by TDK

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

Making a career change is a personal choice, and requires a lot of hard work and research in order to be successful. Maybe you want more money, a change of scenery, or just want to try something different. No matter where your motivations lie, the goal remains the same. Here are some tips on making it happen.

First of all, research the target profession. You should know the chosen profession inside and out before attempting to conquer it. For example, if the target profession is to be an Administrative Assistant, than research what skills are needed and where the best opportunities are located to obtain a job in Administration. Also research what employers in this profession are looking for as far as experience is concerned.

Next, update your skills set to reflect the profession. Chances are you already have most of the skills needed, and just need to sharpen them. If you do not have any of the skills needed in order to transition from where you are to where you want to be, than a number of actions can be taken. Take a class or two. Read some literature on the profession. Also, independently sharpen your skills by doing things you know you can improve on your own. Going back to the Administration example, if you cannot type 55 words per minute, than practice on websites that host typing games such as Typer Shark and Mario Typing. Not only will a real life skill be learned, but you will have fun in the process. It is simple actions such as this that can really aid in the evolution of a skills set.

After sharpening your skills, and scoping out the target profession, it's time to revamp the resume. Look at resumes of other professionals in the chosen career and pay attention to wording and layout. These aspects are just as important as the information within the resume. Be sure to include the new skills set, reflect the goals and ambitions of the profession, and include any other pertinent information.

Finally, go forth toward your chosen career with confidence in yourself and your knowledge of the profession. Reflect everything learned while networking with other professionals, and take rejection as further learning experience. Chances are you will not get the first opportunity offered. Keep moving forward, if you focus all of your energy on becoming a true professional in the chosen career path than the best possible opportunities will find you. It's up to you to acknowledge these opportunities and take them. A career change is a lot of work, and it takes time. You can do it and once you do than you can really shine in a profession that you are truly passionate about. Good luck!

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