How to Change Your Career Path

    LONDON, ENGLAND, October 28, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Changing career may seem like a challenging, and sometimes daunting prospect. But for those who go through with it, the move can be an extremely rewarding and a great learning experience.

When contemplating a change to your career path it's important that you thoroughly research your new chosen career field before taking the first steps.

Here are our top 10 tips for those considering a change of career:

- Assess the state of the industry/sector you wish to move into and the opportunities it offers to job seekers with little or no comparable experience.
- Carry out a detailed self-assessment and analysis of your skills, accomplishments and the strengths which you can bring to a new role.
- Set up meetings with professionals in your new area to learn as much as you can about how it works.
- Look at the external qualifications available which will allow you to make a smoother transition.
- Study job descriptions and attend career fairs you can assess what areas you need work upon to meet new candidate criteria.
- Network both online and in person to uncover opportunities and routes of entry into your field.
- Investigate mentoring, internships and volunteering opportunities within companies and institutions in your chosen new field.
- Ask friends, family and colleagues to put you in touch with others who've made a change to their career path to learn more from their personal experiences.
- Build your CV in such a way that your transferable skills are highlighted.
- Have confidence in you abilities. This is probably the most important under-lying ingredient for anyone considering a career change.

What are the potential downsides?

Changing career demands a considerable level of commitment and carries with it certain risks which you should aware of:

- Lower salary - you may suffer financially if you need to study or join an organisation as an intern or volunteer.
- Lower designation - you may not immediately (or ever) achieve the same status you previously held.
- Lose contact with friends and colleagues - a new situation may take you out of contact with old friends and workmates.
- Slower growth rate - the organisation/sector you join may not offer progression at a similar pace to your previous role.
- Need to demonstrate your worth - you may be starting from scratch and will need to gain the trust and respect of new colleagues and managers, showing the value-add you can offer an entire organisation.

For more advice on securing your next job, please get in touch with your Michael Page Ireland consultant.

Website: http://www.michaelpage.ie

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