It is not uncommon to hear of people who already have or are thinking about pursuing a second career. According to studies, this is becoming more common among the younger job seekers.

A top recruitment agency in Dubai has shared the following steps and factors that you may need to consider if you are thinking about changing your career.

1. THINK ABOUT YOUR PREFERENCES

Coming up with ideas for a second career from scratch can sometimes intimidate people. What should you pursue? If you are stumped, consider your personality as well as your likes and dislikes.

This is the ideal opportunity to exercise introspection. Take the time to think about your skills and what you enjoy doing. Do you like talking to people or traveling? On the flip side, what tasks do you despise doing? Perhaps it’s writing long reports or doing mathematical calculations.

Thinking about your strengths and weaknesses, what you like and don’t like can give you ideas on jobs you can take for your potential second career.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH

The first step is to brainstorm ideas. Now you need to narrow your options down and find information that that will turn those ideas into more concrete plans. For this, you can turn to the Internet for guidance.

Search for information about the job market, trends and the demand for that particular job for the next several years. Look for careers where the demand is growing or consistent. This way, you won’t have to worry about job security a few years down the line.

Read stories or talk to people who work in the field. Find out what the industry is like, ask what issues they encounter and if they are satisfied with the job that they are doing. Knowing more about the job and the industry can give you a better idea on whether it is a career that you will enjoy doing or pursuing for years to come.

At this stage, you can also try looking at companies, groups and organizations that accept volunteers or offer training opportunities. This will help you know what you need to do to transition to your prospective career and determine how difficult it is to go through the transition phase.

3. SIGN UP FOR TRAINING

After doing the research, you may have realized that you lack skills that you need for your second career. For instance, perhaps you need to know more about creating strong presentations.

It is also possible that you already completed training some years back but need to get your information or techniques updated. Whatever the case may be, you will need to hit the books and start studying.

Training comes in different forms, depending on your field and the skill you are trying to learn. In some cases, you may need to go back to school and get a degree, like in the case of medicine or a career involving the hard sciences. With some careers, you may need to attend several seminars or workshops, such as in the case of SEO.

If you lack the experience needed in the industry, you can still get your foot in the door by opting for a master’s degree or pursuing higher qualifications. Some companies may even reimburse the fees involved for attending school, seminar or workshop. However, you will need to consider the fine print.

Some companies will require you to stay with them for a few years in exchange for paying for your education.

4. BROADEN YOUR CONNECTIONS

Your network can help you get the job that you want. Volunteering and opting of internships can work. If you know someone who works in the industry you want to get into, now is the time to re-establish your connections. Let the person know that you are interested in pursuing a different career.

Your connections can give you tips on how to break into the industry. Perhaps they can even provide you with a recommendation that you can use during your application.

Making any major change in your life can provide an immense challenge. By following these steps, you can make the transition to your new career a less stressful experience.

AUTHOR BIO

Payal Bhatia

A passionate recruiter with more than 12 years in the executive search industry, Payal Bhatia is an international headhunter and business partner for RM & Associates in the MENA region specializing in the FMCG, retail, telecom and engineering sectors.

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