What are my priorities?
Do you love the rush of a changing and dynamic environment with variable hours? Or do you thrive on routine and balance? Consider what sort of work environment would bring you the most fulfilment and contentment. It’s important to think about what you want your day-to-day life to look like, as the reality of many jobs may help you refine your search.
What are my motivations?
Whether you’re thinking about changing careers because you’d like a different lifestyle, to increase your salary, to acquire new skills or to find more of a purpose, think deeply about what’s motivating you.
If you’re financially driven, consider what some of the top-paying professions are. In 2022, four of the top 10 highest paying jobs in Australia were in the IT, business, engineering and legal professions[2]. If you’re more motivated by job stability, consider which jobs are forecast to experience the most demand. The National Skills Commission[3] projects that four sectors will account for nearly 64% of jobs to be created over the next half a decade: health care and social assistance; professional, scientific and technical services; education and training; and accommodation and food services.
What brings me joy?
What do you get excited about? Solving puzzles? The latest tech? Helping your community? Being outdoors? If you enjoy all sorts of things, and are finding it difficult to work out what you want to pursue next, a careers consultant could help clarify your priorities. As an RMIT alumnus, you have access to RMIT’s Job Shop, so consider making an appointment to speak with one of our qualified practitioners about your options.
Who do I know in my desired profession?
If you’re feeling unsure about your next move, a great place to start is by connecting with people in the career you’re interested in, and asking them for their thoughts and advice. What does their average day look like? What do they wish they’d known before they got started? What are their most important skills? By engaging in conversations with experienced professionals, you can learn first-hand what it’s like to work in their field.
As an RMIT alumnus, you have access to our network of successful graduates. Consider finding yourself a mentor or attending an RMIT alumnus networking event.
What are my strengths?
If you’re thinking about pivoting careers, you already have an enormous number of transferable skills. For instance, if you’ve been working in the legal profession, then you have well-developed communication, critical analysis and research skills. If you’re in finance, you have commercial acumen, an aptitude for numbers and a logical mindset. If you’re a designer, you’re good at coming up with creative solutions to problems and communicating things visually.
These skills are assets that will be of value in almost every profession, so think about how you’ll craft your personal narrative when applying for new roles. These skills may be just the right thing to set you apart from other candidates!
What’s my timeframe?
If you’re thinking about a modest shift to a different industry, but in a similar role, undertaking some micro-credentials or short courses could help you improve in areas like digital or data literacy. These quick, stackable courses may give you the kind of skills refresh you need to stand out from the crowd.
If you’re contemplating a complete career change, you may want to consider returning to study. If you require further education to reach your goals, map out how much time you can devote to it and how long it’s likely to take you. Many of RMIT’s postgraduate courses are offered part-time, and partially or fully online, which means they’re more flexible for those in the workforce and are more accommodating of busy schedules.
Transitioning to a new career or industry can seem like a big step, and one that many are hesitant about taking. Is it worth the time and energy? Well, according to a recent survey by Indeed, 88% of career changers report being happier since making their move[4]. Don’t allow indecision to keep you in a role you’re not happy with. With a little preparation and perseverance, you’ll be well on your way to landing the job you really want.
Story: Sophie MacGillivray
[1] Fell, Ashley. “Job mobility in Australia.” Mccrindle, 2020, mccrindle.com.au/article/job-mobility-in-australia/
[2] “The top 15 highest paying careers in Australia.” Monarch, 2022, https://www.monarch.edu.au/blog/the-top-15-highest-paying-careers-in-australia/
[3] “‘Four Cs’ the key to skills demanded by our shifting workforce”, National Skills Commission, 2021, www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/news/four-cs-key-skills-demanded-our-shifting-workforce
[4] Indeed Editorial Team, “Career Change Report: An Inside Look at Why Workers Shift Gears.” Indeed, 2019, www.indeed.com/lead/career-change
