You’re probably more than familiar with cleaning your home. You know how to get rid of clutter — making room to update your home with a fresh style. The reward for your effort is a healthier, happier home. Making the effort to revamp your career works the same way. It’s a time to get rid of what no longer serves you and make room for change that leaves you more satisfied with your direction in life.
If you aren’t sure which direction to take, start by asking yourself these questions: What do you want from career growth, and what will it take to get there?
With that in mind, consider your options for making that change happen:
- Do you want to be an entrepreneur and start your own business?
- Do you want to change careers and start in a new field?
- Are you happy in your field but ready to reach the next level?
Leaping Into Entrepreneurship
Even if you haven’t considered some of these options, keep an open mind because the career you really want may be closer than you think. For example, many people think they need a large amount of capital to start their own business, but this isn’t always the case. One way to become an entrepreneur without a huge investment is to start an e-commerce business using the dropshipping model. The primary startup costs are in creating your website, which will include finding a company to host it.
With e-commerce, the startup costs and amount of time required are relatively low compared to a traditional business, but you still have to treat it like a real business. Being successful in e-commerce depends on setting yourself apart from the crowd. One way to do this is by choosing a unique product, something that isn’t easy to find on any other website. You also need to provide the absolute best in customer service and create a website that’s easy to navigate, including from mobile devices.
If you’re starting a brick-and-mortar or service-oriented business instead of an e-commerce startup, carefully consider your location. For example, with many tech companies relocating from the Bay Area, Sacramento offers a business-friendly locale for startups. If you’d prefer to rent before buying, Rentals.com lists over 600 homes available for rent in the area. Just filter homes based on price, amenities you need, number of bedrooms, and more.
Making a Career Change
If starting a business isn’t for you but you’re ready for a change, don’t assume that it’s too late to make that move. Some people fear that a career change means you’re starting with nothing, but you probably have more going for you than you realize. If you’ve been in the professional world for any length of time, you already have a network. Use your connections with colleagues, business owners, and other professionals to ask if they can help you branch out into your new field.
Besides connections, the most important requirement for getting into a new career is gaining knowledge and expertise. Resources for acquiring those skills are limitless: learn online, take continuing education courses, or attend conferences. For example, with an online MBA degree, you’ll learn key skills in marketing, financial management, and accounting.
Another way to make yourself a competitive candidate for any new job is to find learning opportunities within your current job. Taking on a variety of roles and continuing to learn can open up all sorts of future possibilities, and it shows employers that you’re capable of wearing many hats.
Landing a Promotion
One thing you should do before applying for a new job, including a promotion at your current company, is to fine-tune your resume. This is where you can highlight the extra training and learning opportunities you’ve taken to show that you’re ready for the new position. When you’re going for a promotion, it’s also good to emphasize leadership roles or times you have stepped up as a leader. If you have your eye on a promotion but aren’t sure if you’re ready yet, set milestones with your boss. This way you have goals that you’re actively working toward, and your boss will appreciate you taking the initiative.
Taking the next step in your career, whatever that may be inevitably requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Change can be scary, but remember that it’s necessary for growth. Restarting your career is all about making room for new growth and opportunities in order to see your career flourish.
Photo credit: Pixabay
