Step 2: Discover what energises you
The hardest part of a career crisis is figuring out what you want to do next. This can be quite overwhelming. By focusing on what energises you, you can more easily work out what careers align to you personally.
Think about the times at work when you’ve felt most energised and focused. When have you been in a state of flow? When have you felt most engaged?
Grab a pen and paper and answer these questions:
- What are my strengths?
- What do people ask me to help them with?
- What comes easily to me?
- What tasks or activities do I feel most refreshed or engaged by?
- What tasks or activities leave me feeling depleted or disengaged?
- What do I value in my job or career?
- What’s a non-negotiable for me in my work or career?
Once you’ve got your answers, assess careers and job opportunities for a match. Browse job ads on Seek, snoop around LinkedIn, and ask others who have taken different paths to open your mind to what could be possible. You may even like to show your answers to a close friend or family member and ask them for what they think aligns with your personality or values. This is an exercise in crossing options off the list, as much as it is about uncovering your next adventure.
Step 3: Design your career change game plan
Before you make a big move, you need a game plan. This will guide you through the change.
The first ingredient in a good career change game plan is space. Physical and mental space.
Changing careers is not a decision to be made rapidly. It requires time and careful consideration. If you’re like us and struggle to slow down, why not book in some annual leave or take weekend away as part of your game plan. By taking time out, you’ll be able to think through all of your options. You’ll reduce the risk of jumping at the first thing that comes your way.
Next, your game plan needs to address the risks involved. Risk mitigation might not thrill you, but the best plan will identify any big concerns. Then it will seek to reduce or eliminate the impact of these risks.
One of the most common risks associated with a career change is financial. Going from a career that you have established yourself in, to one where you are starting again can often mean a reduction in salary or security. Former Financial Advisor, Glen James of my millennial money podcast, has made three career changes in 15 years – from trade to finance and now to running his own media company. His game plan involved setting up a cash buffer before making any big change. That way his way of reducing the risk and stress that comes with a big change.
For you it might not be a financial risk. It could be the fear of the unknown. Or the need to relocate to a different town. Whatever the risk, by designing your game plan early will help you stay calm and stay ahead.
Emily Bowen and Shelley Johnson are HR professionals and host the my millennial career podcast. For more on making a career change, check out their episode ‘Quarter Life Career Crisis’.