Are you tapping into all the resources you have available to you in your career change journey? It takes a group of people, resources, colleagues, customers, supporters, mentors and teachers to make a viable business. So who do you know, right now that can help you by providing information and partnerships.

One of the best ways to find job openings is through networking. Statistics prove that the majority of positions and the best jobs are never advertised. Estimates are upwards of 85% are filled by word of mouth and connections.

Who are your connections? Every person you know could be your connection and I can guaranty you know a lot of people! The average person knows or is in contact with at least 250 other people. If those 250 others know another 250 people, that immediately gives you approximately 62,500 contacts! This means that the probability for you being able to gain a connection to the right person, at the right time is very good. Provided you do your part. Your part is to go out and speak with these people, find out what they need and let them know what you need. Through the creation of these relationships it is easy to connect to new business links.

In order to tap into this vast resource, put together a list of people you know. Just grab pen and paper and start writing your list of everyone who comes to mind. Let the names flow, you can look up contact information later. Don’t rule out anyone because you think they don’t have information about an open position. Even grandma knows a lot of people and her neighbor’s cousin may be just the person you need to meet. This gives you an idea of how far reaching networking quickly becomes.

Some important things to remember when networking are to first, know what you want. By this point you should a clear understanding of present skills, the kind of environment which is best and what type of work is truly right.

Speak up constantly to everyone you meet so you don’t become “out of sight, out of mind.” Leverage every possibility to tell people what you are looking for, you just never know what connection will come your way.

It is important that you not expect the people in your network to find and secure a position for you. Your network is merely providing you with information of available positions. It is up to you to arrange meetings with the appropriate people within the organization, interview, negotiate and secure the position. The key point here is that you have better information about what is required for the position and how you will be a good fit.

Don’t overlook social networks online. Post your resume and set up your pages with your job search in mind.

Your network is your connection with the world. Stretch your thinking and don’t be afraid to ask questions, soon you be receiving amazing answers!

Don’t be mistaken, making any career change is a big deal. The reason I work with people going through this process is because I appreciate how encompassing a career is, as it affects all aspects of your life. When you are in a career that is suited to you and you are happy with your work, you are a better parent, partner, friend, community member and child. You will be more productive at home because your energies will not be wiped out suffering through the workday.

However, if you do not enjoy your work and find it draining, the last thing you need to do is use your valuable energies in needless ways. I’ve put together a list of a few things things to take seriously when making that career transition, so you will be able to move forward successfully.

#1 – Making Hasty Decisions
Sometimes, especially on a bad day, the temptation to just quit and make a quick change is there. This is the worst step you could take. Making a transition of such magnitude without a plan, is a sure way to set yourself up for failure. Try writing down all the things you hate about your current job and look at your list for ways which you may be able to turn the situation around, or at the very least, mitigate the issues to make it more tolerable. Then begin to create a career change plan that will allow you to transition with less stress and worry.

#2 – Ignoring Finances
This ties in closely with making hasty decisions. Regardless of your reasons for pursuing another career, there is a reality which cannot be ignored: bills must be paid. Get very clear about where you stand right now with all your finances. Be honest about spending and start making your plan for savings. If you need to rely on lesser income while getting your dream job into place, understanding exactly how much you need to keep your household functioning will ease your stress and allow you to make intelligent decisions.

#3 – Failing to Make Decisions
Chances are, you were afforded many different opportunities and had to make choices during your life, that have lead you to where you are now. As you stand in the position of looking toward your future, you may find that you will become overwhelmed with all the ideas and possibilities which will open. When we become overwhelmed, the typical reaction is to shut down. My first advice to clients is to capture all this information and their ideas on paper. All major decisions should be looked at on paper. Running ideas through your head, without being able to clearly analyze them objectively, will make everything seem larger and more complex. The reason for this is that when we keep our thoughts in our head, we have a tendency to think the same thoughts over and over, making it appear that there is more there than there really is. After capturing your choices on paper, make note of whether each choice will move you in the direction of your dream position, will it start down a new path, or will it hold you back. You may now decide which way to proceed that will be best for your situation.

#4 – Giving Up Too Soon
Developing a new career course takes time, energy and perseverance. At times, it will be painful to go through the steps and, after the initial excitement of starting out begins to fade, it’s easy to find excuses for not continuing. It has taken your lifetime to be at your present level of experience, education and development. Allow yourself the time and space necessary to determine your course of action and align all the pieces to get there.

With a clear understanding of where you are, solid knowledge of your resources and a strong desire to continue, your career transition will truly be a life transformation.

As clients are going through career change, many ideas and opportunities present themselves.   Having choices, without solid information, can make decision making difficult.  Here are some suggestion to help make the process easier.  There are several ways to research a career:

-   Start by speaking with people who are presently working doing the type of job you desire. If you wish to become an electrician, speak with an electrician.  If you want to become a store manager, seek out someone who is successful in this line of work.  People are usually very willing to share their experiences – don’t be afraid to ask them to share!  Who knows, this might be the right connection to get you started in your new career!

-   Go to a library or bookstore and read books on the subject. Look at magazine racks in the bookstores and find those that are specific to the field of work you are researching.

-   Go online and contact associations which are relevant.

-   Seek information from universities or schools which provide training for your choice career

-   Profiler.com – uses survey questions to match you to a career choice.  There is a fee, but it may give you more insights and ideas.

-   Vocationvacations.com – for a fee, you can arrange to spend a few days with someone who is doing the work you would like to do.  Want to become an actor or a cattle rancher?  This may be a great option for you.

-   Volunteer – you can learn a lot about different positions, make good connections and give back all at the same time

- Temporary Assignment - Utilizing a Temp Agency may give you the experience and inside information you need about a particular sector

-   Find a mentor. Someone who is successful in your newly chosen career who will guide you and give you practical information about working in that specific field.

Sometimes, clients think that a specific career is right for them, until they get further information about it, and then discover it may not be all it’s cracked up to be.  Other times, after getting some first hand information, a career that they had not considered seriously, takes on a different appeal.  Gaining as much information as possible, will help you to be sure of the best options for your situation.

As with any big decision, it is important for you to take the time to gain knowledge and make educated choices.  This will lead to a much happier career and one that grows with you.

How big is the role you play in your own success? As you set your goals and make your plans to achieve them, holding yourself to be resolute of character means you have boldness and firmness of purpose. How wonderful to move forward boldly! Also, how necessary.

Necessary? Yes. Keep in mind, that once a plan is put into place and you start making changes, the next thing you know everything seems to be going wrong. I’m sure it has happened to you. You’ve started to happily progress, then the car suddenly breaks and needs repairs, an unexpected bill arrives, you come down with the flu, your computer crashes, you can’t find an important paper, dinner burnt and the dog vomited on the carpet! Feeling stuck in the mire, you begin to think that the universe is conspiring against you.

Truth be told, however, the universe is conspiring with you, but your resolve to succeed is being tested. When you prove that you truly hold a strong desire to succeed, things will start to fall into place. Those who choose to succeed work through the problems that arise, side step what is unnecessary, and boldly continue forward on their way.

As you set your goals, it helps to brainstorm a little about the things that might crop up. For instance, I am making the goal to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. What might happen to sabotage my goal plan? Probably a thousand things, but a few might be: a meeting that is scheduled early, a comfortable bed, an ache or pain, a poor night’s sleep, etc. As I look at this list, I realize that the majority of them are within me and relate to my mindset. The meeting, is something that I may, or may not have control over. What I do have control over is how I can work around this appointment. Keeping in mind that I am always in the driver’s seat, I can hold onto my resolution to meet my new goal easier, recognizing the types of events I will have to work around.

Are you determined to succeed? Then hold firm to your purpose no matter what is thrown in your path! In time, you will see fruits of your labor and feel satisfaction of your triumphs – self back-patting is always acceptable!

For more information on how make a career change and enjoy more of your life, please email us at: info@clearpathway.com