Published: Monday, 25th January, 2010 10:51am

Career Changing Rules

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Changing your career can be an invigorating and refreshing experience. Most people find it a daunting task and the thought of taking the risk stops many people from making a positive change in their life.

Many things are possible in life if you put your mind to it. We have sourced four key rules that you should follow when considering a change in career -

1.Why do you want to change career?

Be sure to identify your motives in wanting to make a career change. If you do not, you run the risk of coming up against the same issues you are experiencing in your current role.

Understand what aspects of your job you want to change and why - is it your salary, your job content or career development?

2.Look to make as logical a step as possible...

You must clearly identify the transferable skills that will lead to your success your new industry and career. You should align your CV, application and present yourself at interview with this in mind

It may sound like obvious advice but most people forget to focus on their transferable skills. These are without doubt vital to your success. Future employers will be looking for skills such as - Analysis & Decision Making, Commercial Awareness, Creativity, Customer Focus, Influence & Communication, Leadership & Team Working, Planning & Organising, Self-Management whether working in a full time or part time job (see http://www.uktemps.co.uk for ideas).

3.Research and Know your job before you get it!

Irrelevant of what change you make, it is imperative that your knowledge of the company, industry, relevant news, competition, jargon, skills needed and attitudes / culture are second to none.

Research can now easily be done online yet quite often speaking to people directly will prove to have a greater impact in terms of your understanding.

The better versed you are, the more convincing you will be.

4.Great CV's and clever applications matter.

CV's are powerful sales tools and therefore you need to ensure that your CV "sells" you brilliantly. It must be clean and commercial, emphasizing your successes your have achieved and alluding to how your experience can get you where you want to go.

Your application must emphasize your skills and experience that are transferable and will be vital in your new career. Past successes ansd achievements MUST relate specifically to the job in question and you should leave out all irrelevant points.

If you follow these guides and approach your career change with confidence and enthusiasm then you will make most of the opportunities that you make. It will come down to you at the end of that day, some get lucky, most have to work to create their luck and that typically requires hard work and commitment.