Changing careers can be a rewarding experience for many employees disillusioned with their current job, however it is important not to try to change career for the wrong reasons as this will harm your career rather than improve it. With that in mind it is worth scrutinizing the 5 questions below and answer them honestly to be sure that you are making an informed decision that will see your career reap the rewards they deserve.

1. Are you changing careers because of salary reasons?

Certain careers and industries pay higher salaries because of the stress that goes with them, so if you do change career and are earning a higher salary but hate the job you will find yourself looking to switch careers again in a short space of time and that will not look well on your resume.

2. Are you changing careers because you dislike your job?

If you dislike your boss or your company that does not necessarily mean you dislike the career you are in, so get to the root of your unhappiness before deciding on whether you truly want to move careers or not.

3. Are you prepared to prove yourself all over again?

A change in career usually means investing time, training and effort in trying to prove yourself in a new industry, quite often with a reduction in salary to start off with. Make sure that you take all these factors into account before firming up on a final decision on whether to switch careers or not.

4. Do you know what you truly want to do?

Before making a definitive decision on changing careers make sure that you research the pros and cons in working in that industry. Things to weigh up include opportunities for advancement, average pay within the industry and the economic stability of companies working within that sector.

5. Are my existing skills transferrable?

When changing career it will be of great advantage to you if your existing skills are transferrable to the career you want to work in, so if you are undecided on what career to choose try to find one where your skills are in demand.

Changing careers is a major decision and one that should not be taken lightly, however everyone has a right to work in an environment where they enjoy what they do and feel there is career-progression available, so do not dismiss the thoughts of changing career just make sure you have asked yourself the questions outlined in this post.

Cover letters play an important role in trying to secure a new job. Your resume will showcase your experience but your cover letter will provide you with an opportunity to impress upon the hiring manager the reasons why you want the job along with your suitability for the position. Your cover letter should not be a complete sales pitch as you run the risk of sounding desperate but it should leave the hiring manager with enough information to make him/her very interested in your resume itself.

As with any document you will send to prospective employers you need to ensure that your cover letter is error free, the right length and does not include any inappropriate remarks, the following outline will give you an overview of what information you should include in it.

1) Specify the job title that you are applying for.

The hiring manager could have a number of vacancies that he/she is looking to fill so leave him/her in no doubt by including the job title in your opening remarks.

2) Briefly outline your experience in relation to the role.

Be wary not to make this too long but do add a line or two that demonstrates to the hiring manager that you have the required experience for the job.

3) Make mention of any awards or formal qualifications that might enhance your application.

If the job specification mentions that a degree or some form of higher education would be beneficial then use your cover letter to verify that you have this qualification, similarly if you any industry-related awards then refer to them in your cover letter.

4) Clarify your contact details.

Though your contact information will be on your resume it is no harm to specify on your cover letter how you wished to be contact so include something along the lines of “to contact me during business hours please call my cell phone, in the evening I can be contacted either on my home phone or my cell phone”.

5) Refer to the reasons why the job is of interest to you.

As you come to the end of your cover letter grab the chance to explain (in a quick sentence) the reason why this role appeals to you.

6) Thank the hiring manager.

End your cover letter with a courteous appreciation to the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application and encourage him/her to contact you if he/she has any questions about your application.

Your cover letter should indicate to the hiring manager that you are an enthusiastic, professional candidate, with strong communication skills and provide a favorable first impression on your behalf. if you haven’t already done so then it is worth your while reading a previous post how to write cover letters that grab the recruiters attention.

In an ideal world we would like to believe that the way to get promoted is to work hard, focus on working with a positive attitude and promotions will ensue thereafter, this is not always the case however.  In the competitive world of modern business in this day and age you sometimes need to be proactive in making the next step up the career ladder. Being proactive does not mean knocking on your manager’s door on a constant basis but instead trying to ensure that you stand out from other colleagues when promotion time comes around. Adhering to these 5 tips will help ensure that your name is at the forefront when a new position comes available in your company.

1. Make sure your boss is aware that you are enthusiastic about the company and plan staying there long-term.

You don’t need to wait until your annual review to make your boss aware of your happiness in the organization. If your supervisor knows that you are happy in the company then there is a greater chance of getting a promotion as your supervisor can rely on you staying in the job and thus not have to waste time going through the recruitment process all over again.

2. Use your annual review to provide evidence to show you are deserving of a promotion.

Going to your annual review armed with statistics of your performance and how the company has benefited from your contributions. Confidently, though not arrogantly, say that you feel you are deserving of a new challenge in terms of a promotion, and if there was not one available at present enquire as to what deliverables would need to be met in order to achieve a promotion once one becomes available.

3. Build a good relationship with your boss.

Having a good relationship with your boss will definitely stand you in good stead once an opportunity for a promotion arises. If you have been dismissive towards him/her in the past then your chances of being rewarded with a promotion will be limited.

4. Foster good relationships with key clients.

As your network of clients increases you become more valuable to the employer who will want to ensure that you are happy in your job rather than run the risk of seeing you resign and bringing those key clients with you.

5. Show both leadership skills and an ability to get along with colleagues.

Good leadership skills will boost your chances of being promoted as long as you show those skills in a positive manner that allows you to be a leader without alienating fellow employees. Getting on well with co-workers is important but having the potential to move into a managerial role is equally as important.

Whether the promotion you seek comes in the way of a new job or by an increase in salary make sure you use the tips provided to promote yourself as an employee, get the promotion that you deserve and continue on the path towards happiness at work.

How you sell yourself during a job interview will have a major impact on your chances of success, however it is very important that you do so in the right manner otherwise you run the risk of sounding desperate which might be a major turn-off for the prospective employer. In order to be in a prime position to showcase your ability you need to fully understand the job description and be aware of the most important criteria in the description.

1)  Build a rapport from the start.

From the minute you enter the interview room you are being scrutinized so make sure you make a good first impression. Be positive, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, relaxed smile and do likewise to any other staff members who may be in attendance at the interview.

 2)  Use examples to your advantage.

If you have a good understanding of the job description then you will have a fair idea of what areas the interview will focus upon. Have examples ready to support your answers, there are fewer things more powerful to back-up your statements than examples that will prove to the interviewer that you have the relevant experience that he/she is looking for.

 3)  Have research done on the company.

One of the questions that you will most likely be asked is “why do you want to work for us?”, in your answer demonstrate to the interviewer that you have spent time researching the company. A thoughtful response based on information garnered from the company’s website will be appreciated by the interviewer.

 4)  Be relaxed.

Talking in a relaxed confident tone where you are in control of your speech will stand you in good stead with the interviewer, it will demonstrate a level of confidence and show that you have belief in what you are talking about.  Be mindful not to be overly relaxed mind you and similarly don’t allow your confidence to interpreted as cockiness.                                                                                                                                                       

 5)  Spend time practicing for your interview.

Study the job description and put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, what questions would you ask based on the description? Write these questions down and use them as a platform to rehearse for the job interview, like with most things, you will find that the more you practice the more confident you will become, thus ensuring an assured interview. 

To truly sell yourself in a job interview you need to prove to the interviewer that you have the talent and energy for the role and are also the right fit for their company. You will achieve this by avoiding common interview mistakes, by conveying your passion for the job and by having a friendly approach, leaving the interviewer in no doubt that you would be a perfect fit to gel with existing team members.