5 Things For Your To Do List Before Changing to A Work-From-Home Career
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So, you’ve decided that it’s time to leave the 9-5 behind and become a work-from-home parent. Congratulations!
Changing careers is a major life decision, especially when you’re juggling family responsibilities and the need for income. So get off to a good start by taking care of these five things to do before considering a career change.
Maybe you decided to shift paths because of dissatisfaction with your current job, a need for a better work-life balance, or wanting to do something more fulfilling. In any case, taking the leap is easier if you give it careful planning and consideration first. Going through these steps can help you make the right decision for you and your family.
1. Think About Your Current Circumstances
It might be tempting to dive right in and start looking for new opportunities right away. But it can help to evaluate your present job, first. Are you unhappy because of the job itself, or are there other factors at work, like inflexible hours that don’t fit your family’s needs?
There are many reasons most people want to work from home. Knowing why you want to leave your current job can make it easier to figure out what you’ll need from a work-from-home career.
Once you’re clear on your goals, it’s a good time to assess how stable your family finances are. You might also want to look at the day- to-day stress in your current job and how satisfying it is overall.
It might be that you make things better with some simple changes—like requesting fewer meetings, more flexible hours, or a hybrid situation. You might also be able to start by taking on a side hustle rather than make a complete career pivot right away. And that would give you security and time to make a shift that really suits you.
2. What Are Your Skills and Interests?
So, what’s next if you look at your situation and decide you really do need to make a change as soon as possible? It’s a good idea to evaluate your strengths. What types of projects energize you? Which drain you?
Remember that you have many skills that don’t fit into your current job description. As a parent, you probably use these every day. Some examples are your ability to lead teams, solve problems, organize, and facilitate communication.
Take some time to look back on past activities you’ve really enjoyed, too. What hobbies are you drawn to? Are there moments where you’ve felt genuinely fulfilled? If you align your strengths and interests with possible career paths, you’ll have a better chance of making a choice that resonates – personally and professionally.
If you want more guidance on this step, check out our 20 ways to look before you leap into a new work-from-home career.
3. Look Into New Fields
Once you have a better idea of the kind of work you’d like to do from home, take some time to explore your options. Look into careers that are a good fit for your skills and passions, and examine pathways to enter those fields.
Platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor can help you look into work-from-home careers, earning potential, and growth opportunities in the fields that catch your interest. You can also use your research time to find out what qualifications or certifications you’ll need for your career matches, and how to acquire them. For example, you could check out our training page for legit online work-from-home courses.
4. Network With Professionals In Your Dream Field
The saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” can be very true when you want to shift to a work-from-home life. So another smart thing to do before considering a career change is to expand your network.
If you’re wondering how to pull this off when you don’t like (or have time for!) socializing, our article on how to network as an introvert can help. Meeting professionals in the area you’re interested in can help you with resources, contacts, and support from those further along in their journey.
5. Update Your Resume
Before you start your work-from-home shift, you’ll want your resume to show that you’re ready for action in your new field. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated it, revamp your resume for today’s job market so that potential employers or clients can see you have what they need.
Consider adding freelance gigs, certifications, volunteer work, or projects that demonstrate your commitment to developing the skills that matter in your desired career. For instance, if you want to work as a graphic designer, you’ll want to share your relevant education, what programs you’re proficient in, and a portfolio of your work.
If you’re not sure where to start, our article on creating a freelance resume can help you get the ball rolling.
Conclusion
Once you’ve decided that a change to a work-from-home is best for you and your family, it’s time to be sure you’re mentally and financially prepared for the transition. It can help to have some savings, because it can take some time to build a thriving home business. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to do the things that will help make considering your work-from-home career change a lot less scary.