Looking to Make a Career Change?

Many of us get caught up in the daily routine of going to work without assessing their progress on the job or carefully managing their careers. Remember the times when it was a good thing to hold on to your job for the rest of your working life even if you were unsatisfied? Well, those days are long gone. Considering a new career direction has become an option that a lot of people are thinking about and exploring as we speak. Making a major career change is not as easy as it sounds, since we all have responsibilities and bills to pay. Worry no more; here are a number of helpful tips to help you move to the next level and to take your career in the direction of your interest.

But how can you be sure that you want to change careers rather than just get a new job? Any job has its ups and downs; we have all had days when we were not excited about our jobs. But if you find yourself constantly reading articles such as this one, asking friends in other careers questions about their jobs or even attending "career change" events, then most probably you are ready for change. Let us discuss the steps that you should follow in order to make a smooth transition into your new career.

Likes and Dislikes

Think about your previous jobs, what were the things that you liked and did not like about them? This will give you a clearer idea about what you might be naturally good at, which will eventually lead you to the career path that leverages your strengths. Of course, having the chance to do what you like most is not always the case, but if you have your clear career path in sight then you are more likely to get to it. The MBTI Personality Test will provide you with some insight into how you should approach the process of managing your career and hunting for jobs. It can also help you identify potential pitfalls and blind-spots that might hinder your professional progress.

Researching Careers

It is vital, at this stage, to research the careers that interest you the most. By doing so, your career path will gradually become evident to you. There are many career research methods. One excellent method is to turn to friends or mentors for advice, especially if they were working within the industry of your interest, they will definitely help you get established in your new career. Another important method is to do some actual research. Visit job websites and check out the job descriptions, employment opportunities and the required education and training. In other words, learn the language of the industry that you want to enter into and make your new career in.

Tweak Your CV

So you have identified your strengths and done your homework, now is the time to work on your CV. It is true that few companies will hire you as a Marketing Manager if your CV highlights your 10-year experience in Finance! You can't just present your old CV since it will only emphasize your old career path. Try to draw attention to the aspects of your past experience that matches the current needs of the new industry you want to enter into. A CV writing service might be just what you need at this point, and there are plenty out there to choose from.

Test-Drive Your New Career

Now you can test-drive your new career before you take the plunge and switch careers. It's really not easy to walk away from your old job and start over, but there are many other options that can help you gain the necessary experience in your new career field before you quit your current job. Find an internship program, volunteer, or find a part-time job within your new career industry. This will not only equip you with the required knowledge but will also provide you with the confidence and contacts that you will definitely need along the way.

Start the Job-Hunting Process

It has probably been a while since you have had to look for a job. It is time that you re-used your job hunting skills. It's OK if you are feeling a bit unsure or insecure; it is a natural part of the career change process. The Internet has simplified the way you search for jobs, and the way employers find employees. Akhtaboot.com has made the job searching process easier than ever; all you have to do is: complete your profile, upload your CV, and change your status to "looking for a job". That's about it! You can now apply to any job in the company that you really want to work for.

You must really understand that career transition is not easy, but if you know exactly what you want then follow a precise career plan, stay focused, and really believe in yourself and that your perfect job is out there and you will definitely find it. The whole process might require a lot of your time and effort, but ultimately, the reward of having a gratifying and inspiring career makes it all worth the hard work.

Mais Gousous is a full time Marketing Specialist / Career Consultant at Akhtaboot http://www.akhtaboot.com, the leading career network for the Middle East and GCC Region. Mais currently works with the different departments of Akhtaboot on various projects in Marketing, e-Marketing and career training.

Looking for a job or for a career?

As you enter the job market, (for the first time or after a while) you might find that there are a lot of buzzwords thrown around, including career and job terms. You might be looking for a career, but you aren't going to get into the career market! Decide if you are looking for a job or a career today and how to obtain the desired location.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary work , is a piece of work that you do because of your employment. A paid employment work also describes. Careera, according to the OED, is a "person course or progress through life." This article describes the work as the place where they are employed and career as the field in which you work.

Although you might have lost your job, you can still have a career. For example, if you are a technician who was fired, chances are that you will be able to find a new job in the field. Your job may change slightly: it could become a dental technician, x-ray technician or veterinary x-ray, rather than an x-ray technician of hospital, but it still remains an x-ray technician.

You can choose to change your job or your career. For example, you might still want to have your career as a computer technician, but you want to advance to a higher paying job and more prestigious. This would mean finding a new job and quit your current job. Conversely, you might feel that you want to change your career. Perhaps you feel that you no longer want to be a computer technician and instead want to become a journalist. Career-change are longer working because that changes often require training. You are looking for experience in a field with which you have no experience. Career-job changes or changes are impossible, and often bring much happiness.

When you are looking for a new job, it is important to consider what this means for your career. Some people choose not to have a career. Rather than having an overarching objective in life, or in the field in which they specialize, they would rather just move from job to job. Might expect tables for some years, then work as a receptionist, then working in retail.

However, you can choose to have a career. In order to have a career, you must have a plan. What are your interests? What would you like to be paid? Once you have planned your goals, you may need to take some steps to achieve them. Is all well and good to watch some episodes of Law & Order and then decide that you want to be a lawyer high paid, but the reality of the matter is that you will have to go to law school for years, which is a costly and time-consuming. Also, you might find that a court in real life isn't as exciting as a series of courtroom drama. So, if you have set a goal of career, talk with people in that career. Volunteer or intern in that environment so that you know what to expect in your future life.

You can also create a career out of a job. Maybe you work as an Assistant in an Office. If you want to become a sales representative, you may need to take some courses. You may need to put in a few years behind the reception. Ask your supervisor what you have opportunities for advancement and how you can get. Another way to create a career out of a job is to work in retail and accept promotions that you get to management. The management is often more work and more hours, but the higher pay and the possibility for promotion might appeal to you.

Some people choose to work a job while trying to create a career. Many students work summer job that is not related to their field. You might want to break the same material, or may not be able to find a job in their field, until they have completed their degree. If you take a job, consider how it affects your career. Are you taking your time there until can be divided into a separate market? If so, when and how you make your move to your career? Many people work at a job, while searching for a career; If you don't keep your final objectives in your mind, you might end up staying at work that does not particularly care for much longer than was originally planned.

There are careers that are often started later in life. Many careers in Ministry started after retiring from a career first. A career in politics likewise may begin after a career in a different field.

Career planning, as the entire planning, takes both thinking short and long term. Make your goals accordingly. Write your goals so that you can defer to them and see how are proceeding.

While you are looking for a job, always think about your career. You will be able to find your ideal job if you work with diligence and not afraid of a few rejections. Then go to find that perfect job, or simply find a job, while working on building career of your dreams.

If you are looking for a career or job, starting with the perfect resume. Find everything you need to know about resume writing from The Guide to Resumes [http://www.theguideto-resumes.com/writing_a_resume/what_employers_want_in_resumes].