What Do You Want To Do ?
Whether you are starting your career, looking for growth, or looking to switch careers, define for yourself what you would like to do. There are many ways to get this done: introspection, writing down your career expectations and goals; speak with your professional network such as trusted co-workers, mentors; discuss with friends and family. Writing things down, establishing goals, and establishing timelines to reach your goals can be highly effective.
Informational Interviewing
Meet with people who do the job you are interested in doing. This is more for recent college graduates or those interested in an entirely new career. For example, if you are interested in advertising, meet with people who work at ad agencies. Meet with account managers, copywriters, creative directors, and agency leaders. Learn about why they were interested in the ad business, how they got into advertising, what their career path has been, advice for you to join the industry. The book What Color Is Your Parachute has sections on informational interviewing.
For Those Starting A Career Or Thinking Of Significant Career Change
Read What Color Is Your Parachute. If you are looking to find a new career, there are many resources online that can help; do some searches through Google and review the results. If you are looking to find a career or are looking to change careers completely, one terrific source to truly identify your path is What Color Is Your Parachute. This workbook is like taking a class; it requires reading, writing, and effort. But the book has a lot to teach and can help you identify a great career.
Sometimes, making a significant career change can mean two steps back to move one step forward. If you are interested in leaving a career in one industry to do something new in a completely different industry, or are completely changing job functions, these moves may require you to accept a position at a lower level where you are now. There are many exceptions, but if a move to something entirely different to what you are doing now both in job function and industry, you may have to make that move at a lower compensation level. You may possess transferable skill sets, but may not have the experience and industry knowledge others possess who are going for the same job. This is not an absolute; many people go from leading sales or operations in one industry to leading a company or division in another. Some changes may result in an increase in both career satisfaction and income. Do your research and determine what salary ranges are available for the jobs you want.
Here are some general salary guides. To get more information, during your search reach out to HR teams and recruiters who can give you some more detailed info on salaries.
https://www.moneyunder30.com/best-salary-information-websites
https://www.linkedin.com/salary/