them, it’s a sign you are not the right fit for a particular role.
Creating a job shadow
Job shadowing involves spending time with professionals in a particular field to observe their work. You can gain a better understanding of the career by watching for just a few hours or a few days. Internships, apprenticeships and volunteering are great opportunities to gain practical experience.
Education
You should research the educational opportunities available to you in order to enter a new career. You should consider taking a course and enrolling in a training program to get the certifications. You can learn new skills and make a career transition.
It’s not enough to apply for jobs in a new field. It is important to tell your network that you are actively seeking a new career. ).
Have patience
What is the average time it takes to change careers and find a new job? Recent survey data shows that about 80% of Americans (of 1000 working Americans) think that a job hunt shouldn’t take more than three months. This may seem unrealistic as other studies have shown that career changers can take up to 11 months to decide to change careers. You should expect to be able to switch careers for anywhere from 6-12 months.
Make your tools
Once you have the skills and experience, you can start to improve your job search tools. Your LinkedIn profile should be updated and your resume customized to reflect your qualifications. Look at the job postings to see what format your resume should take.
Reach out to others in your network who may have insight or connections related to your job goal. You can also make the most of relationships you have with people you were once close to (e.g. dormant connections) that you have lost touch with in a while.
Based on the feedback received during informational meetings or job interviews, modify your resume and profile. To expand your knowledge, you can find online groups, professional associations and panel presentations as well as conferences.
Is it worth changing careers to IT?
Tech workers are in high demand, leading to a talent shortage. This means that IT jobs can be very lucrative. People with the right skills are offered competitive salaries to help fill the talent gap. Tech jobs are generally well-paid, and many people chose this career path to increase their income.
People typically wait 12 months to decide if they want to switch industries. This is two months more than for people who move into other industries. This is because IT job requirements include knowledge of specific programs, systems, and hiring managers must learn them. However, transferable skills (such soft skill), such as time management and adaptability can be transferred between industries.
How do employees break into the IT industry?
People who have switched to IT take specific courses or training programs in order to make the transition. Many people return to college to pursue a technical degree. Some people don’t have time to go back to college and opt to train in order to change careers. Mentors and career coaches are also available to help you see your career path. Career coaches are a great resource for older job seekers. They can offer valuable career advice and help you plan your career.
Social media is a great tool for making the transition to the IT industry. It can be used to search for a new career path, to learn and improve your skills, to network and make connections, and to apply to the relevant positions (e.g. LinkedIn).
The financial cost of changing jobs is a major factor in making a decision. On average, people changing jobs in other industries spend $15,500 to continue their education. However, those who pay for I-T-skills training spend $38,000. The investment is worthwhile, however, as employees receive competitive salaries. Many career changers were able to recover the financial investment that they made in changing careers. Software engineers, for example, can easily make $150,000 per annum in a highly competitive field like IT.
It is important to make certain commitments in order to transition into IT. However, most IT workers report feeling happier after making this change. It might appear more like a natural progression to IT than a career shift, as employees from a variety of industries (from finance and marketing) are learning more about data analytics and tech skills to help them do their jobs. This could be a sign of the way tech skills will become more important across many types of work in future. Because they’re harnessing AI’s power, organizations are becoming more data-driven. Data must be collected, analyzed, and processed across roles.
Reimagining your career can be rewarding and challenging. You should anticipate what experience employers are looking for before you begin building your skills. Next, find training courses that will allow you to solve real-world problems and build your portfolio of work samples. It is essential to clarify your values and identify your strengths. However, without taking action, it will be utterly ineffective. You can become self-conscious by overthinking and intellectualizing. Action is the best way to overcome doubt. You should look for low-risk, small opportunities that you can complete in the few hours you have.
When you’re ready to apply for jobs in your field, create a resume that is based on your goals and a cover letter that reflects what your aspirations are. To reduce your risk of making poor decisions, and to help you recognize when it is time to learn new skills and seek out new opportunities, focus on creating a career advancement plan.