5 Simple Tips for Evolving During a Career Change

5 Simple Tips for Evolving During a Career Change5 Simple Tips for Evolving During a Career Change There are many reasons to make a career change, for exampleWhile the reason will be different for every person, theres one thing that stays the same the need to evolve during this transition. This is the perfect time to hone your skills and prepare for the new career ahead of you. Youre not merely transferring to a slightly better employment situation, but pushing yourself forward in a professional trajectory that requires you to up-level from where you are now. Use these five simple tips to make koranvers youre evolving during your career change, allowing you to land your next big gig, regardless of where you came from before this. Before you take a massive leap into a new career, take time to make an actionable plan. But dont outline your five- or ten-year plan- while this is important, right now, you want to be thinking more immediate. Consider where you want to be this year, and what small, yet actionable steps you can take to achieve that objective.For example, if want to make the move from salesperson to marketing specialist, there are a few actions you might take, includingNotice how each of these actions are specific and paired with a time limit. Brush up on what SMART goals are (hint time-bound is one important element) so you can make sure youre being as actionable as possible.2. Continue Learning and Training Once you know what you want to do, find out which credentials are either necessary or beneficial for your career evolution. While some positions might require credentials, others may consider certain certifications as a Nice to Have - which means youll get a leg up if you have it. Continuing your training and education is paramount, especially in the tech industry. In fact, more than 55 percent of developers seek out training to meet current or upcoming needs or to advance their careers, according to the 2017 Develope r Learning Survey . In this case, for example with a software engineer, it may be required that you have certain credentials thanks to the fast-evolving world of technology. In other cases, like the example of moving from sales to marketing, a credential you likely dont need is a Google Analytics Certification . However, it will look great on your resume and is free to take. Not to mention, knowing how to navigate Google Analytics is a skill most marketers need to have to be successful, whether you learn on the job or come into a new position with the knowledge already.In 2018, 56.7 million Americans did some type of Freelance work, according to the Freelancing in America Report . Theres a reason freelancing is increasingly popular in the current workforce it allows for flexible learning and makes it easier to advance your career. Freelance gigs allow you to gain valuable experience that will bolster your chances of getting the job you want.It also allows you to dip your toes into a new career, without leaving your full-time job. If you feel passionate about a new career path, arent ready to take the leap, freelance and contract-based projects will let you try it on for size. Its better to take on one project and realize you arent cut out for the work than to accept a full-time position.Networking within your desired industry will give you valuable insights during your career transition. When you meet people within your desired field, you can learn about what you need to do be successful and what you need to avoid. You may even land an interview. In certain careers, this network can also be the reason you get a job. HR Veteran and Forbes contributor Steve Cadigan explains Your network is part of your value proposition. Organizations today are increasingly looking for candidates who bring a strong network to work with them. Consider this an extension of your resume if you work in HR (knowing great people to hire), business development (knowing great pe ople to partner with) or sales (knowing great people who want to buy.5. Develop Your Personal Brand Online Your personal brand is your outward appearance to the professional world. We live in a digital world, so your brand extends far past the clothes you wear or the job history on your resume. As you consider building your personal brand online, remember to update your profiles onIf youre actively applying for jobs , do an audit of your online presence and get rid of anything thats non-professional because hiring managers will search for you. According to SHRM , 43 percent of organizations use social media and online presence to screen applicants, and 36 percent have disqualified candidates based on public information found. Dont let one schwimmbad photo be the reason you dont land your next big gig.With your profiles cleaned up, consider what your personal brand is and isnt. If youre not sure where to start, take this Glassdoor Quiz to find out what your personal brand is. T hen, let that shine through your LinkedIn headline, Twitter bio, website about page, etc.Continue Evolving During Your Career Change Transitioning in your career can be challenging, but its not impossible. Especially if you focus on these five ways to evolve and grow during this time. Make time to learn, get clear on what action steps you need to take, make time for networking and dont forget that your brand extends to the online world too- find out what that brand is and let it shine through so recruiters and hiring managers see the very best version of you someone whos willing to do what it takes to make a change.