Sodexo Career Connections eNewsletter

Guiding Steps to Your Career: Are You Ready for a Change?
By Karen Graham, Senior Recruiter

Do you dream big? Do you find yourself doing what you have always done and wondering when the best time would be for a change? Are you really ready for a career change or does the grass just seem greener on the other side? Take this quiz to see if you’re ready.

Here are a few things to consider:

Is there opportunity for growth in your current field?
Do you enjoy the work you do each day?
Are your career aspirations driven by your salary or your passions?
Do you need a complete change or more of a challenge in your current industry?

If you think that you’re ready for a change, first you need to take an inventory of your interests and consider a self-assessment quiz to determine the types of careers that will be a good fit for you. While some of these tests require a fee, there are a few that are free.

As you develop your plan, also consider your work/life balance and your basic needs like salary and benefits. Changing careers can mean a change in salary. So, don’t rush out and quit your current job in hot pursuit of your new goals unless you are prepared for the financial impact. The stress may set you back and turn your dreams into nightmares.

Moving into a new career can be challenging if you don’t have the right experience. The good news is that you can gain experience in a new career field through part-time or seasonal positions. The benefit is that you can keep your current job and get a taste of what it would be like in a different environment. You also may consider volunteer opportunities or getting involved in professional associations in the new career field.

Here are some additional resources to help you grow your career:

Showcase the skills that apply to your interest: Writing Your Resume
Network with Recruiters – join us at Sodexo Networks
Join Professional Network Sites: Social Networking
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wages by Area and Occupation
Career OneStop: Explore Career Options

We hope that you have found these tips helpful. One of the benefits of building a career in a company like Sodexo with multiple business segments is that it can make it possible to explore career changes and still stay with the company. Sodexo offers opportunities with numerous career paths and is focused on employee development through formal tuition reimbursement programs and a range of other development programs, including mentoring and Employee Network Groups.

Please stay tuned for more "Guiding Steps to Your Career" in future issues of Sodexo’s Career Connections. If we have sparked your interest in Career Opportunities with Sodexo, view this video for more information on how to apply.