Sick of your job? Here's how to successfully transition to something better

Let’s be real—your job kinda sucks. You’re tired of breaking your back for peanuts while dreaming of something better. Time is money and too damn much time has passed for too little money. Maybe what you actually want is a cushy office gig, or a startup where you don’t have to break your back, or just a job where you’re not treated like a some number on a spreadsheet. Whatever it is, I’m here to help you figure out how to make the switch without all the corporate hoops. Here’s the no-BS guide to getting you something that you actually want, to help you pivot effectively, and make the leap into a new career successfully

1. Self-assessment

Understand your motivations and why you’re really thinking of making moves

Before making a career change, it's crucial to understand why you want to switch paths, so take a minute to figure out what’s driving you nuts. Do you hate the hours? The pay? The people? Get clear on what’s making you want to leave so you don’t end up in the same situation somewhere else. Consider the following questions:

• What really interests you and what’s your true goal?
  Determine what drives you and what you’re passionate about. It can’t be something basic like “make money.” Dig deep. Think about what you spend most of your free (or work) time actually paying attention to and enjoying.

• What skills do you have, and how can they be transferred?
  What skills do you have? Also think about what you’re ok at. You can always get better… or act like you’re better than you are. Fake it till you make it.

• What do you dislike about your current job?
  You probably hate your current job for some reason. It’s super important that you make you pinpoint exactly why that’s the case. Seriously. I understand that you hate life there, but go as many layers deep as you can and figure out the root of that hate:

  I hate this job → because my boss sucks→ he/she’s an asshole→they micromanage→they don’t give recognition for the work I put in or my accomplishments→I’m getting paid too little for the amount of work I do… and so on and so forth.

  Get as specific as you can so you have the real things you hate about your job. That way you can do a better job avoiding it in your next role. It’ll also help you clarify your goals and align them with your various potential career options.

2. Figure out what you actually want to do

Once you’ve nailed down what sucks about your job, start thinking about what doesn’t. Maybe you want to sit in a clean office with one of those Herman Miller spinny office chairs, AC blasting, in front of high def monitor and not have the sun on your back and the Big Man breathing down your neck with his stank ahhh breath. Or maybe you’re eyeing a job that doesn’t make you pop a blood vessel in your eye every time your boss hits you up.

Here’s how to get the the info you’re looking for:

• Look at what’s hot: Find out which industries are blowing up and need people like you.

• Check your skills: See what you’re good at and how it can fit into a new gig. You've got way more to bring to the table than you realize.

• Don’t repeat mistakes: Know what you hate about your current job so you don’t end up hating your new one. History tends to repeat itself if you don’t make any real changes.

3. Level up

Get the skills your need or fake it if you can

Transitioning to a new career often requires updating your skills or acquiring new ones. Here are some ways to retrain effectively:

• Online Courses and Certifications: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses across various fields. Earning a certification can boost your credibility in a new industry. And there are tons of free services and courses you can take at this point.

• Workshops and Bootcamps: Intensive training programs, especially in tech and digital marketing, can provide hands-on experience and practical skills. If you’re looking to get into tech, these can get you job-ready fast.

• Volunteer or Intern: If you, for whatever reason, have some time to spare, gain experience by volunteering or interning in your target industry to build your resume and network. Probably not a super realistic thing to do, because who has literally any free time these days and we got bills to pay, but it is an option.

• Mentorship: Seek out mentors in your desired field who can offer guidance and advice on skill development. Honestly, even just hit up some people on LinkedIn. You’d be surprised how often people will be helpful if you don’t want to sell them anything and only want to get their opinion or guidance. People want to feel good about themselves, so let them do that by helping you. Win-win!

4. Network like you mean it

Something you’ve probably learned to be true: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Networking is a powerful tool for career changers. Building a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights. Here’s how to network effectively:

• LinkedIn isn’t just for suits: Seriously, I can’t stress this enough, if you don’t have a LinkedIn yet, stop what you’re doing and create a profile. Worst case scenario, it just sits there and is never used. Best case, you add some additional legitimacy to yourself and your accomplishments. So update your profile and start connecting with people in the field you want to break into. Make sure your profile reflects your career interests and then connect with professionals in your target industry. Participate in groups and discussions related to your field of interest. Just get busy, get seen.

• Show up and attend industry events: Join webinars, workshops, and conferences to meet people and learn about industry trends.

• Informational Interviews: Reach out to individuals in roles you’re interested in and ask them stuff—it can be anything about the job or industry. This can provide insights into the day-to-day realities of the job and help you make informed decisions.

• Networking Groups: Join professional associations or networking groups that align with your new career goals.

5. Fix your resume and cover letter

When transitioning careers, your resume and cover letter need to reflect your transferable skills and enthusiasm for the new field. With that said, I’ll assume yours need a makeover. Here’s how to make them stand out:

#1 thing you need to do: utilize the free AI tools (or paid if you’re feelin saucy) to help beef it up with relevant info. Something like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can kill it in this scenario. Use them to:

• Highlight Transferable Skills: Focus on skills and experiences relevant to your new career. Use specific examples to show how what you’ve been doing can translate to what you want to do.

• Don’t Lie: But you can definitely bend the truth and fluff things up. If other people are doing it, and they definitely are, it’s only fair that you do too. Just make sure you’re not lying about huge things like certifications. Can’t have you at the operating table with a GED. Say you make more than you do, or that you manage people even if it was just directing people that one time, or whatever. Just make sure it doesn’t come back to bite you in the ass.

• Show you’re adaptable: Emphasize your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new environments. They need to see you’re not just some one-trick pony.

• Be passionate: Let them know why you’re pumped to make this switch. Convey your enthusiasm for the new career path and explain why you’re passionate about making the change.

• Customize for Each Application: I know it’s pretty much impossible these days considering even getting a response from a company feels impossible, but that’s what ChatGPT is for.

  Here’s how you do it in ChatGPT:

• Copy/paste the text from your resume into ChatGPT or attach the file

• Then say “change my resume and cover letter to a fit this job description.”

• Then you copy/paste the job description and hit enter. ChatGPT will do the rest. Just try to make sure ChatGPT didn’t say some wild shit because it definitely can. It has been known to add nonsense and totally make things up, so might want to proof read if/when possible.

6. Don’t screw up the interview (easier said than done)

Interviews are your chance to show you’ve got what it takes. Here’s how to make sure you don’t blow it:

• Do your homework: Know the company, know the role, and be ready to talk about why you’re the best fit. Do as much research as you can. Seriously, DON’T WING IT. Recruiters and companies can tell if you’re unprepared, and if being unprepared is their first impression of you, then good luck.

• Prepare for the tough questions: Be ready to explain why you’re making a career switch and how your old job skills transfer over. You can even use you’re new AI buddy ChatGPT to spitball interview Q and A’s. Tell it about the interview, the job, whatever, and ask it to tell you what kind of questions they’ll probably ask and how you should answer them. But, make sure you only use it’s words as guidance, not a script. It is a robot, after all, and you don’t want to sound like a weirdo.

• Ask questions that matter: Don’t just sit there. Ask about the stuff you care about—work culture, pay, the works. Remember, YOU’RE INTERVIEWING THEM AS WELL. The only thing worse than not getting the job is getting a job that you’ll hate. Unless you’re broke…. then it’s not worse. Been there, so I get it. Take what you can get and collect that paycheck while you find something better, if that’s the case.

• Research the Company: Understand the company’s mission, values, and industry position.

• Practice Common Interview Questions: Prepare for questions about your career change, such as why you’re making the switch and how your past experiences will benefit the company.

• Highlight Transferable Skills: Clearly articulate how your skills apply to the new role and provide examples of past successes.

• Ask Thoughtful Questions: Show your interest in the role by asking insightful questions about the company and the position.

7. Here are a bunch of questions you can ask them during your interview

Here are some of the best questions you can ask them. It’ll make you look impressive but will also give you an actual idea about what it’ll be like to work that job. Remember, it’s not only about looking lit, it’s also about making sure you won’t hate your life if you get that job:

1. What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?

This helps you understand the daily responsibilities and what the company expects from you.

2. How do you measure success in this position?

This question gives insight into the company's expectations and how they evaluate performance. It also gives you an idea if they’re full of shit and if they have actual structure or not.

3. What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?

Understanding potential obstacles helps you gauge whether you're prepared for the position and gives you a sense of the company's pain points.

4. How would you describe the company culture?

This question helps you gauge job stability and understand if there are any underlying issues with the role or company culture that led to the position being vacated. If the person in this role leaves every 2 months, it may kinda suck.

5. Can you tell me about the team I’d be working with?

Knowing more about your future colleagues helps you see how well you'd fit in with the team.

6. What are the company's goals for the next year, and how does this role contribute?

This shows you're thinking about how you can add value and your interest in the company's future.

7. How do you support professional development and career growth?

This indicates that you're serious about your career progression and want to know if the company invests in its employees.

8. What are the next steps in the interview process?

This shows you're interested in moving forward and gives you a timeline for when you can expect to hear back.

9. How does the company approach work-life balance?

It's important to understand the company's stance on work-life balance to see if it aligns with your needs.

10. What do you enjoy most about working here?

Asking this personal question can give you a sense of what keeps employees motivated and engaged at the company. People also really enjoy talking about themselves, so let em rip.

11. How has the company evolved over the last few years?

This helps you gauge the company's stability, growth, and direction.

12. What is the onboarding process like for new employees?

This gives you an idea of how the company helps new hires acclimate and succeed.

13. Is there anything about my background or experience that concerns you?

This bold question gives you a chance to address any potential reservations the interviewer might have before you leave the room.

Hang in there. You got this.

Transitioning or switching up your career is a major move that takes serious planning, dedication, and commitment. It’s tough out there, so you gotta stay strong. If you know what drives you, get the right skills, and connect with the right people, you can totally pull off a career switch. Just keep an open mind and be ready to learn along the way for some major personal and career growth.

TL;DR:

Your job sucks, and you’re ready for something better. It’s time to make the switch to a job you actually want without jumping through corporate hoops. First, figure out what’s driving you nuts about your current gig and what you really want to do. Then, level up your skills, network like a pro, and polish your resume. Nail the interview by preparing smartly, and ask the right questions to make sure the new job doesn’t suck too. It’s tough, but with some real planning and hustle, you can get the career you actually want.