Getting Ready For A New Career

Saturday, March 1, 2008

% 4: aes ra er 0 An mq ew Oy Su eS ge Sb v . Getting Ready For A New reer (NAPSA)—If you’re ready for a career change, you’re not alone. In a recent survey of over 5,700 workers, more than one-third said they were interested in trying out a newcareerpath. Whether you’re motivated by the desire for better pay and benefits, career advancement opportunities or a more fulfilling work experience, making a change can be scary. The good news is now may be an opportune time to get your foot in the door as companies struggle to attract top talent. Forty-four percent of over 3,000 employers surveyed by reerBuilder.com said they have open positions for which they can’t find skilled labor. Seventy-eight percent said they are willing to recruit workers who don’t have specific experience in their industry and provide the training or certification needed for new hires. If you’re frustrated, unchallenged or simply looking for something new,consider thesetips: * Gain a better understanding of your interests and strengths. Online sites such as www.careerpath.com provide free assessment tests that match abilities, personal values and interests to competencies that are necessary for certain fields of work. Do your homework. Learn all you can about the industry you want to join. Attend an industry trade show, order subscriptions to industry publications, and read online newsletters and blogs. * Conduct informational interviews. Reach out to individuals in the industry to get informa- os Had enough? It may be time to find a more fulfilling job and chart a path to achieve your career goals. tion on job requirements, daily responsibilities and overall work experience. Industry networking events can makeit easier to identify and approach these individuals. Identify your transferable skills. Evaluate your professional background, personal life and volunteer experiences and make a list of general skills you have that are transferable andthe skills you need to be successful in your new career. Often, skills can be applied in several different ways depending on yourjob goal. Plot out your path. The path to a new career doesn’t have to be a straight one. Start by sketching out a timeline of steps you will need to take in order to qualify for your desired job. This may include continued education, experience with jobs that are stepping stones to the new industry or even assembling a portfolio of relevant projects. Set specific milestones to make sure you stay on track. For more information, visit www.careerpath.com.

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