Starting a new career can be daunting, but it is also the beginning of an exciting new journey. Turning your passion into profit will help you live a more fulfilled and happy life. Before you begin, you’ll need to figure out what you’re looking for in a career. Identifying your skills and passions will help you decide which is the best path for you and help you make the transition with confidence.
Maybe you’re unhappy in your current career, or you’re ready to take the next step into something more challenging. Regardless of why you want to change careers, this guide will walk you through the first steps. Set yourself up for success by focusing on your passion and transitioning into a more fulfilling career.
Identify your strengths and passions
Start by making a list of what you love to do. It doesn’t need to be work-related, but making a list will help you narrow down the common threads. It can include interests, hobbies, and what you do for entertainment.
Next, jot down your strengths and what it is that you do best. Think about comments others have made complimenting your skills in certain areas. Also, consider areas where you feel you excel and what tasks come easily to you. Include both hard and soft skills in this section. If you have any education or know how to use specific programs or tools, write them down.
Use these details to work out what you already have that you can use in your new career. On top of that, you can paint a picture of which career path is ideal for you.
Employee or Independent Contractor?
Secondly, you’ll need to decide which type of role you would like to take in your new career. Let’s use a handyman as an example career and talk about how it would work as an employee and an independent contractor.
1. Startup costs
As an employee, you would have no startup costs involved with starting your career besides clothing and commuting costs. As an independent contractor, you would need to cover expenses such as building rental, equipment, and, potentially, company vehicles.
2. Insurance
As an employee, the employer will likely include any insurance that you will need, so you won’t need to pay anything. As an independent contractor, you would need to make sure you have the proper insurance. As a handyman, you would need comprehensive handyman insurance. This will ensure that you are covered in the event that somebody makes a claim against you, which can result in legal action. Instances where you will be covered financially include if someone has injured themselves or there has been property damage. Even if it wasn’t your fault, you could still be held liable for these issues, so it is vital that you make sure that this is a priority.
3. Flexibility
For the employee, there is limited flexibility in terms of working times. Your boss would dictate your schedule and hours. As an independent contractor, you schedule your work yourself, so you can work as much or little as you want.
Take action
Once you’ve chosen your ideal path, it’s time to take action. Update your resume to ensure it highlights your most relevant skills to the profession. Consider upgrading your education but taking online courses or learning new, appropriate software. Go to workshops or weekend classes that will provide you with useful information that you can use in your career.
Once you feel confident, start reaching out to your network and letting everyone know what you’re looking for. Often there is an opportunity where you least expect it, and you may already know someone who has a connection in the field. Whether you’re starting your own business, or looking for employment, building a network is key to success in your career.