 |
Career options, strategies and support for career changers
A career change
There are a number of factors to take into account in any career move, personal and practical. All involve change: in direction, in circumstances, in career goals and possibly in finances.
The reasons for a change in career will affect your outlook on future career plans. If the change is through choice you need to think carefully about the consequences of a move. Will it involve retraining, learning new skills, a change of working environment, a house move or changes to your financial position. If a career change something that has been forced on you by redundancy, a change in family circumstances or illness, you need to ask yourself 'Can I use the skills and knowledge that I have to start again?'
Options
- Re-training
A career or a change of direction within a career often involves re-training. The cost of retraining may be met by your existing employer with help from local initiatives through the Training and Enterprise Council (TEC).
However, in some circumstances, retraining may mean a cut in salary. For example, you may decide to quit your present job as a joiner and return to college to train as a teacher.
Re-training can take the form of short courses/ work schemes lasting up to six months, or long term courses lasting more than a year. You local TEC or careers service will help you analyse your training needs so that you can decide the best training method for you.
- Self-employment
Self-employment is a popular option if you have skills, knowledge and possibly qualifications that you can utilise in a new, independent career.
You may follow the self-employed route because you want flexibility in your working life, control over what you do or simply a challenge. It is a form of employment favoured by people who take early retirement from their chosen career but are not yet ready to take it easy!
There is a wealth of advice for self-employed people or for those who are considering self-employment. Local initiatives are available to help businesses start up and if you are aged between 18 and 29, you may be interested in The Prince's Youth Business Trust, (PYBT). PYBT is a charity set up to assist young people who have a good business idea but no means of funding.
Self employment is not an easy option but it does have its advantages.
- Voluntary work
A possible way into the job market for career changers is through voluntary work. Many people move into permanent employment through this route.
Strategies
- Prepare a career development plan
This is a personal statement of what you want to do and how you want to do it. It should incorporate your present level of knowledge and skills.
- Create a Personal Portfolio
This is similar to a Record of Achievement and shows examples of what you have achieved in your work. It may be samples of work you have done or work you have been involved with, recorded in whatever way you feel does justice to your work - photographs, study files, project files, or written accounts.
- Develop good job search skills and techniques
Letter writing, telephone calls, application procedures, CVs and interviews are all part of the process. Use newspapers, personal networks (friends and contacts), and the job centre to help you find a job.
See search for employment
- Locate and use local sources of help
Contact your local Careers Service and ask their advice.
Check out the possibilities of financial support through local initiatives. (See TECs) Training Grants and Career Development Loans are just two ways in which TECs can help you pay for training you want.
On a personal level you may get help with 'Out of School' child-care schemes, or you may want to consider Psychometric Testing or Personality Profiling to discover more about yourself. Again the TEC or Careers Service can help.
|
