by Paul Eze

For the new career there may be new skills required to be learnt and new knowledge acquired. It will be in your interest to find what is needed to succeed in your proposed new career.

Changing from one career to another in Nigeria is made much difficult by the nature of our job industry and so calls for careful analysis. You want to be sure you are making the right moves.

If you are thinking of changing your career these tips may be of some help.

Be Objective with What You Want

To want to change careers there must be a reason or reasons. Are you changing because your current career seems to be heading nowhere or because you found a new love you want to pursue. Reasons and motives for doing something as impactful as changing careers should be clear so you don’t make decisions on flimsy foundations.

If you want a career change because of lack of job satisfaction you may first check to see if the poor work satisfaction or work condition is peculiar to only your job (in which case you might be better off looking for a better job elsewhere) or akin to the career path you are in.

Access Your Chances

For the new career there may be new skills required to be learnt and new knowledge acquired. It will be in your interest to find what is needed to succeed in your proposed new career.

The rules of your current career may not be valid or be sufficient for the new direction you want to go.  Be sure the things needed to succeed in your new career are within your reach.

Narrow Your Targets

While making the career switch you do not need to cast your net just anywhere you sniff opportunity. At this stage precision and targeted search will serve you better. Identify and reduce your target areas of focus to a manageable number.

Start Networking, Connecting Way Before You Change

It may be difficult to start making connections when you need them. Start meeting the right people in your new career environment even before you need to ask them for tips or referral on openings. Get to know people who can help you better understanding the workings, challenges of your intended new career. Establish as much professional relationships as possible and learn all you can about how things work. Your journey to the new playground will be easier that way.

Moving Down The Ladder

Most people think all career changes are upward climbs on the career ladder. Somebody can change careers and take on jobs with lower prestige than the previous for several reasons. It could be job satisfaction, less stress and interest in the new position. Analyse opportunities that come your way in the new career path and match them against the parameters of what you want.

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Ngcareers is Nigeria’s fastest growing career site with over 200,000 users and career individuals who use it to search and discover new career opportunities based on their interests. Follow @Ngcareers on Twitte.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.