These jobs are on the rise – but are they right for you?

To investigate job trends during the pandemic, LinkedIn conducted some research into which roles experienced the highest growth between April to October 2020, compared to the previous year. They produced reports by country and the top 10 for the UK are shown below.

The shift to digital is interesting and perhaps reveals some underlying themes based on how our ‘normal’ has changed. But how useful are these trends if you’re seeking to shift into more fulfilling work?

These reports reflect the jobs market, but there are no similar reports on what YOU need to create a career that plays to your strengths, expresses your values and offers you a sense of purpose. 

Only you can know those metrics.

But have you ever stopped to think about your own measures or have you been driven more by what you CAN do (your skills) and who’s hiring?

Instead of accepting the idea that you are a package of skills that might fit the needs of a particular advertised role, why not flip that idea and ask what career or way of working would best fit you?

What are your metrics?

How your career developed before the pandemic is one part of your life, and what follows has yet to be created. If you want to be more intentional about the direction and shape your career takes next, the first question I want to ask is this:

1. What do you want to keep from your career before the pandemic, and what do you want to reduce or even discard?

A second aspect of the same question is:

2. What has Covid taught you about *how you prefer to work *what you dislike about your current work conditions?

And the natural next question is:

3. What are you actively thinking about changing?

Take just 15 quiet minutes to answer these questions will give yourself the chance to think!

You’ll also reveal some important clues if you want to create a different career.

What would-be career changers are asking

Since Covid struck, I’ve had some really interesting discovery calls with potential career changers who are trying to answer some of these questions. The pandemic has given them the nudge they needed to rethink their working lives.

Very often, they come onto the call with a particular ‘problem’ on their minds. It might be:

·      I’m unhappy in my work, but don’t know what else I can do

·      I have a couple of alternative new careers in mind, but don’t know which to choose – or even if they’d actually be any better

·      I really want to follow the dream I’ve had for a while – but doubt it can be practical

·      How can I sort out the conflicting priorities that I’m experiencing – AND build a fulfilling career?

·      How can I be sure I’ve really explored ALL my options?

·      I don’t know what I really want – so can’t make the changes I feel I need

·      I’ve created a successful career, but now feel restless – what’s happening?

·      I’ve got too many ideas – but don’t know if any are viable and which to choose

All reveal a common problem – lack of clarity about what they really need to feel happy in their lives and fulfilled at work. Their lives have moved on so much since they began their careers, and their needs have probably changed. So it’s essential to go back to the most important question of all:

What do you want your work to do for you?

Reveal your individual measures 

If you’re seeking greater fulfillment at work, here are the best questions to ask:

1. What roles use your greatest strengths, align with your values and give a rewarding sense of purpose? 

2. Which jobs reflect your interests and motivate you best?

3. What kind of life you want to create and what kind of work can deliver and enable that?

When you can answer these questions, you know what you’re really looking for – and can start creating a practical path to make that transition. Of course employment trends are important and they provide an indication of where you might find it easiest to secure new work. But for many people that isn’t the question they’re really trying to answer.

The skills, experience and successes you’ve had already will help you make the move into a new profession or sector. Less a case of starting from scratch and more harnessing your achievements to a new star - one you’ve consciously chosen for yourself.

These are just some of the factors we explore in my career change programme. You can read more about the coaching or self-study versions here and if you want to know more, just drop me a message and we can set up a free 30-min career consultation to understand what your next steps could be.

Do you know where you’re heading - and whether it’s the best direction for you? I’d love to hear from you.