The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the work world in a variety of ways. With many people getting furloughed or outright fired as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, faith in the pre-existing job market has been shaken in a few different areas of business. At the same time, employees who were making more money on employment and who have realized that they are better off making more money in order to lead the life they want have been holding out for jobs with higher wages. All of this has combined to create a perfect storm of factors contributing to a rise in more job seekers in 2021.
Of course, if you’re thinking of making a career change, it can’t just happen overnight. You need to have a game plan if you’re going to make a transition, particularly since recruiters and human resources departments are swamped at the moment with so many people looking for new jobs. If you want to make the most of your career switch, here are a few tips and best practices to keep in mind.
Test the waters with a side hustle.
Sometimes, it can be a little scary to make a big change. Especially if your career offers stability and decent benefits, you may want to first test the waters by branching out with a side hustle before leaping full force into a career change like opening a small business. Of course, over time you may be able to scale up your company as a business owner, ultimately being able to make a full-fledged career switch and focus on your new entrepreneurial pursuits full-time.
As your new business grows, you may even attract competitors and other entrepreneurs interested in purchasing your company before you. Make sure to read up on how to sell your business before you go through with an acquisition, but it could definitely be a great path to financial freedom and the career you want. As a business owner, finding prospective buyers for your small business isn’t always what you’re looking to accomplish, but if you do your due diligence and find a new owner or fellow entrepreneur, the right buyer can give you an exit strategy and a strong valuation.
Consider practicality when seeking a change.
Unless you have the tenacity and passion to really follow an unusual dream, like becoming a tightrope walker professionally, it’s important to consider what makes the most sense for you when making a switch. Some careers are more in-demand or pay better than others. For example, nurses, teachers, first responders, mechanics, electricians, and plumbers are almost always in demand, and can have a sizeable paycheck to boot. Thinking back on the pandemic, you can reflect on the type of business that had steady employment and the type that didn’t. Looking into practical nursing career opportunities or electrical work may require a different kind of degree, so it’s a good idea to research whether your bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree gives you the right experience or diploma to become a registered nurse or electrician. The best way to do this is to research what kinds of qualifications are required in order to apply for these jobs in the first place, so you can see if you have the experience to make it into the occupation you’d like.
Don’t act impulsively.
If you’re in a workplace where your voice and contributions don’t seem valued, it can be tempting to act impulsively and start your own business and apply to residential care facilities and accept an offer at the first clinic that will take you. However, as you can see from the above information, sometimes changing occupations takes time. If you need to go back and get a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree before you make a career shift, you may need your current job in order to keep your cash flow stable while you pursue your bachelor’s degree or associate’s. That being said, once you have your diploma or have completed any relevant licensing programs, such as the National Council Licensure Examination, you can move on to greener pastures.
