Most of us start our careers thinking there’s only one direction – get your foot in the door, and move up from there. That way of thinking limits our prospects, though. With all the resources we have for learning new skills, making connections, and starting our own businesses, women can gain so much more from keeping our options open. The most important thing is to have an open mind and understand the steps required to make a move.
So What Does it Take to…
Start Your Own Business?
If you like to solve problems, are tenacious and regimented, and are willing to take risks, then starting and running your own business may be right for you. Your options for becoming an entrepreneur are virtually limitless, and one increasingly popular option for women is to start a side gig. If you have a craft or talent you enjoy in your spare time, this is your opportunity to turn it into a marketable product or service. Or use your skills by starting a web-based business like a blog or by becoming a virtual assistant. According to CNBC, starting a side gig is also an excellent way to improve your overall business skills.
Whether you’re starting something on the side or launching a startup that you plan on working full time, launching a business requires a plan. Once you have an idea, you’ll need to conduct market research and then put together a solid business plan, which you’ll need regardless of whether you’re getting into ride-sharing or putting together an eCommerce shop that utilizes a dropshipping model. Then, you can work on sorting out the financial side of things, such as determining startup costs and financing options, along with day-to-day operations like how you’ll take payments from customers.
Make a Career Change?
If you feel stuck in your career, and don’t see opportunities for getting unstuck, it may be time for a change. Sometimes we hold ourselves back out of fear, but these fears are usually based on myths about switching careers. Maybe you worry that you’ll have to start at the bottom or that you won’t get hired.
Don’t assume these myths are true. Making a switch mid-career is increasingly common, and completely doable, but the key to success is having a plan, just as you would if you were starting a business. According to Forbes, the first step to figuring out your direction is to take a step back from what you’re doing and look at yourself with a broader perspective. What matters most in your life? What are your skills, your strengths, and weaknesses?
The next step is to determine how you can get from where you are to where you want to be. Identify transferable skills and any training you may need. Consider searching for unpaid positions that help you develop those new skills, like an internship or volunteer work. It’s also critical that you start meeting people in your new field. Networking in a new field can feel intimidating, but meeting people unlocks a world of opportunities – not just for landing a job but also for learning and growing into the new career you’ve chosen.
Of course, having a plan is smart, but don’t let the planning stage keep you from taking the plunge. At some point, the most successful women have decided to leap into a new opportunity even if they aren’t 100 percent sure they’re ready.
Land a Promotion?
If you’re happy in your field but know that you’re capable of more, start working toward the next level. Going for a promotion is a lot like making a career change because you’re aiming for a role that’s new to you. The best way to prepare for the job is to take on roles that allow you to learn and develop new skills. Leadership is a crucial skill for many upper-level positions, but you don’t have to be at the top to demonstrate your ability to be a leader.
The reality is that all of these paths require the same steps – planning, networking, learning, and developing yourself as a leader. Whichever direction you choose, moving your career forward will have a powerful impact on your business (and life) prospects. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but there’s no better time to start than the present.
