How do you feel about your current job? Does it fulfil you and are you proud of what you do? Or maybe it just leaves you feeling a bit underwhelmed, under-challenged or under par? Or perhaps it makes you feel overwhelmed, over challenged and over the top? 

Is it time you looked for a new career? Maybe you’re thinking about going back to work or to start work for the first time. Either way, knowing where to start is overwhelming in itself. So here’s our tips on starting a new career, where to look, what to wear for an interview, how to prepare and more…

• You’re going to be writing a lot of lists so set aside some quiet time and use a spreadsheet or a pad and paper. First up, think about your interests. Are you passionate about the environment? Education? Fitness? Caring for others? 
• Next, write down all the things you enjoy doing, without thinking about how they might serve you in your career just yet. Then record next to them all the skills these things require. For instance, reading requires concentration, doing crosswords requires focus, debating with friends needs reasoning skills. These are the things that you’re naturally good at. 
• Now list out all your experience and qualifications - not necessarily work related, include any volunteering, training or study that you’ve done in the past. Add any transferable skills here too - looking after a toddler requires patience and time management skills! 
• It’s now time to think about jobs. What jobs are a match for your passions, talents, skills, experience and qualifications? Do an internet search for “job skills” or “what job matches my skills” or use a job profile tool to discover where your talents and passions might be best used. Narrow down your list of potentially suitable careers to three or four. 
• Do some intensive research on each career in your narrowed down list. Search “what is it like being [insert job title]” and you’ll find lots of information from people in the know. You might find that you change your mind, if you do, cross that one off the list. Glassdoor is really helpful for finding out about companies, salaries and interview questions.