| 1. Decide if you really want to change | | | | them to ask you questions that you think your |
| Making a career change is a big step. Make sure you | | | | prospective employer might ask and practice |
| are doing it for the right reasons. | | | | answering them. Consider some of the general |
| List all of the reasons you want to change and then | | | | questions that might be asked such as your greatest |
| see if there is any way that you can resolve those | | | | strengths and weaknesses, and practice answering |
| issues within your current career. For example, if you | | | | these as well. Ask your friend for feedback. |
| want more money, is there a way to get a promotion | | | | 6. Final Preparations |
| or earn more doing the same thing but for a different | | | | Check on the dress code. If in doubt go for |
| organisation? If your job is too stressful, can you | | | | professional. Don't forget the little touches such as |
| reduce the stress by changing the way you work? | | | | clean shoes, haircut, clean nails etc. Be careful of |
| 2. Analyse yourself | | | | overpowering perfume or aftershave. |
| What are the most important values in a career for | | | | Make sure you have the right date and time. |
| you? Is a big salary important? Or flexible working | | | | Make sure you know where the interview is and how |
| hours? How important is prestige? | | | | long it will take for you to get there. Make sure you are |
| Then list your interests. What are your hobbies? What | | | | there in plenty of time. |
| other things do you like to do when you are not | | | | Take along your notepad, a copy of your CV and any |
| working? | | | | other paperwork that you may need during your |
| The review your job skills. List out everything that you | | | | interview. |
| do and the skills that support it. Rate them based on | | | | 7. It's OK to be nervous |
| how good you are and how much you enjoy it. | | | | Interviews are stressful and it's natural to be nervous. |
| This should give you a pretty good idea of the types | | | | The people interviewing you will understand that and |
| of career that may be of interest | | | | will make allowances for it. Be yourself and try to be |
| 3. Research the market | | | | relaxed. If you have a lack of self confidence check |
| Before you start applying find out what the options | | | | out our report '5 tips for improving your self |
| are. Check out what is going on in your chosen | | | | confidence'. Humour can be useful to deal with the |
| industry, whether it is growing or not. Subscribe to | | | | stress but be careful about a nervous laugh. |
| industry relevant magazines, check the newspapers | | | | 8. Make a good first impression |
| and, of course, scour the web for news. Start of with | | | | You should have already prepared yourself to look |
| the list of possible careers from Step 2 and narrow it | | | | your best so now enter the interview with confidence, |
| down. | | | | give a firm handshake and good eye contact. |
| If you have decided that you want to work for a | | | | 9. Show enthusiasm |
| specific organisation then contact them to find out | | | | Employers generally want to employ people that are |
| what opportunities may exist. Try to get to know | | | | enthusiastic. Show your enthusiasm. This will be easier |
| someone within the organisation that can keep you up | | | | because you have already researched the |
| to date. | | | | organisation, you have considered the questions you |
| 4. Polish your CV | | | | may be asked and have practiced answering them. |
| Your CV is your foot in the door. The chances are | | | | You know why you want the job and you know what |
| that you will be one of many applicants applying for | | | | skills and experience you can bring to it. |
| any job and your CV needs to stand out maximise | | | | 10. Success guaranteed. |
| your chances of getting that all important interview. | | | | If we learn from something then we never fail. You |
| Keep you CV simple. Focus on the skills that you have | | | | may not get the first job that you go for, or the |
| gained in each role and turn any negatives into | | | | second. This doesn't mean that you have failed or that |
| positives (failures can be valuable if you have learned | | | | you weren't good enough for the job. It just means |
| lessons from them) but be careful not to lie about your | | | | that someone else was better ON THAT DAY. |
| previous experiences or skills. Tailor your CV for each | | | | Make sure that you learn from each experience. What |
| application to focus on the area that potential job | | | | went well? What didn't go well? If you have been |
| deems important. | | | | advised that you did not get the job then ask the |
| 5. Prepare for the interview | | | | organisation if they are prepared to give you feedback |
| OK, so your CV has got you in the door. Now make | | | | on how your application and interview went. Refine |
| the most of the opportunity. Find out about the | | | | you approach and move on. |
| organisation. What are their goals? What is their | | | | Summary |
| vision? Research their industry and history. Think up | | | | Decide if change is really what you want. Analyse |
| some good questions to ask and make a note of | | | | yourself, what you want, want you are interested in |
| them to take with you. | | | | and what you are good at. Research the market and |
| Understand the role in detail. How do your skills and | | | | understand the options. Polish your CV and tailor it for |
| experience relate to the role and make you a good | | | | each job application. Prepare well for the interview, do |
| candidate? What unique skills or traits do you have | | | | your research, practice and consider the questions you |
| that make you an outstanding candidate? Think about | | | | will be asked. Understand what you bring to the role |
| why you want this job and be prepared to answer | | | | and why you want it. Make a good impression, be |
| that question. | | | | enthusiastic and be yourself. Learn from your |
| Practice the interview. Ask a friend to help you, get | | | | experiences and refine your approach. |