What options are available to you?

There are many choices to be made when you are facing redundancy or restructuring.  Some may be financial or emotional, but there are also some practical options you can consider where your career is concerned. You could even view your position as a chance to take stock and consider some wider choices. 

Your options may include:

  1. Staying  with the same job and same industry
  2. Staying with the same job but a different industry
  3. Considering a completely different job/ career
  4. Going back to college to re-train or gain further qualifications.

 

Prioritising choices tips

Do a thorough skills audit
You may find that you can bring out a lot of already relevant experience and tailor your CV to suit, and re-training may not be necessary.

In order to change career, will you need to gain any formal qualifications?
Some careers insist on some kind of authentication that you are qualified to do a particular role.  Every profession will have a number of websites where you can start to explore what you will need to do to become qualified or experienced

How will you support yourself and any dependants?
It is crucial to consider exactly what you are getting into if you decide to change career.  For example, if you have to take a second job to see you through a period of re-training, will your salary return to a ‘normal’ level in your new profession, or will it take some time to build up to your current salary because you still lack experience? 

Is any government funding available?
Some professions such as in the teaching and health professions can attract government funding for the length of your studies.  To re-train in teaching may take as little as a year, providing you have the right entry qualifications. 

How long will re-training take?
Re-training could take anywhere between 6 weeks if you are able to retrain within a new company and months or years is you need to undertake higher education or professional qualifications.  If you are undecided about whether or not to change direction, then you could consider staying in your current field but gaining further qualifications.  Often, a challenge can provide just the right stimulation to re-energise you.

Will you need to build up your experience? 
If so, you may have to start your career in a new area at a lower level.

Can you ‘test the water’ by doing some voluntary or temporary work?
Find out how easy it is to try-before-you-buy.  If you can temp first, you may gain a good picture very quickly about your new career.  You may find out things which you hadn’t considered, such as the industry culture, conditions and possible drawbacks before you take the plunge. 

Talk to other people.
You may find that networking with other people very informative when researching new careers.  You could talk to your family and friends for a more personal view, or for a more professional opinion, others who have done the job or even recruitment consultants.  Do remember thought that it is your decision at the end of the day, so don’t make decisions just to please other people.  Build networks to help you make informed decisions.

Remember to consider…

  1. Your practical situation
  2. What you want to do
  3. What life plans you have
  4. What long term plans do you have
  5. What skills gaps will you need to address to change jobs
  6. How long it will take to “plug the gaps” in your skill base

 Time to reflect: If you’re faced with uncertainty in your life, have you prepared your “Action Plan”? If you need help let me know denise@enablingtransitions.co.uk