Over a year ago, a pandemic caused massive damage to our global economy, but there finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. When you look closely at the job market, you’ll see that new chances appear on the horizon. Is it the right time for you to seize new opportunities? Time to get you going.
Last year had an impact on millions of people and businesses from all around the world, as millions were forced to let go, were cut on their hours or were had no choice but to opt for furlough. Chances are, you also became a victim of a job market that got completely turned upside down. Even if your industry has not been impacted by the spread of COVID-19, it could be that the current situation created a natural opportunity for you to finally make that career change you’ve been thinking about for a while now. No matter where you currently stand, the market is surely but slowly restoring, allowing you to move forward. The hardest part is actually taking that step, so let’s help you get started.
Evaluate yourself
It may sound like stating the obvious, but the first step is to analyze your current situation. Where do you stand, where do you want to go and how to get there? You can start by visualizing who you are by making a list of tasks you really enjoy doing. Expand your list by figuring out what skills you currently possess and decide on the ones you want to build on. If you want to get know where you currently stand, you can use Josie as a useful tool to gain refreshing insights on your current career and profile. To get a deeper understanding of what makes you tick, also write down some of the bigger accomplishments in your life that you’re really proud of. Last but not least, it’s important to stay true to yourself by defining your own core values, like the desire to work for a mission-driven company, in an inclusive culture or for an organization that prioritizes work-life balance. Once you got a clear picture of who you are, it’s time to hit the market.
Navigate the market
Your next step when considering a career change is to narrow down your options. The first tip is to never underestimate yourself: some opportunities might seem out of reach at first glance, but you might find out you are in fact qualified acter closer inspection. Then it’s time to make the first selection of about ten to twenty vacancies, which you can analyze in-depth afterward to see if it still seems like the right fit. Try putting your focus on qualifiers such as your career goals, transferable skills, available opportunity and possible entry barriers. The final step is to start working on the bridge between your desired role and the skills you need to acquire for that job, before you can finally start applying for the function you so carefully selected. Always remember not to get your hopes up if you don’t land that dream job right away, because even in this day and age, your next move is always right around the corner.