If you are looking for career changes this year, you are by no means alone. At the beginning of a new year, people are motivated to set new resolutions and achieve new goals.
Something fresh and exciting, as is the opportunity to knuckle down and begin moving forward in your professional life, is on the horizon. Job losses, redundancies, and layoffs have taken their toll on many people over the past couple of years, and many are in desperate need of a fresh start.
Throughout this article, we will look at some steps you can take while looking for career changes ahead.
Table of Contents
Expand Your Horizons For Career Change Ideas
Many of us have gone through college, university, or training programs and have found ourselves entrenched in a career. We believe that because we have received training in a particular subject, we are obligated to remain in that field—but this could not be further from the reality.
Begin to think a little more creatively and critically. It is possible that the ideal job is not the one for which you originally planned or trained. You may be in a midlife career change crisis.
Why not take a look at an interest inventory to see what it suggests? It may give you some unexpected ideas.
Update Your Resume Looking For Career Options
The most logical place to begin with any new job is with your resume, especially if you have been in your current position for a long time. Update any promotions, new knowledge, or certifications you have earned.
If you are considering a career move, ensure your resume is tailored to the latest industry. Another thing to consider is whether the people you named as references are still appropriate for the position.
Here are a few pointers for you:
- Using keywords from job descriptions as a guide
- Proofread your resume for spelling, grammatical, and typing mistakes. If you are unsure, have someone else read it over for you.
- Include any data or statistics to support any claims you make.
Remember to take a look at your public social media profiles and update your LinkedIn profile as well. LinkedIn is a valuable resource for connecting with possible employers and networking with others in the business.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
With more than 660 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform on the web. It is a great way to find job opportunities and network with professionals in your field.
Here are some tips for updating your LinkedIn profile if you’re looking for a career change this year.
Update Your Profile Picture and Headline
Your profile picture and headline are often the first things someone sees when they land on your profile, so it’s essential to ensure they accurately reflect who you are and what you do. Choose a professional-looking headshot clearly showing your face; avoid selfies or group shots with friends.
And be sure to include an up-to-date headline that reflects what you do or want to do professionally—for example, “Experienced Business Analyst Seeking New Opportunities” or “UX Designer Looking To Relocate To The West Coast”.
Fill Out Your Summary Section
The summary section lets you highlight your skills and experience in your own words—so use it! Include information about yourself that will make you stand out from other candidates.
For example, please include any awards or honors you have received, soft skills like communication or problem-solving relevant to the role you are applying for, and volunteer experience or extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership skills.
Writing down these achievements can also help give you confidence when approaching potential employers about job opportunities.
Optimize Your Skills Section
Finally, don’t forget to optimize your skills section! This is where potential employers can see what specific skillsets and experiences you bring to the table—so make sure all of your relevant skills (and only those relevant skills!) are listed here.
You can also add endorsements from past colleagues or employers that vouch for how well-versed you are in some regions of expertise. This will show employers that others have seen value in your work, making them more likely to reach out with job opportunities.
Do Your Research When Looking For Career Changes
Undoubtedly, one of job searchers’ most common mistakes is failing to conduct thorough research before applying for positions. Spend a bit of time researching the opportunities that others with your skillset have secured and the positions where your abilities are required.
Then, take a look at the job openings that are now available and make a note of the pay and benefits that each position offers. This can assist you in making judgments on which path to take, which is particularly useful if you are considering widening your boundaries.
Consider Taking a Career Assessment
Before taking the next step forward in your working life, learn more about yourself and the tasks you are most suited for. Then, when you take a career assessment, you will discover a great deal about yourself and what you should do next in your professional life.
It is not always simple to make decisions about your future professional path. A career evaluation may help by offering objective counsel and direction. It can also help you look for career changes.
If you choose to use the knowledge you obtain from the test, it may be possible for you to make more informed decisions in the future.
Go to Job Fairs When Looking For Career Changes
We would ordinarily be talking about attending job fairs, where you would have the opportunity to interact with prospective employers.
You will learn more about the positions you are considering applying for and create a positive first impression.
However, in many areas, in-person job fairs are not possible. So, you may attend virtual ones, and these can be very different as you begin looking for career changes.
Currently, it is one of the most effective methods of connecting with potential employers. However, the most important thing to remember is that just because you are not there in person does not mean it should not be taken seriously.
Here Are A Few Quick Tips For Attending A Virtual Job Fair
- Dress to impress. Just because you are going from the comfort of your own home does not mean you should not dress appropriately.
- When looking for a career change, make sure your technology is up-to-date and functional. There is nothing worse than fiddling around with cameras, audio, and other faulty equipment. Before you begin, double-check that everything is in working order.
- Prepare your CV and references in advance. If you strike up a good rapport with a potential employer, they may request that you send your paperwork over immediately. If you have them ready to go, you will appear enthusiastic, precisely what they desire.
- Research the companies that are attending. Once you have registered for a position, you should be able to view a list of the companies attending.
- Make sure you study the companies. Then, you can ask them questions and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm.
Looking for Career Change? Explore New Business Options
If you are not finding what you love to do for someone else, why not consider starting your own small business? It will give you the freedom to explore more of what you love. This could be the perfect option when looking for career change options.
You could always start part-time and build a full-time business if you are still working.
Looking for Career Changes: Final Thoughts
Changing careers is a big decision, and it’s normal to feel both excited and nervous. What matters most is being honest with yourself about your goals, values, and skills.
Take the time to evaluate what you truly want from your next step—better work-life balance, more meaningful work, or higher earning potential. Remember, it’s not about having everything figured out at once.
Small, intentional moves—like networking, taking a class, or updating your resume—can lead to significant progress. Most importantly, stay open to learning and adapting because growth happens unexpectedly.
This isn’t about making a perfect choice; it’s about choosing a path that feels right for you now, with room to adjust.
So are you looking for career changes or to start new biz in this year? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
