Starting a new career journey can feel daunting, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can make it happen! On For Lifestyle Change, I’m sharing my own story of pivoting into a tech career, detailing the steps I took and the lessons I learned. From figuring out what I really wanted in a career and aligning it with my values and interests, to researching and evaluating my options, and crafting a solid career plan. Whether you’re looking to make a complete career overhaul or just explore new opportunities, these steps will help guide you on your path to an exciting and fulfilling career in tech.
1. Identify What You’re Looking for in a Career
1. What are your values? E.g. Autonomy, creativity, and impact
2. What are your career interests? E.g. Consumer relations, and consumer insights
Before starting a new career journey, it’s essential to identify what you’re truly looking for in your next role. Start by reflecting on your core values, as they play a significant role in determining how well your career journey will go. Do you crave autonomy in your work, the freedom to make decisions and manage your time? Or perhaps creativity is your driving force, a need to innovate and think outside the box. Maybe you want to make a significant impact, contributing to something greater than yourself.
Next, consider your career interests. Are you passionate about consumer relations, where you can build and maintain strong customer relationships? Or maybe consumer insights captivate you, involving data analysis and understanding consumer behaviour to drive business decisions.
By clearly defining your values and interests, you’ll create a strong foundation for identifying careers that genuinely resonate with who you are and what you want to achieve. This alignment is key to ensuring a fulfilling and successful career journey.
2. Align Your Values and Interests
Once you’ve identified your core values and career interests, the next step is to align them in your job search. For instance, if you value autonomy, look for a career that offers the freedom to make decisions and manage your own projects. If creativity is your thing, seek roles that allow you to innovate and bring new ideas to life. When you value impact, target positions where your work can significantly influence customer relationships and contribute to product improvements.
Alignment Example:
Seeking a career that offers the freedom (autonomy value) to create innovative solutions (creativity value) that have a strong impact (impact value) on customer relationships (consumer relations interest) and drive product improvements (consumer insights interest).
By aligning your values and interests, you’ll ensure your career choices resonate with what truly matters to you, leading to greater satisfaction and success in your professional journey.
3. Search for Careers that Align Your Values and Interests
Once you have a clear understanding of your values and interests, it’s time to explore career options that align with them.
To make this process easier, leverage search engines or AI tools to generate tailored career options. Use your answers from steps 1 and 2 as a prompt with these tools to get personalised suggestions. This way, you can uncover roles that resonate with your aspirations and strengths, making your career pivot smoother and more targeted.
For example, roles like Data Analyst, Business Analyst, and Product Owner, are known for offering a blend of autonomy, creativity, and impact, and could be a great fit.
By following these steps, you’ll identify the right tech career that aligns with your values and interests, setting you up for success on your new path.
4. Evaluate Career Options
Once you’ve gathered a list of potential careers, it’s time to evaluate which ones resonate most with you. Start by considering how each career option aligns with your values and interests. Are you drawn to the analytical nature of a Data Analyst, the strategic thinking required of a Business Analyst, or the leadership responsibilities of a Product Owner?
Next, consider practical factors like salary and how each career fits with your ideal lifestyle. Will the income meet your financial goals? Does the role offer the work-life balance you desire? It’s important to weigh these factors to ensure that your chosen career path aligns not only with your professional aspirations but also supports your overall well-being and life satisfaction.
By carefully evaluating your options, you can make an informed decision that sets you on a fulfilling career path.
5. Develop a Career Plan
With a clear career goal in mind, it’s time to develop a comprehensive career plan. Let’s say your goal is to pivot to a new career as a Business Analyst.
Goal: Pivot to a new career as a Business Analyst.
Actions:
Write a relevant CV: Tailor your CV to highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences.
Apply for relevant roles: Target job listings that match your new career path.
Upload CV to job boards: Increase your visibility to potential employers by uploading your CV to platforms like Reed, CV Library, and TotalJobs.
Learn relevant skills: Enrol in courses to gain essential business analysis skills.
Attain relevant certificates: Earn certifications to strengthen your qualifications.
Network: Connect with professionals in the field through networking events, LinkedIn, and industry forums.
Edit LinkedIn profile: Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your new career aspirations and skills.
Progress:
Passed tests: Track the exams and assessments you’ve completed.
Certificates attained: List any certifications you’ve earned.
Courses completed: Keep a record of the courses you’ve finished to showcase your continuous learning.
By setting clear goals, outlining specific actions, and tracking your progress, you’ll be well on your way to making a successful career pivot into the tech industry.
Transitioning into a tech career is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and transformation. By following these steps and staying true to your values and interests, you can successfully pivot and thrive in the tech industry. Remember, your career change is unique to you, and taking these strategic steps will set you on the right path.
Ready to start your own journey? Share your experiences, challenges, and successes in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to For Lifestyle Change for more insights and tips on making meaningful changes in your career and life.
Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other in our quests for fulfilling careers!