CAREER TIPS - 5 Career Change Myths Debunked
Posted 19th May 2021 • Written by Caroline Castrillon on www.forbes.com • • • • •
Are you doing what you feel you should be doing or what you actually want to be doing? It’s a question one should ask often. The average employee spends 80,000 hours of their life at work. If you're in the wrong career, it could mean thousands of hours spent devoted to something you don't even really care about. Or worse, something you can’t stand. Read on to learn about the biggest career change myths that may be getting in your way.
You’re too old
It’s never too late to make a career change. In fact, many highly successful people changed careers after thirty. Look at Jeff Bezos. He had a lucrative job on Wall Street and tackled top roles at multiple financial firms before transitioning to e-commerce and launching Amazon at the age of 31.
You're selfish
You want work that is challenging and fulfilling. What’s wrong with that? Being grateful for what we have doesn’t mean that we should ignore things that aren’t working. If you’re going to be spending a third of your life at your job, it’s not greedy to want to dedicate that time to something enjoyable where you’re doing your best work. Are your skills and talents being used to their greatest potential in your current role?
You must start from scratch
A career change seems daunting because many people assume they have to start from square one. That is not always the case. Most of the time, you will have transferable skills that you can repackage in your resume and cover letter to better fit the position you're seeking. Most employers expect that you will learn on the job. Your attitude and passion are what will go a long way once you land the interview.
You must have it all planned out
Many of my clients assume they must have it all figured out from day one. Life is a journey, and the same goes for career change. Break your big goal down into small bite-sized pieces. Enroll in an online course or shadow someone in your field of interest. Connect with people at your target companies. Test your ideas in a way that you don’t need to leave your day job immediately. By taking small steps, you’ll find the clarity you’re looking for.
Your income will suffer
One of the most common assumptions is that a career change will involve a decrease in salary. While that may be true, depending on the profession, it’s not a foregone conclusion.
Career paths rarely follow a neat, straight line. Sometimes you need to go backward or sideways to reach your ultimate destination. You deserve to wake up every day excited to do what you love. Making a career change isn't easy—otherwise, everyone would be doing it. But it definitely is possible.
To read the original article click here