You’ve been noticing the signs — lack of direction, passion or forward momentum. You want to be challenged more (or maybe less) and you need a deeper sense of purpose in the day-to-day.

These could be signals it’s time for a career change.

Nowadays workers want more diverse experiences, which has led to more frequent turnover and more contract work. For people feeling stagnant in their profession, giving their career a good spring cleaning can help define purpose, direction and rededication. Does this sound like the recharge your career needs? Check out these four tips for planning a successful career change.

 

Feed that entrepreneurial spirit

 

Do you like the idea of setting your own hours and making your own decisions? Being in charge of your career can be a powerful way to explore your untapped potential. Starting an e-commerce business is a great way to explore the world of being your own boss. There are a lot of ways to manage your online business, from pure inventory businesses (where you store, stock and ship merchandise) to dropshipping (where a third party manages all your inventory and shipping). Obviously, dropshipping is a simpler way to start, and it’s less risky. Empowering another company to manage the inventory lets you focus on other aspects of owning your own business, like providing stellar customer service and designing a brilliant, beautiful mobile-friendly website. Just make sure to focus your research on which types of products you want to dropship.

 

Spruce up your resume and portfolio

 

Long before you begin looking for a new career path, you should take the time to update your resume. Of course, adding in work experience and other new, relevant details is important, but this is also a time to thoughtfully analyze your resume. Does it convey who you are and what you are capable of? Can it be simplified? Is there new jargon or technical terminology you should slide into descriptions? Next, take a look at and update your online portfolio, if you have one, and consider making one if you don’t. You don’t have to build a fancy website to showcase your work. LinkedIn is a free, professional social media site where you can create a robust portfolio, search job openings and connect with other professionals and businesses.

 

Engage your network

 

When was the last time you checked in with your references? Now, as you’re planning your next move, is a great time to touch base with your references, catch up with former colleagues and say hello to past clients. You may want to avoid expressing that you are overtly looking for a job, though you’ll want to let your references know they may start getting a few phone calls. For the others, ask how they’ve been, what they’ve been working on and what excites them. Let the conversation organically move from there, and when your window opens up, start to mention your professional experience, goals and aspirations.

 

Become a trusted thought leader

 

No matter what level you are working on, you have something special to offer the world. From entry-level workers to seasoned professionals, the Internet is a place where you can share and showcase your knowledge with the world. Establish yourself as someone who knows their field inside and out by starting a blog. You can snag a free one on websites like Blogger or even post entries on professional sites like LinkedIn. Get creative about your content by thinking about different angles of your work you can share. For example, if you are an experienced administrative assistant, publish a few blogs on organization, time management or communicating with busy people. Do you work in carpentry or construction? Write a blog on DIY-tips or how to assess a good contractor. And if you’re a digital professional, the world wide web is your oyster. You can submit blogs on audience targeting, marketing with integrity or help with strategizing.

Thousands of Americans start a new job every year. In the past, staying with one company for the duration of your career was pretty common. But the tides have turned as more people look to make changes throughout their working life. If you’re ready to elevate your career and get more out of your profession, consider one or more of these ways to get ready to make a successful career leap.

 

 

Julie Morris is a life and career coach who strives to help others live the best lives that they can. She spent years in an unfulfilling career in finance before deciding to help people in other ways. She’s living this passion by the use of her site: http://juliemorris.org/

 

Are you a professional woman looking for connections and opportunities in Central Kentucky? Women Leading Kentucky is the premiere organization for professional women’s networking in Lexington and the surrounding area. We host events online and in-person that will help you extend your network and reach new business partners and opportunities. Join us at our next event!

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