Just because you don’t want a total career change doesn’t mean you have to toil away in misery without getting closer to what is a good fit for you. Your Ignite Your Potential career coaches have curated three options. They aren’t that big of a career change but can provide an up level for your career. Make that career change!
1. Keep Your Career, Change Your Industry
A smart strategy when you want to change careers is to start by pivoting either your role (what you do) or your industry (the field you work in,) rather than trying to do both at the same time. For example, if you hate your job in pharmaceutical sales, could you put your selling skills to work in a completely different field. Yes, it takes effort to network your way into a new industry. It requires convincing hiring managers you’re worth the opportunity—but it is easier than starting from scratch.
2. Make a Move Within Your Company
If you work for a large company, look around. Are there other roles that seem more appealing than the one you are currently in? If so, start talking to these people. Learn the ins and outs of their jobs, understand the skills required to do their work, and ask for advice on breaking into their world. Ask to lend a hand on upcoming projects. This may not work everywhere, but if you show that you are interested in a different type of work and start building the transferable skills required, your employer may be willing to help you make the transition.
3. Negotiate Instead of a Career Change
If you are unhappy there may be a chance that you can figure out how to tweak a few things about your responsibilities, the projects you work on, the people you work with the most, etc. If you can figure out what you need in a role to really thrive, which is something we help clients with all the time, then there is a chance you can pitch these changes to your boss or influence these changes over time on your own. Sometimes it’s possible to make the changes you need within the role you’re currently in.
4. Reconsider These Options
OK, this isn’t an alternative to changing careers, but you do owe it to yourself to revisit this topic. Make sure your “I really can’t change careers” stance is still valid. Maybe the answer will stay the same. But what if you find that one day, this changes to a maybe. And when that day comes, you can start considering the options above. Maybe you’ll even consider talking to an Ignite Your Potential coach to help make your dream a reality.
Consider giving career coaching a try, and we will talk you through other options instead of the career change. We have a hunch you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Check out our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers who offer complimentary 25-minute phone sessions to help you become exceptional in your field!
We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.