Top tips for exploring your next career step

Making a career change or going back to paid work can feel challenging, but you’ve got this! Pull up a chair and a cool beverage, and check out these suggestions from Claire Harris, Director of Human Quotient Group.

Be kind to yourself

Making a change, thinking about what really matters now and considering your return to ‘the office’ (if you choose) can be fun! Celebrate your intentions and your progress to date.

The Australian Blueprint for Career Development includes 12 key things to learn so you can better manage your career. The first one: “Building and maintaining a positive self-concept” means knowing who you are, your attitudes and behaviours, and who you want to be in future. 

Reflect and document

Look at your skills, values, interests and priorities. Then explore where you want to go next. There are many fantastic and FREE tools. Search online for values cards exercises, character strengths assessments, yourcareer.gov.au and skill finder.

Caution: Rethink studying (again). With growing awareness of transferrable skills (which Defence/veteran spouses often have in spades), you might not actually need to do more study. But, if you do, explore short courses to get up to speed rapidly. It may also be beneficial to consider any existing skills which may be used for RPL towards qualifications.

Go online

Explore opportunities online. See what others in your network are doing. Update your CV and LinkedIn and highlight transferable skills (what about project management, organisational skills, dealing with conflict?). Be proud of your unique journey.

Network

Reconnect with old colleagues, explore companies that reflect your values, expand your circle, join groups and attend local events. Sometimes who you know opens doors. 

Ask for what you want

If you need to work part-time or flexible hours, ask. Even if a job is advertised full-time, most workplaces are flexible and will adapt if they can.

Find support programs

Look for career services tailored to Defence/veteran partners. Programs like Cowork Coplay (www.coworkcoplay) and many others have your back!

A career is defined as a lifestyle concept that involves work, learning, and leisure activities across the lifespan. Careers are dynamic, unique to each person, and involve balancing paid and unpaid work and personal life roles.